Peter Townend

In the mid 70’s  many of Surfing’s biggest names where regularily hanging out at Cronulla giving the local groms plenty of competitive push and inspiration which had been lacking in previous years. World class riders like PT, Ian Cairns and Michael Peterson where just some of the big guns who were spending a lot of time in the area. With PT riding and shaping at G&S  he became accepted as a part time local when he wasn’t on tour and found most days at Sandshoes where the photo below was captured around ’76.Photos Steve core.

 

Peter Townend ’78

PT was a regular sight surfing at The Point and Sandshoes in the mid 70’s. Shaping his board models out of G&S  saw the 1976 World Champ hitting the local spots when he wasn’t on tour. These photos were taken in ’78 when the Coke Cola Surfabout rolled into town. It was man on man at The Point. Back in PT’s pink days. Photo Rob King.

 

PT, Steve Core and G&S

Local photographer Steve Core was responsible for getting the Cronulla area some hard earned publicity , first through his photos, magazine and videos. One of Steve’s most successful collaborations was with 1976 World Champion Peter Townend who happened to move into Cronulla to be nearer to his sponsor G&S around the same time. Steve snapped the pics below of PT for the G&S advertisement around ’77.

 

 

Peter Townend & G&S

Gordon and Smith had a huge profile in the mid seventies attracting the best local surfers and shapers plus many international stars to wave the G&S flag. The PT  the 1976 World Champ riding the fish below was one of the high profile sponsored star shapers/riders waving the G&S flag. Photos Steve Core.

 

 

Wanda “Bad Boys”

Craig “Wally” Mackay was part of a group of guys called “The Bay Boys” ( about 15 of them ), who lived in and around Kogarah Bay and surfed Wanda and Greenhills  EVERY weekend from 1974 to 78. Like most kids who were too young to drive Wally and his mates  would get to the beach anyway possible on weekend’s either by lift with a mates parents, or catch a bus to Hurstville railway station, then train to Cronulla and walk to Wanda surfboard, surf mat, and “dagbag” in hand (that’s a long walk).  Best thing about Cronulla train line from the City was if you fell asleep you’d just wake up in Cronulla . The photo taken in 1977  was of Craig ( 17 years old) standing at Greenhills with his G & S ‘tubeshooter” fish tail stinger shaped by Peter Townend. Bought new from G & S factory at Caringbah.

 

Peter Townend

The first official World Tour Champion Peter Townend hooked up with G&S to produce his custom shapes. This advertisement mid 70’s.

PT @ Shoes

In the mid 70’s Peter Townend was a semi-resident spending much of his time surfing Pirates Cove which looks suspiciously a lot like Sandshoes The pink board era.Photo Steve Core.

PT and G&S

Peter Townend the Surfing worlds first tour champion in ’76 called Cronulla home for several years in the 70’s. With his board sponsor G&S at Taren Point, PT  had a big influence over the local groms. Not only was he one of the first to break away from the standard white boards and black wetties he also inspired goatee beards to be grown by surfers everywhere. This adv Circa 70’s.

PT Shape.

1976 Peter Townend was shaping boards at G&S above one of his in demand toob shooter shapes from back in the day. Photo Pods for Primates.

Peter Townend

The first World ASP Tour Champion, PT was a regular Nulla resident during the 70’s. Between ’72 and ’76 he was staying mostly with Mick Anastas and hanging with the  local crew out at Sandshoes, charging The Point as well as shaping boards for G&S.This adv from around ’77.