70s photographs

1970s South West surfing identities – Kevin & Alan

In the 1970s WA surfers Kevin Merifield and Alan Cough were successful business men. Whilst living in the city, the two mates spent most weekends and holidays surfing in the South West. They formed a business venture in the South West with Pat Begley and built the Settlers Tavern in Margaret River in 1978. The boys also owned large land holdings in the South West.

Kevin purchased the Millbrook property at Yallingup in 1976 and now lives on the property with his wife Margaret. He still surfs his favourite wave at Marg’s main break at age 77.

Alan moved from the city and lived on a farm at Wilyabrup in the mid 70s. In the late 80s he moved to a farm in the Denmark/Walpole region before returning to the city in his latter life. Sadly Alan passed away in 2011.

Photo: Early 1970s Kevin Merifield with a Blaxell single fin surfboard at Trigg Point. Photo credit Ric Chan.

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Alan started surfing late. Kevin taught his mate Alan to surf at Trigg when he was age 40. Kevin was bemused when after a couple of years on boards, Alan switched to goat boats (wave skis). Goat boats where popular at the time but were superseded by a Longboard revival and a plague of SUPs (Stand-up-paddleboards).

Photo: Early 1970s Alan Cough with a single fin surfboard at Trigg Point. Photo credit Ric Chan.

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Photo: 1978 Settler’s Tavern on Bussell Hwy at Margaret River. Photo credit Ric Chan

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