Norm Casey

Early 60’s Norm Casey 9ft Malibu with D Fin.

Dean Hughes

Dean was one of The Point crew of the 70’s, back when surfing The Point was special and there was a Strong camaraderie and respect amongst the regulars. This photo from ’76 by Dave Shaw.

Craig Naylor

Franky during his shaping days at Force 9 Circa mid 80’s photo Chris Stroh

 

 

Peter Solness ’77

Cronulla photographer Peter Solness was years ahead of his time. While most cameraman focused solely on the action Peter chased out the angles and lighting to capture unique photographs not unlike  what almost every surf photographer does today. His night shots and back lit barrels were cutting edge back in the 70’s. This pic taken for brother Geoffs custom Highlight board model  would not look out of place in today’s advertising. Thats Peter silhouetted on the shoreline. Circa ’77.

Terry Steen Cronulla Point ’65

Cronulla Point has always been a haven for surfboard riders since the earliest days. In the early  60’s it was Gary Birdsall, Bobby Brown, Ray “Dags”Greenaway and Graham Ferris that first conquered the difficult tube on their long boards. As boards got a few feet shorter and more maneuverable riders like Terry Steen pictured below were able to angle their boards and get barreled more regularly. Water shots in ’65 were quite rare so this shot taken by Bob Weeks was a classic back then and still one now. From Surfabout Magazine.

Grant Coulter

Every 5 to 10 years a new crew of underground chargers seem to surface and rise to the challenge. In the mid to late 80’s it was Grub Coulter, Chris Iredale, Richard James, Mark Ryan,Kev Cassidy,Michael Mackie and several others who took on Shark Island with a fearless one foot in the grave approach. At the time The Island was still regarded as the heaviest barrel in Australia. This day Grub was notching up some hell pits. Photo Chris Stroh.

Peter Clarke Surfboards Adv. 1970

Gary Hughes

In the mid to late 70’s a young surfer from San Souci called Gary Hughes  name was synonymous with Cronulla Point. At the time The Point had become the focal point of Southside surfing. The big open barrels made great water photos and locals photographers like Steve Core who shot the pic below captured the intense barrels that had been overlooked for many years after Jack Edens mag Surfabout was shelved in the late 60’s. Hughsey was a standout when the Point was at its heaviest but he also had plenty of competition back in those days for waves which helped push performance levels up a few notches.  This photo of a late drop by Gary appeared in Surf Magazine in 1977.

 

Highlight Surfboards ’77

The Highlight Model shaped by Geoff Solness was part of the Gordon and Smith range in the 70’s. Photo by Peter Solness.

Terry Bishop @ Gordon & Smith