Groin For Cronulla Scrapped

1980 October Tracks revealed that the proposed groyne to combat erosion at Cronulla Beach was to be dropped. In the pic below by Peter Simmons you can see the destruction caused during that monster swell of ’76 to Northies.

Tim “Jungle”Russell

Tim has been a longtime Point regular as well as an adventurer who has spent plenty of his time treking around the globe in search of waves. During a large chunk of the 90’s Tim lived in Hawaii surfing  Sunset and loves riding large boards. Tim even made a video about his Jungle adventurers. This framie was taken at The Point by Craig Stroh

7ft 1″ Reno by PT

Check out this classic ride from ’74. Shaped by Peter Townend at G&S. It had Shaped 7/10/74 “Reno” Small Mouth written on the foam. We guess its referring to Reno Gillespie a stylish character and Sandshoes standout from back in the day who just happened to be a good mate of PT’s. In two years time Townend would claim the first pro tour title in ’76. Image by Craig Quinn.

Popout

Gerry “Popout” Manion during the seventies was one of the first to really take on maxing Cronulla Point. Gerry was renown for scoring the biggest and best barrel of the day a feat he achieved when he lucked into that killer keg that put Cronulla on the big wave map when magazines around the world including a poster in Surfing Mag ran it. Popouts other interests included racing cars. The full adrenalin freak. This framie was captured early 90’s.

Tom Uglys Surf Shop

There’s been a lot of Surf Shops come and go in the Shire and one the more unusual shops in a  slightly weird location was situated at Blakehurst on the southern end of Tom Uglys Bridge. Run by Paul Ryan who was a bit of a old surfer Hippy tree hugger who was keen on ecology and saving the world. He setup the  Tom Uglys Surf Shop in the mid ’70s and it was a like stepping  into Byron Bay with Yoga and other trippy decor. It mostly stocked Colour of Thought Surfboards shaped by Peter Glasson. This article appeared in Tracks in ’80.

The Jacksons

Faye and Brian (Jacko) Jackson down the south coast photo taken by Jim Harper sometime in the 60’s. Photo courtessy Christina Parkinson,Jackson Surfboards

Michael Crisp

Clean gaping Island keg and local charger Crisy is right in the spot. Michael’s been a committed big wave charger who lives for waves like this and a standout since he first appeared out in the Sharky Is lineup back in the 90’s. Image Craig Stroh.

Bruce Weller Southern Comfort

Bruce Weller in Southern Comfort Adv around the late 70’s

The Parkinson Bros.

 Retro pic of Jim Parkinson (Shaper at Jackson since 1974 and still today) and his brother Al Parkinson in California in 1973 at a place called Frogs. As you can see no legropes those days, Jim broke his fin while Al broke his nose. Photo courtesy of Christiana Parkinson/Jackson Surfboards.

Mick Mackie Express

This shot of Mick was snapped at Cronulla Point in the late 80’s. Mick was shaping boards at Express down at Heathcote and he’s seen here putting one of his shapes through the wringer. Photo Chris Stroh.