Matt Griggs

This pic of Grigsy was taken around the latter part of the  90’s at Suckrock when he was a rising star. He was competing around the world and making a name for himself. He has since become a man of many talents. Working as a writer for Tracks, a best selling book, coaching for Rip Curl and now a motivation speaker. Matt is a health freak and still loves charging and towing in on those big days. More recently he has been coaching some of Cronullas latest surfing prospects including Jesse Horner, Dane Long, Rory Jenkins, Rachel Campbell and Dylan Haylar.   pic CSP

Spike in Waves

Richard “Spike” James featured in a Waves article around ’88 based on City Surfing. The double spread was taken by Peter Simmons of Spike heavily pitted at The Point.

Bobby Brown Memorial Contest

The 1968 issue of Surfing World Volume 10 No 4  featured a rundown of the first Bobby Brown Memorial Contest at Wanda. In a 5 page article it covered the event blow by blow. The waves were 1 metre and fair for the finals and the best of the best Aussie talent were competing.Ted Spencer, Keith Paull, Midget, Kevin Parkinson, Robert Connelly and Frank Latta were left to battle it out in the final heat. It was Farrely who trimmed and nose rode to victory and walked away with a Bobby Brown sculptured trophy.

Kelvin Hawkins

Kelvin was a strong competitor for Elouera Boardriders Club during the 80’s. He was apart of EBCs very competitive Surf League team and didnt mind dressing up in strange outfits at surf comps like his winning surfing chicken display with Jason Meakins at the Straight Talk Open. In 83 he won the EBC Club Championship. This pic below was taken at The Point mid heavy lip gouge on his Sky surfboard early 80s.  photo Stroh

Occy Cover 84

Its October 1984 when 17 yearold Mark Occiluppo scores the cover to Surfing Mag plus a 8 page profile inside. The cover blurb says He’s young, he’s hot, he’s No1. Occy starts the year in 1st place and is being lauded as Australias great white hope to stop Tom Currens domination of pro surfing. They were right over the next few years Occy becomes Currens main rival.

Sparky

Matt “Sparky” Clarke is well known around Cronulla for his fearless big wave charging. The frame grab below of a warping Island monster was from the 90’s video Square by Craig Stroh and  featured on the cover. Sparky also survived a horrendous wipeout in Hawaii once when along with Rusty they paddled out past Sunset to a Cloudbreak on a maxing 25ft plus day. Another surfer drowned when the trio got caught inside. Sparky and Rusty survived the impact and made it back to shore on one board. Prior to them paddling out the pair asked if I would like to paddle out and photograph the session with them. No thanks.

Simon Taylor

Simmo has been one of Cronulla Boardriders most lethal competitive weapons. He’s notched up 5 Open Club Championships winning in 97,2001,02,03,04,05 more than any other member since the club began in 78. Always humble and low key on land Simon changes like a Dr Jeckle and Mr Hyde once he throws on a contest t’shirt. This pic was taken at Garie circa mid 90s by CSP

PT and G&S

Peter Townend the 1976 World Champion called Cronulla home for a few years. He was a regular sight surfing The Point on his pink surf board in an era where wearing no fluro colours and black wetsuits was almost compulsory.PT’s tube riding performances at Second Reef were legendary and soon earned his spot in the lineup. This G&S advertisement was from 1978 promoting PTs Hot Stuff model with the bottom turn shot taken at The Point.

Andy King Fundraiser

24 June 2004: The surfing community got together to support Cronulla surfer, Andy King. Following  the injuries he sustained after being vicously assaulted outside a local nightclub. Hoping to raise an estimated $80,000 for cochlear implants, a  golf day, surfing contest and celebrity sports auction took place in the ‘Shire’. The Golf Day, raised $20,000 . Hundreds  gathered  to witness ‘King of the Beach’ with small but contestable waves  local and WCT surfers Keiren Perrow, Beau Emerton, Luke Hitchings, Tom Whitaker, Mark Occhilupo, Mick Fanning and others  were a part of the special event. The crowd was  thrilled  when Andy King entered the water alongside former world champion Mark Occhilupo.

Following the surfing event was the celebrity sports auction, which was held at Cronulla Leagues Club. With Occy and Kelly Slater leading the auction, the night  raised a whopping $50,000 .Kelly Slater auctioned his own surfboard. At the completion of the successful fundraiser, the total of  $90,000 was raised. Below Kingy gets mobbed by an emotional beach crowd as he leaves the water  pic CSP

 

Gary Hughes @ The Point

Hughesy was one of the rising stars from Cronulla in the latter half of the Seventys. He was renoun for his deep stylish go for it tube riding at The Point. Gary’s career was put on hold after he wiped out at Sunset in Hawaii and copped another riders loose board fin to his skull. He was rushed to hospital by helicopter and was lucky not to have died. This shot was taken in 81 after he fully recovered.Still stylin.      pic Stroh.