Danny Thompson ’76

Danny Thompson bottom turning at Cronulla Point in  ’76 and holding the board while talking to Craig Langston. Check the old school legrope damage that was common with the early rope leashes. Photos by Tim Vanderlaan.

Andrew McKinnon

Queensland surfer Andrew McKinnon had the prestige’s honor of being the last winner of the Bobby Brown Memorial Contest at Cronulla in the early 70’s. The comp ran for 3 years with winners Midget, Frank Latta and then Andrew who  kept the unique bronze sculptured trophy which he proudly displays below.

The Old Wall

Late 70’s a huge storm totally smashed the concrete wall that stretched between North Cronulla and Elouera Beach. Major erosion occured with a large chunk of the coastline vanished in the storms. This photo by Tim Vanderlaan you can see the extent of the damage to the headland was taken late 70’s prior to the development of the new wall that still exists today.

 

‘

Michael Jackson

Michael was a member of the Cronulla Junior Boardriders Club which surfaced in 1978 and it brought together the hottest grommets in Cronulla at the time including a young Occy it was to be their first contest grounding. MJ went on to be a stand out in local events, regionals and State titles. Michael moved into shaping as he got older  and spent many yearsat Force 9. Photographer  Tim Vanderlaan captured these shots of Jackson at Wanda late 70’s.

 

Stuart D’Arcy

Late 70’s a very young Stuart D’Arcy paddled out to Shark Island on his G&S and captured the eye of photographer Tim Vanderlaan.

Dave Allen

I remember Dave from way back in school. He was always the stylish soul surfer and when everyone else cut their hair in the 80’s he kept it long. Living on the hill just behind Wanda clubhouse Dave was a permanent fixture  tearing up the beachies from Greenhills to Elouera where this shot was taken by Tim Vanderlaan.

 

The Kane Brothers

Mick and Matt Kane were a pair of knock around characters who went hard in and out of the surf. The Brothers  hanged out at Northies Beach in the 70’s with the Alley Boys. Unfortunately the pair have since passed on. Photo below of Matt at The Point in ’77 by Tim Vanderlaan.

 

Steve Yates

Steve was a regular around Wanda Beach in the 70’s and 80’s often seen filming when he wasn’t out surfing. Yatsey has two claim to fames. He swam the English Channel in the 70’s and he appears in the original Puberty Blues film as the lifeguard who gets dacked in the beach fight. photo Tim Vanderlaan.

 

Scotty Topper

In the late 70’s and throughout the best part of the 80’s Wanda Beach was the home territory for a nuggety young kid called Scotty Topper. Scot was a powerful surfer who was one of the best contest performers on the local scene. Below Scotty at Wanda Circa 70’s photo Tim Vanderlaan.

 

Frank Latta ’73

Frank Latta was the Southsides main competitive force and most successful rider in the early 70’s. This shot taken at The Bells Beach comp at Easter ’73 by Clearline.