Chicks Surf Shop

This advertisement for a Cronulla Chick Surf Shop came out in ’75

Soulman

This d/p sequence appeared in the 1980 June issue of Surfer Magazine of the late Geoff Solness scoring a bomb on a solid and mean day at The Island. Soulman was one of the regular standouts around this time. I was out this day taking photos with my nikonos when this wave came through it was the scariest and biggest Island pit I had ever seen up to that point and after snapping my shot I bolted for the horizon. Soulman was cool as a cucumber and unfazed by the lip going square. Notice the red Rip Curl wetsuit. This was the very beginning of 80’s fluro and no longer in the stone-age when it was compulsory to wear  black wetties and ride white surfboards only. Photos Darryl Jones.

Fletch Hayllar

Fletch was once one of those  ripping kids in Cronulla  full of potential and big moves when this pic was taken. Almost every wave he would  do something photogenic, whether it’s a big carving turn or a twisted tweak  he is was always out to impress.These days Fletch is still ripping better than ever but with a more mature approach and a love for more challenging wave opportunities. This shot of a clean punt was taken in the latter 90’s by Craig Stroh

Dave “Evo” Evans

Dave Evans showed real potential as a grom, he looked like he was set to follow a career as a pro surfer . Growing up with the Alley Boys he gained a reputation as a hell grommet and somewhere along the line he switched his surfboard for a skateboard. During the mid 80’s Evo became one of the highest profile skaters in Aus.Vert or street Evo tore up the terrain. This pic jumping my Celica on the top floor of the parking station behind Cronulla Mall. Photo Chris Stroh.

Alby Ross

Young  Alby Ross was part of Ashley Gee’s , Dog Marsh and Tim Gibbo’s crew in the early 80’s. They were a competitive bunch who pushed each other every surf and on the land. Like Dog , Alby took is wave riding  serious and looked like he was destined to make pro surfing his mission after strong performances and results at The Pro Junior and other local ameuter events. He moved to the far North Coast shortly after this pic was taken at Wanda. Photo Chris Stroh

Jamie McMillan

Jamie was one of The Alley Boys hell grommet squad during the 80’s. Hanging out with the likes of Evo, Wilbur, Patch and Fitzy these kids were usually on a mission of terror, fun and mischief. Jamie was more into the beach lifestyle than he was worried about contest singlets. In the coming years he would travel the globe snow boarding and surfing and eventually write about his adventures in a book. He is also an accomplished artist now living in Byron Bay. This pic of Jamie taken at The Reefs around early 90’s by Chris Stroh

Jack Eden

Jack started taking surf pics in 1958 and unknowingly at the time he was documenting the sport of surfing in Australia like no one else has. His Early images captured all the greats like Nat, Midget, Kevin the Head and Bobby Brown to name just a few. Coming from the Southside the Cronulla boys were often the focus of Jacks lens. Through his magazine Surfabout of which 24 issues were produced Jack was heavily responsible for bringing the local talent some well deserved exposure and also put Aussie surfing on the world map. Below portrait of Jack courtesy Jackson Surfboards.

The D’Arcy Bros.

Stuart and Dave D’arcy were regular fixtures around Cronulla Beach in the 80’s. While Stewart rode for EBC when he wasn’t off on some modelling job younger brother David  rode for Cronulla Boardriders and was sponsored by Force 9. Stuart was a high profile model around this time and was even the Milky Bar Kid. While Dave took the underground route, Stuart turned his hand to shaping. First was Vudu Surfboards then later Darcy Surfboards. Below left David Darcy milking a Wanda rip bowl while Stuart wacks a Elouera section Circa 80’s.

Jim Parkinson

Jim Parkinson was a fixture down at the Jackson Surfboard factory well respected for his clean shapes and progressive designs. Check out this 70’s pic of Parko and one of his more unsual shapes  photo by Tim Vanderlaan, courtesy Jackson Surfboards.

Jim Banks Adv ’84

Jim Banks didnt get a reputation for his go for it charging for nothing. He excelled at Shark Is, The Point and Voodoo on those maxed out days so when it came to attacking Hawaiian Pipeline it was a natural progression. This seq in a Rip Curl adv was from ’84, Jim said he made it. pics by Jim Russi.