Kneeboarding at The Point

In the early 70’s The Point was the place to be for hardcore Kneeboarders on the Southside. Names like Mark Munro, Ross Bullard, Butto, Fat Tony, John Sullivan, Peter Britton, John Waterworth , Rob McClagen, The Bear, Peter Wyhte, The Captain, Tony Wales and Peter Choco White were just some of  the regulars who excelled at getting deeper in the hollow barrels than the stand-up crew could. By the 80’s the popularity of Tom Morey’s boogie board took over and the Kneelo impact in the lineup died out. Today the art has nearly disappeared all together. Below Choco at The Cabbage Patch by Peter Simons.

 

 

 

Gary O’Maley

In the mid to late 70’s The Point was regarded as the focal centre of surfing in Cronulla. There was a strong crew of diehards that lived for the wave and charged it on the heaviest days. Photographer Peter Simons was there to capture plenty of the local action that opened the surfing worlds eyes to the potential on the Southside. This shot of Gary O’Maley appeared in SW around ’76.

 

 

G&S Spoon

When George Greenough released his revolutionary movie “The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun” he inspired a lot of surfers to take up spoon riding. The Point was a haven for the Kneelo crew due to its hollowness and the Spoon boys were a common sight. Here’s a Circa 70’s Gordon and Smith Spoon  board with the unique  fiberglass bottom for extra flex.

Richard Herbert

This watershot of Herbie taken by Peter Simons featured in a Cronulla Point story called The Power and The Glory in which Simo and Peter Glasson discuss an epic swell in ’74. Glasso recalled this day was some of the biggest and best waves he had ever seen.  From SW Vol 19 No.3.

Motorised Surfboard July 7th 2012

Cronulla Point local Scotty Yealand hooks into a Point wall as Ronny “The Skull” roars past on a motorised surfboard. Seq Chris Stroh

Terepai @ The Point

Island standout Terepai Richmond hit The Point this day proving he’s more than just a barrel rider.  Taken around early 2000s.

 

 

Phil Bryant

In the mid 70’s the hottest surfers on the Southside seemed to all congregate at Cronulla Point. Names like Jim Banks, Gary Hughes, Popout, Soulman, Glasso, Greg Melhuish all stood out and made names for themselves by charging the notorious 2nd reef waves. While the surfers charged the cameramen like Dave Shaw, Greg Button, Steve Core and Peter Solness captured all the action. Local standouts like Phil Bryant pictured below were so amped on the wave they practically disowned the beachies and refused to lower themselves by surfing anywhere else but at The Point.

 

Luke Mulhall

One of The Points main men in the 70’s. Luke was apart of the heavie hitters who didnt take kindly to blowins and dropins. The Point crew back then would snake there own grandma to steal a wave it was that cut throat.  This shot taken  in the 1980’s by Chris Stroh

The Point 60’s

This photo from the early 60’s of  Billy Penrue and Jacko sharing a ride at The Point. In those early days crowds were not a problem like they are today and surfers actually encouraged one another to ride the same waves.Photo courtesy Del Surfboards.

 

 

 

Gary Hughes @ The Point

Late 70’s early 80’s Gary Hughes was ruling The Point along with Popout, Jim Banks and a tight crew of locals. This day was solid and as the 3 shots show Gary was in top form. Photos courtesy Andrew Duncan 1980?