Earlier this week I caught up with long term Gracetown resident/surfer Russell Catto. Russ has had a successful surfing career at State level and won two Australian Surfing Titles. He has also been a head judge at State, National and World surfing levels. In 1975 he won WASRA’s Surfer of the Year award and in 2000 was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his sporting achievements by Prime Minister John Howard and the Governor General.
During his career Russ recovered from major accidents in 1974 (car accident heading down south) and 1996 (spinal injury surfing Gero) to get back to a high level of surfing and win his second National Title in 2005.
Russell: Since 2007 my partner Deb and I have lived on my sailing boat Lady Ann II (S&S 34). We travel round Australia during winter months and return to land during the cyclone season. We are keen travelers and have just returned from an amazing adventure in Lapland.Lapland has minus 30deg temp and guarantees a white Xmas 😬.
Russ (age 64) is retired but is still a keen surfer and surfs the East Coast during winter and the West Coast (SW and NW) during summer.
Image #1. 1975 Russ receiving the WASRA Surfer of Year trophy from previous winner Ian Cairns. West Australian Newspaper photo.
Russell:This photo was taken after my traffic accident and I am hiding my broken left hand behind the trophy.
Image #2. 1990s Russ surfing North Point. Unidentified photographer.
Image #3. 2000 Australian Sports Award to Russell Catto.
Image #4. 2009 Russ & Deb sailing the Top End of Oz in Lady Ann II. Russ pic.
Russell:This photo shows us coming in to anchor and how the boat was set up for our adventure across the top thru croc country…..hence towing an aluminum dingy as opposed to an inflatable!!😬ha ha
Image #5. 2009 Russ & Deb sailing the Great Barrier Reef’s Lizard Island in Lady Ann II . Russ pic.
Image #6. 2018 Russ & Jim searching through Russ’s surf memorabilia at Dunsborough. Kath King pic.
Coming soon, more stories on surfer/sailor Russell Catto.
Earlier this week I caught up with long term Gracetown resident/surfer Russell Catto. Russ has had a successful surfing career at State level and won two Australian Surfing Titles. He has also been a head judge at State, National and World surfing levels. In 1975 he won WASRA’s Surfer of the Year award and in 2000 was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his sporting achievements by Prime Minister John Howard and the Governor General.
During his career Russ recovered from major accidents in 1974 (car accident heading down south) and 1996 (spinal injury surfing Gero) to get back to a high level of surfing and win his second National Title in 2005.
Russell: Since 2007 my partner Deb and I have lived on my sailing boat Lady Ann II (S&S 34). We travel round Australia during winter months and return to land during the cyclone season. We are keen travelers and have just returned from an amazing adventure in Lapland. Lapland has minus 30deg temp and guarantees a white Xmas 😬.
Russ (age 64) is retired but is still a keen surfer and surfs the East Coast during winter and the West Coast (SW and NW) during summer.
Image #1. 1975 Russ receiving the WASRA Surfer of Year trophy from previous winner Ian Cairns. West Australian Newspaper photo.
Russell: This photo was taken after my traffic accident and I am hiding my broken left hand behind the trophy.
Image #2. 1990s Russ surfing North Point. Unidentified photographer.
Image #3. 2000 Australian Sports Award to Russell Catto.
Image #4. 2009 Russ & Deb sailing the Top End of Oz in Lady Ann II. Russ pic.
Russell: This photo shows us coming in to anchor and how the boat was set up for our adventure across the top thru croc country…..hence towing an aluminum dingy as opposed to an inflatable!!😬ha ha
Image #5. 2009 Russ & Deb sailing the Great Barrier Reef’s Lizard Island in Lady Ann II . Russ pic.
Image #6. 2018 Russ & Jim searching through Russ’s surf memorabilia at Dunsborough. Kath King pic.
Coming soon, more stories on surfer/sailor Russell Catto.
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