2014 will mark the centenary of Duke Kahanamoku’s historic visit to Australia in the summer of 1914/15. To mark the occasion, surf writer, Tim Baker, has written a compelling history of Australian surfing that reveals some previously untold chapters in the story of wave-riding Down Under. How was Tommy Walker surfing years before Duke’s visit and why has his place in history been obscured? What does our beach culture owe to the Indigenous coastal lifestyle? Why was the 1939 Australian surfboard champion locked up as an “enemy/alien”?

A slideshow of historic images from the book, many previously unseen, will be shown along with a lively surf history discussion. Books available for sale on the night.

Get ready to be wowed by Pineapples ‘n’ Palms, an evening of art, wine, ukulele tunes and conversation as two of the most well-known and unique artists on the Gold Coast showcase their new collections.

The two artists, Jenny Midson and Pamela Oberman, share a love of pineapples ‘n’ palms, vibrant colours, and the beach and island lifestyle. While they embody two very different styles of art, their creations are always bold, colourful and eye-catching.

Pam’s interior design background and the fact that she lived in PNG in her early days is very evident in her primitive island style of painting. Jen’s colourful upbeat retro surf art reflect her bubbly personality and a life lived by the beach and surfing the Gold Coast and Bali.

Doors open at 6.00pm and the $10 entry price includes a complimentary drink on arrival. For the latest updates on this event go to the Pineapples n Palms event site on Facebook

Taking up where Bob’s first book, STOKED, left off, this is the story of what happens when youth gives way to the responsibilities and discoveries of middle age, when things like family and religion and bringing in income clash head to head with a lifestyle built on no commitments.

Told in Bob’s signature style, a mixture of mischief and poetry, MORE STOKED! is a homage to 70s surfing as well as a coming of age story. Accompanied by many never seen before photographs this is a beautiful gift book for surfers and armchair surfers alike.It’s impossible to picture Australian surf history without Bob McTavish. One of the first Australians to adopt surfing as a lifestyle, McTavish worked to surf, hung out with legends of the sea and turned himself into a household name. Now in his late 60s and running a successful board business in Byron Bay, he still surfs daily.“From long-term addict to pragmatic. From original wooden boards through to the first longboard era. The Short Board Revolution. Wave skis. Snowboards. Sailboards. Longboards reworked and redeveloped. Guns. Big-wave lust. Small-wave joy. A wife who surfs. Two sons who surf everything well. A happy outlook. No end in sight.”  Bob McTavish is MORE STOKED than ever.

Bob will be talking about the book and showing 3 short movies including a 15 minute film of Noosa taken by Hayden Kenny in the early 1960s.

Laurie Lawrence Swim Schools is a platinum sponsor of Surf Worlds 2014/2015 Calendar! Surf World interviewed Emma Lawrence to find out a little more about Laurie and what it is that makes Laurie Lawrence Swim Schools world renown. On behalf of Surf World we’d like to thank Laurie Lawrence Swim Schools for supporting Surf World!

Surf World: So Emma, being the daughter of the great Laurie Lawrence, can you tell me about Laurie Lawrence Swim Schools and how the swim school came about.

Emma Lawrence: The swim school first opened over 40 years ago in 1966 in Northern Queensland. Laurie’s passion for swimming first came about when he was working as a Physical Education teacher. Laurie’s father owned the lease on the Tobruk pool in North Queensland, where several great Olympic athletes such as Dawn Fraser trained. It was there that Laurie’s passion for swimming grew rapidly, and he became immersed with teaching people how to swim.

Surf World: I believe the Laurie Lawrence Swim School has produced a fair few swim stars over the years as well?

Emma Lawrence: You’re right, the swim school has produced a large number of State, National, Commonwealth, World and Olympic champions. It’s due to this reason that swimming coaches from around the world come to Australia to learn the techniques that LLSS have developed from over 35 years experience.

Surf World: Laurie was also involved in the Kids Alive do the five program. Can you tell me a bit about it?

Emma Lawrence: Laurie has been an avid advocate for water safety, introducing the ‘Kids Alive do the Five’ water safety programs in 1988. Drowning is the greatest cause of accidental death in children under five in Australia.  The Kids Alive community service program educates the public on five important steps to reduce the risk of preschool drowning.

Surf World: Laurie has done so much for swimming in Australia, it’s quite remarkable. Now where can people learn to swim at Laurie Lawrence Swim Schools?

Emma Lawrence: Laurie Lawrence Swim Schools have several venues on the coast including Currumbin, Banora, and Underwood. They have swimming classes that cater from babies as young as 4 months old, to children and adults learning to swim, as well as advanced adult squad classes. For any information regarding Laurie Lawrence Swim Schools, please feel free to contact their following pools:

 

    Banora – Cnr Greenway & leisure Drive Banora Point (07) 5523 3177
    Currumbin – Cnr Currumbin Creek rd & Philip St Currumbin 0449 209 727
    Underwood -2 Sports Drive, Underwood Ph (07) 3120 1600

Surf World: Terrific. Well thanks for your time and on behalf of everyone at Surf World we’d like to thank you for being a major sponsor of Surf World’s 2014/2015 Calendar!

Emma: Glad we could help! Thanks

A launch night was held on Wednesday 25th of September for the sponsors and photographers that contributed to the Surf World Gold Coast 2014/2015 calendar. The photographers provided a rare insight into their images, with great stories by Peter ‘Joli’ Wilson, Ted Grambeau, Shelli Bankier, Tony Harrington, Ben Whitmore, Shayne Neinaber, and Mal Sutherland. Without the beautiful images donated by the photographers, and the support from the sponsors involved, none of this would have been possible.

Keep Friday the 13th of September free as master photographer and raconteur Marty Tullemans will present “What is surfing? Art, dance or religion”.

A great night will be had by all who attend so be sure to save the date!

Only shown in Australia twice before to small restricted audiences, Surf World Gold Coast has been given permission by the producer to have a one off fund raising screening on the 7th June of his documentary Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story. Written and produced by two times Emmy Award winner Brian Gillogly, the movie documents the story of Kathy ‘Gidget’ Kohner whose diary of her experiences at Malibu in the 1950s were transformed by her father into a book, movies and later a TV series. The release of the movie Gidget in 1959 staring Sally Fields introduced surfing to the mainstream and changed surfing forever and is an insight into the way surfing has developed.


The Documentary features interviews from Sally Field to seven times World Champion Layne Beachley and all the other women surfers in between who have been nicknamed ‘Gidget’.

This is a historical documentary not to be missed.

A limited number of ‘Gidget’ books personally signed by Kathy for Surf World Gold Coast are available for sale. Be early to purchase your signed collectors edition.

Surf World Gold Coast is planning a fund raising auction in March in conjunction with the Bleach Festival at a venue to be decided.

As the survival of Surf World depends on funds raised from events we are appealing to the surfing community for donations or contributions of quality surfing memorabilia to be auctioned at the event. It is our intention to select only the best and limit the number of items to be auctioned on the night.

Selected items will be featured in our monthly newsletter. For information on donations and contributions contact:

Carl – 0412453555
Daryl – email – surfcollector(at)hotmail.com
Mal – 0418181135

This months Auction Selection

Rip Curl MP Classic Kirra Board and framed poster signed by
Stef, Mick, Doug Warbrick, Alby Falzon, MP and others. To be auctioned separately or as a pair.

Rusty Miller’s first ever book, Turning Point: Surf Portraits and Stories From Bells to Byron 1970-1971 has just been released.

The book Turning Point is a collection of rare photographs taken by Rusty of some of surfing’s most iconic characters. He has captured a fascinating era in surfing’s history. Half of the images were taken at the 1970 World Surfing Championships at Bells Beach, the other half a year later at Byron Bay/Lennox Head.  From Bells to Byron he tells the stories of each portrait, as do the people captured in the photos.In collaboration with Tricia Shantz the book was put together having trawled through Rusty’s 40 year old black and white negatives and colour slides. They’d been tucked away in boxes all that time.

The surfers in the photos have proven to be some of the most interesting and creative individuals in surfing’s culture. Most of these photos have never been seen before.Rusty, not known as a surfing photographer, has taken images that are evocative portraits of the people at that time. In addition to the visuals Turning Point makes for fascinating reading.Surfing culture’s sense of community and cool are at the centre of Rusty’s photographs from this turning point in surfing’s time line.

Dave Rastovich, Surfer and Environmental ActivistFor further information or to order a book email:

ph: 02668 47390 or 0428847390

or go to www.rustymillersurf.com

Rusty and Tricia will be doing a book talk at SurfWorld Gold Coast, Friday May 3rd.

The Art of Surfboard Shaping on 15 February is a workshop designed to introduce people to surfboard shaping and to provide them with a better understanding of how their current board works.

This workshop will be conducted by master shaper Richard Harvey, a man who has been shaping boards for over 40 years and is a former Australian champion. He also recently established the Australian Surfboard College on the Gold Coast.

“Richard is one of the most experienced and respected shapers on the coast and a real craftsman when it comes to making surfboards,” said Surf World Chairman Jak Carroll.

“For those who want to experience the satisfaction of riding a surfboard that they have designed and crafted themselves, this workshop will launch them in the right direction.”

When: Friday, 15February 15, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Surf World Gold Coast
Tickets: $20 at door or can be pre-booked by phoning 5525 6380

John Witzig has become an icon of Australian surfing. In a ‘career’ studded by controversy, he has been a surfer, photographer, writer, editor and publisher. The former editor of Surfing World and Surf International in the 1960’s, founding partner of Tracks magazine in 1970 and Sea Notes in 1977 John has done it all. In 1967 John wrote a controversial article for the American Surfer magazine titled ‘We’re Tops’ which claimed Australian surfers were better than American surfers. The article was later described as splendidly inflammatory.
Surf World Gold Coast is proud to announce that John will host a slide night on 6th October where he will show a selection of his photos from the 60s and 70s, with commentary on that evolutionary era in surfing when board design was changing rapidly and surfers were exploring the virgin breaks that have now become mainstream destinations.

John will be ably backed up by expat American, and world-renowned surf forecaster, Mike Perry. Though well known by the surfing hierarchy, Mike and his contributions to surfing have generally remained under the radar.
Thanks to Paul Witzig, John’s brother, the night will end with the showing of 3 short film clips from his groundbreaking movies, Hot Generation, Evolution and Sea of Joy.

John Witzig BIO

John Witzig got lucky when some of his friends got famous. He was hanging around surfing in Australia with the right people at the right time.
He misspent his youth involved with surfing magazines – writing, taking photographs, editing and designing – until it dawned on him that he’d better get a real job and he moved into mainstream publishing. He’s continued to misspend his adulthood in that field. Publishing remains a passion as do exotic places (just about anywhere out of Australia) and he travels as much as he can (which isn’t much these days).
He surfed into his mid-40s when his body began to collapse around him. He would’ve liked to have been a great tennis player.

Mike Perry BIO

Just another surfer.
Ex-pat Mike Perry has done most of what can be done in surfing except for riding giant waves, (or even pretty big ones.)
Shaper, writer, magazine editor and ‘weather guy’; Perry has angled his way through life using Surfing as his entree, all the while managing to dodge fame.
A self proclaimed ‘cog in the wheel of surfing’, Mike maintains contact with many of the overlords and underdogs of the art. With all that, he remains an individual who has simply peserved his love of surfing since first introduced to it in 1959.

Surf World Gold Coast is hosting a ‘Roast’ night on the 4th April to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of legendary surf pioneer and board manufacturer Joe Larkin’s move to the Gold Coast. Already a well known surfer/shaper in Sydney Joe opened his factory at Miles Street, Kirra in early 1962 and in doing so became the first commercial manufacturer of surf boards on the coast. Noted for his craftsmanship his factory quickly became the hang-out for budding surfers and later in the 60s’ a think tank in the short board revolution.

Always one for a good time some of Joe’s exploits are the stuff of legends and with the event hosted (toasted) by long time friend John JC Charlton it is expected that the roasting will be severe.

This event promises to be one of the highlights of Surf World’s calendar

This year we are most fortunate to have a special guest in Dick Van Straalen, who many of you will know from his time here on the Gold Coast as a shaper of note. But first up Dick would like to share a very rare film that he was a part of. ” The Surfing Years ” is a great little movie of Dick and some friends, taken in 1964 when Dick was a 20 year old doing what we all dream of. Tossing in the job, jumping in the car with some mates and couple of girls, and leaving Sydney behind for a surfing road trip to Noosa Heads. The movie is a classic and has some great footage of early Crescent Head, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast on the way to Noosa. This is the same trip many of you will have no doubt done yourselves and you won’t be the last to take this journey.

Surf World Gold Coast has integrated a workplace Sustainability Program to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.

In order to qualify for ‘Bronze Level Certification’ we have successfully implemented more than 70% of office based environmental standards in our workplace. SurfWorld Gold Coast’s commitment to improving our sustainability means that we have assessed our current operations and put in place measures to reduce our use of non renewable resources, waste to landfill, use of paper products and water. This independent certification program is provided by GreenBizCheck and facilitated by CoEfficiency Australia.

A fine night was had by all…

Surf World Gold Coast is fast becoming the centre of quality surf related events on the Gold Coast. Last Saturday night’s event featuring four surfing pioneers, Gordon Woods, Joe Larkin, Bill Wallace and Ken Wiles, who substituted for Scott Dillon, was a chance for those who attended to learn about the dramatic changes to board construction and surfing lifestyle in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Gordon, Joe, Bill and Ken kept the audience entertained with their stories of the characters who took surfing from the 16 foot hollow ply boards into the then new era of the Malibu board. Their stories of experimenting with foam and fibreglass construction and of the fires and explosions that almost destroyed their factories and businesses while serious at the time were hilarious in the retelling. Ken who opened Australia’s first surf shop had everyone laughing when he told of selling condoms and playboy magazines under the counter to make ends meet.

An entertaining and informative night was had by all.

Surf World Gold Coast is hosting an evening on 28th May featuring Joe Larkin, Gordon Woods, Scott Dillon and Bill Wallace, four of the pioneering fathers of board manufacturing in Australia and the industry and lifestyle that followed in their footsteps. These four men between them trained some of the most highly regarded shapers and manufacturers involved in the industry today.

Listen to their stories about the introduction of the Malibu in 1956 and the transition from 16ft hollow ply boards, to ply Okanuii’s, to balsa and then to foam and their humorous stories about the disasters they had in creating the modern foam blank.

Hear how the ‘Gidget’ era changed surfing into a mainstream sport in the early 60s’ and how the short board revolution affected their businesses in the late 60s’.

All good surfers in their own right these four together, are part of the living history of our sport. With larrikins Joe and Scott and gentleman Gordon and Bill telling their stories it promises to be an entertaining night not to be missed and one that all those in the industry should attend.

Surf World Gold Coast is proud to present a display from four times World Champion Stephanie Gilmore’s extensive collection of trophies. Curated with the assistance of Steph’s father Jeff and sister Whitney the display includes Hawaiian Triple Crown, Roxy, and World Championship trophies. Along with these and other trophies the display includes photographs, competition rash shirts and even Stephanie’s favourite stuffed toys.

Story boards created by Whitney are displayed throughout the exhibit and document Stephanie’s rise to world dominance since 2005.

Surf World Gold Coast hosted a special exhibition dedicated to celebrating surfing legend Bobby Brown on the 11th of November 2010.

Timed to coincide with the Kirra Surf Stock Festival, the exhibition celebrated the life of a surfing enigma and his significant contribution to the classic sixties era of surfing.

Brown was ranked alongside Midget Farrelly, Nat Young and Peter Drouyn as one of the best surfers of the 1960s.

He was only 17 years of age when he qualified for the final of the first World Surfing titles in 1964 won by Midget Farrelly at Manly Beach.

His short but impressive surfing life featured in movies like Bob Evans’ 1963 “Young Wave Hunters” and Paul Witzig’s 1967 groundbreaking movie “Hot Generation”, both of which will feature in the exhibition.

Following Brown’s tragic death in 1967, an annual memorial competition was held in his honour at Cronulla from 1968-1970.

Midget Farrelly won in 1968, Frank Latta won in 1969, and in 1970 a 16-year-old rookie from the Gold Coast, Andrew McKinnon, won the third and final event at Wanda Beach.

Now a well known Gold Coast beach and surf reporter, McKinnon has put together this exhibition that will feature timeless surfing photos of Brown and others from the 1960s, archival movie footage, surfboards, clothing, surf magazines and newspaper clippings.

The exhibition will also feature the impressive Perpetual Trophy, modeled on Jack Eden’s classic photo of Brown’s famous “soul arch” bottom turn at Sandon Point, which is a priceless piece of surfing art that has been McKinnon’s prize possession since 1970.

“Even though I never had the chance to meet Bobby, I’ve treasured the memorial trophy for the last 40 years,” said McKinnon.

“So to celebrate that occasion and the legend of Bobby Brown, I decided to pay homage to his surfing genius by putting together a significant exhibition.”

McKinnon and former world champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew will be the special hosts for the official opening night of the exhibition on November 11 from 6.30pm.

The night is open to the public with tickets available at the door (Tomewin Street, Currumbin) or by phoning (07) 5525 6380. Tickets are $15 which includes a sausage sizzle and drink as well as a tour of the museum.

Surf World Gold Coast was announced the winner of the best volunteer run organisation at the Queensland Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards on the 15 October 2010.

Chairman Mal Sutherland and Daryl Barnett, two of the driving forces behind the establishment of Surf World Gold Coast, were on hand to receive the award.

“I believe the award is recognition for all the many wonderful volunteers who ensure that the doors of Surf World open each day,” said Sutherland

“Running a museum is a huge task and we have a team of over 50 people who do everything from vacuuming the floors to maintaining the website.

“It’s also a credit to our major supporters Gold Coast City Council, Connecting Southern Gold Coast and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary who have been instrumental in the establishment and success of Surf World.”


Surf World Gold Coast is a museum dedicated to celebrating the history and culture of surfing. It is located at Currumbin (opposite the wildlife sanctuary) and hosts an impressive array of surfing memorabilia including surfboards, photos, books and clothing.
Since its opening in 2009, Surf World Gold Coast has hosted many significant events and exhibitions including the highly successful Divas of Surfing event in 2009 and the Art of Surfing in 2010.

Its latest exhibition, celebrating the life of 1960s surfing legend Bobby Brown, will commence on 11 November 2010.
Members of the public and school groups are welcome to visit Surf World each day between 9.00am and 5.00pm.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should visit the museum or phone direct on (07) 5525 6380.

Queensland’s first surfing museum, Surf World Gold Coast, opens its doors at Currumbin on Saturday, 27 June.

The museum celebrates the history and contribution of surfing and beach culture. A topic of discussion for many years, the museum has come to fruition in the last 12 months.

Chair of the steering committee, Mal Sutherland, said the exhibition opening followed months of hard work.

“We have over 100 boards showing the evolution of design and technology from the 1930s through to today, photographs of early surf scenes and current work by world-renowned surf photographers. This is just some of the collection,” he said.

The museum is located on the 1st floor of Honeyworld, opposite Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and entry will cost just $9 for adults, $5 for children and $20 for families.

“We have been very fortunate to secure a space in this building with the assistance of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a great synergy between “beach and bush” and both the sanctuary and museum see the benefits to be gained in co-locating these attractions.”

Besides the partnership with the Sanctuary, Surf World Gold Coast has also partnered with its sister museum Surf World Torquay to share its name and branding.

The museum has an another avid supporter in the local Divisional Councillor, Cr Chris Robbins.

“The experience of riding down a curling wave on a board on one of our iconic beaches has captured the imagination and spirit of generations of locals and visitors alike,” Cr Robbins said.

“Surfing and surf culture is integral to life on the Gold Coast and we now have a place to showcase this.”

Mr Sutherland said Cr Robbins had supported the project ‘from day one’.

“Without her support and financial contribution we would not be where we are now.”

The doors open for the first time on Saturday, 27 June after a ‘soft’ opening at 10am. “It will be wonderful to cut the ribbon and accept our first visitors,” Mr Sutherland said.

Surf World Gold Coast would like to acknowledge its partners – Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, National Trust of Queensland ,Gold Coast City Council and Connecting Southern Gold Coast.