Emerald Adv.

Emerald advertisement featuring Craig Naylor, Ross Marshall and Chis O’Callahan from the early 80’s.

Kurranulla Wahines

The all girl club called the Kurranulla Wahines formed in the 60’s. Its aim at the time was to enable girl riders to achieve a higher level. Whilst also to keep their femininity and be recognised as girl surfers and not impose an aggressive boys style. This article appeared in Surfabout Magazine and at the time of writing the club had 25 members and was the only female club on the southside of the harbour. It lasted a few years. Info courtesy of Rhys and Denise Faunce.

Gary Hughes Injured

In the late 70’s Cronulla Point standout Gary Hughes embarked on his secong Hawaiian mission. The previous year he was forced out of the water early due to a spleen injury but this year Hughesy was lucky to come out alive. While surfing Sunset ,Gary got speared in the head by a loose board. The injury left a gaping hole and he was rushed to hospital by helicopter for micro surgery to repair the near fatal wound. The injury put the breaks on Gary’s pro career as he was out of the water for months on end and when he returned he was forced to wear a helmet for safety until fully healed. Below Gary from a Tracks article with shaved head and scars.

Chris Iredale

Shark Island maestro Chris Iredale frame grab early 90’s by Stroh

Tom Curren

In the 80’s Tom Curren was a familiar sight at Cronulla when the comps rolled into town. When this pic was taken around ’84 Occy and Tom were fierce rivals and always their heats were electric as they were the two most exciting surfers around this era. This free surfing shot of Curren at Midway by Chris Stroh

Bonza

G&S Trifin boards from the 70’s

Glenn Pringle

EBC life member Glenn Pringle getting his fins out at The Dunny Bowl for Mat & Co early 90’s.Photo Chris Stroh

Waterforce Adv ’85

Sean Charters flying the Waterforce Surfboard flag in ’85.Waterforce at the time was owned by Rolf Myers a well known Point heavy in his younger days.Pic was by Sarge.

Bruce “The Fox” Hennessy

Bruce Hennessy alias The Fox started surfing, ie. riding a board, in 1959, he was 13 and used to knock off the boards the “clubbies” kept in the Nth Cronulla surf club.  A bloke named Terry Mcintosh taught him how to ride and he used to hang out with the ORIGINAL Cronulla gang at what is now known as South Cronulla . Brian Jackson and Nigel Dwyer were his mentors in the early days, Bruce went through all the eras of surfing and was lucky enough to have a great job at the sun-herald newspaper that gave him  heaps of time to surf   (thats where he met Graham Cassidy)  He worked at Jacko’s factory for nearly 12 years  and used to train at the gym with Frank Latta. Bruce saw the rise and fall of Northie’s  and worked on building sites with Bobby Brown (and blond bob as well) He is One of Cronulla’s original legends. Pic below of The Fox from Jackson Surfboards.

Old Joes Milkbar

Old Joes Milkbar was for a longtime a major part of Cronulla history. Situated right on the beach at Northies it was the hang for all the crew. Run by Joe and Thelma it had old Nat surf posters and ancient Tab Cola advertisements hanging up on fly stained walls. Out dated penny arcade machines alongside newer style pinballs, it was sad to see it go along with the Workers Club next door. Image by Chris Stroh