Mackie Pro Junior.

In ’84 upencoming Cronulla surfer Michael Mackie was profiled in Tracks as one of the hottest kids in Australia. The Pro Junior was the stepping stone for young Surfers and Mick was regarded as a future champion at the time. Ross Marshall,Greeny, Occy , Dog and Glenn Pringle were all Pro Junior standouts which helped launch their pro careers. Mick eventually took a different route charging heavy reefs at home and shaping boards. Tracks clipping below pic Nolan.

Damien Hodge

In the latter half of the 80’s a nuggety little kid called Damien Hodge showed heaps of potential and looked to be heading in the same direction as Occy. Jason and Richard Marsh took him under their coaching wing and he looked set to be the next big thing from Cronulla after he was sponsored by Billabong and Peak. Damien in the coming years may not have reached early expectations but he still was and is a solid surfer who on his day is up there with the best. This pic of Damien is when he was still a very young grommy. Photo Chris Stroh

Paul Campbell

Paul Campbell is another one of those older Cronulla statesman who charged hard back in their day. Paul was a regullar Island maniac taking it on when it was at its craziest in the late 80’s early ’90s era alongside Mackie and Chris Iredale. These days Paul and his family live at Stanwell Park and recently he suffered every older Surfers worst nightmare having a heart attack in the surf. Luckily he survived. Pauls daughter Rach is now making her name for herself as one of Australias most promising girl surfers. This pic of Peter charging late 80’s by 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

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 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.

Greeny and Bad Billy’s

In 1987 it was Gary Green who came up with the idea for Billabongs latest advertising campaign called Bad Billy’s. Bad Billy’s was the skull and cross bones logo that was a extremely successful marketing move that targeted the youthful bad boy type image. Below Greeny around that time styling at the Rockpools photo Chris Stroh

Dead Kennedys @ The Workers

It was 1983 when Cronulla Beach saw its first riot after a Dead Kennedys concert at the Workers Club. The notorious punk band with the offensive name were popular with many Surfers. The DKS were renown for their radical political stance and wild concerts worked the crowd into a frenzy. After the show the party continued onto the street where the Police were called and things got out of hand. There was fighting, a few windows were smashed and several Police cars were damaged as the crowd went crazy with a few of the more drunken revellers carted off and arrested.

Ross Marshall and Emerald

Ross from the pages of Surfing World Annual 5 early ’80s. photo by Peter Simmons

Jim Banks Quits Tour ’83.

Feb 1983 Tracks reports that after a good performance at Pipeline where he hooked into this deep pit below, Jims quiting the tour sick of living out of a suitcase and will concentrate just on Surfing. Sequence of Banksy charging hard by Brouilett.