Gunnamatta Bay

Dave Wilson

Dave Wilson one of the pioneers of the local surfing industry and board riding in Cronulla rides his red battleship on his way to victory in the Noosa Festival of Surfing 2015 – the world’s biggest event for longboard surfing. Photo: Ian Borland

Brian Jackson ’59

Brian Jackson (furthest right) and his mates with some early balsa boards photo taken in ’59. Photo courtesy of Jackson Surfboards

November 1956.

Sunday, November 18, 1956, Greg Noll and members of the US surf lifesaving team where in Australia to compete in the Melbourne Olympic Games, arriving in Sydney they were first taken to Cronulla for a wave.

With them they brought the first balsa wood Malibus and when they paddled out at The Point, Cronulla instantly became the birth place of modern surfing in Australia. Pic Brian Keane and American Tom Zahn enjoying the moment.

Towra Beach

Bonnet surfing at Kurnell’s, Towra Beach. [Photo courtesy Helen Grant family collection]

Bob Weeks

Board Hire at The Wall back in 1963 photo by Bob Weeks this and other classic images available from

https://bobweeksphotography.com.au/

 

1975 Wanda Surfclub.

Storms would regularly blow sand over the road and up into the park. The Littlo’s house, and the other houses along this side of Mitchell Rd were demolished soon after this photo. Tim Vanderlaan Photo

1968 Surf life Saving Carnival at Elouera Beach.

The Wanda Junior March past team in action. Swimming in the belt in big seas with seaweed around was a suicidal mission. Tim Vanderlaan Photo collection.

Gerrale Street ’66

Cronulla Beach Gerralle Street photo Max Walenciak 1966

5th Left

5th Left.  Cronulla’s secret lefthander breaking in open ocean. For decades brave surfers have made the long paddle, and reaped its rewards. Tim Vanderlaan Photo.