Morning of the Earth: The Legendary Michael Peterson Surfboard Unveiled at Surf World Gold Coast

On Friday, November 22, amidst torrential rains that drenched and flooded the Gold Coast,the Surfworld Museum came alive with an atmosphere of celebration and nostalgia. As curator and emcee for the day, I had the immense privilege of unveiling one of the most significant surfboards in Australian surfing history: the revered Morning of the Earth (M.O.T.E.) board, shaped and ridden by the legendary Australian surfer shaper Michael Peterson.

The invitation-only event drew a full house of shapers , surfers and dedicated surf enthusiasts , all eager to see this magical board in the flesh and to witness a moment decades in the making. Special guests included Michael’s family—his mother Joan, sister Denise, his niece Brooke, and nephew Lee. who along with all our guests enjoyed live renditions by local band "The Alley Cats"of classic songs from the Morning of the Earth (M.O.T.E.) Soundtrack 

 Joining me on the stage were surfing legends Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, Cheyne Horan, Rip Curl co-founder Doug Warbrick, and master photographer Dick Hoole.

The guest panel shared stories that oscillated between the profound and the hilarious, offering rare glimpses into Michael’s competitive brilliance and enigmatic personality. From his fiercely private nature to his legendary cutback immortalized in Albie Falzon’s timeless film Morning of the Earth, Michael’s legacy was celebrated in vivid detail.

Yet, the true star of the day was the board itself.

This single-fin marvel, crafted in the early 1970s, was shaped by Michael under the mentorship of pioneering master shaper Joe Larkin at his Miles Street factory in Kirra. Joe, Surfworld's inaugural patron and my esteemed predecessor, played a pivotal role in shaping Michael’s early career. The board, now securely displayed in a custom-designed case, had been out of public view for decades, shrouded in mystery and thought by many to have vanished entirely.

Its reemergence was nothing short of remarkable. The board had been safeguarded for years in the private collection of Carl Tanner, himself a life member and co founder of SurfWorld, and who finally entrusted it to the Museum after my persistent efforts to ensure its preservation and public display. With the generous support of a grant from the Tugun branch of The Bendigo Community Bank, I was able to design and commission the protective case that now houses this crown jewel of Surfworld’s collection.

For me, this unveiling was deeply personal. I first learned the craft of shaping under Michael’s unique style of guidance and, for a time, was his only sponsored surfer. Being part of Michael’s inner circle during his peak years remains one of the greatest honors of my life.

The M.O.T.E. board, with its groundbreaking design—a dome deck, vee bottom, low rails, and tucked edges—was revolutionary for its time. Its dimensions, often misquoted, measure precisely 5’8” x 19 ¾” x 2 ⅞”. This board not only symbolizes Michael’s innovative approach to surfing but also embodies a turning point in surfboard design.

The surfing Michael performed on this board is the stuff of legend. His iconic cutback, immortalized in Morning of the Earth, remains one of the most celebrated images in surf culture, both in Australia and internationally. To this day, surfers around the world strive to emulate the perfection of the MP cutback.

If you’d like to witness this extraordinary piece of surfing history for yourself, visit Surfworld Gold Coast on the Currumbin beachfront, directly opposite the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Come and experience the magic of the M.O.T.E. board and its timeless connection to Australia’s surfing heritage.

Peter Harris

Patron

Curator 

Surf World Gold Coast