Scarborough surfer Russell Catto moved to Gracetown in the early 70s to surf Down South. Over the years he has been part of many WA State Teams competing around Australia at various Aussie Titles. He has also been a top judge at National and International surfing levels.
Since 2009 Russ has been sailing and surfing around Oz.
Russ (age 64) has two sons Cadeyn and James and daughter Candice, plus five grand kids. With the two eldest Byron and Kalani also very keen and competitive surfers. Russ still lives in Gracetown and surfs like a grommet.
This is Russell’s story.
I grew up in Scarborough riding coolites in the early 60s. My brothers Ian, Martin and I found coolites under the Xmas tree at about 5am Xmas morning and nagged our parents from dawn to head to the beach.
Image: 1960s Catto bros Ian, Martin and Russell with coolites at Scarborough.
Our father told us to hang on tight, took hold of the nose and dragged us out the back and waited for a set wave before launching us over the edge whether we wanted to go or not! As we became more confident, within a few waves we were able to stand up and mostly, dodged the swimmers except for some older ladies in bathing caps that always seemed to go the wrong way.
I don’t recall seeing any other kids on them before that day and I don’t think any of the swimmers had either! Anyway it wasn’t long before our numbers grew along with collisions and we were banned from surfing our coolites between the flags.
Over the years we added shaped wooden fins by cutting a slot and setting the fin in with molten candle wax. These improved the performance amazingly and stopped us side slipping down the face when we tried to ‘cut’ across the wave.
I was inspired by the likes of Tony Hardy and Fred Annesley and the ’69 Aussie Titles held in Margaret River. Wayne Lynch and Nat Young put on amazing performances.
In 1970 I ran away from home at age 16 to go surfing Down South. We slept at Margaret’s car park (gravel back then) and woke up to perfect surf that I thought looked about 6 foot, bigger on the sets, no one out and Tony Hardy sitting on his Mini Minor station wagon getting ready. It was only after about 15 minutes after he disappeared down the limestone cliff face that I saw this tiny speck paddling into the line-up, that I realised how big it really was and my 5’2” Len Dibben twin fin was the only small thing, apart from us, here.
After a challenging and intimidation first surf we headed to a mosquito pit called Huzza’s, surfed South Point and then Huzza on a rapidly rising swell. By Sunday morning Margaret’s was reported to be 15 feet, the Bay was joining up occasionally and we thought North Point looked incredible. Another rude awakening pursued as we tried to outrun some horrifying barrels that made Margaret’s look tame the day before!
But I was hooked and started heading South every weekend after that.
Image: 1970 Russ surfing Boodji beach Margaret River. Peter Wood pic.
By 1971, I was travelling down south each weekend to go surfing with Tony Hardy. Taking turns alternating cars.
On one occasion a strong offshore wind blew my VW Beetle from the Trigg Point car park over the sand cliff and onto the beach. 😊
Image: 1971 Russ (age 17) in his VW Beetle at Scarborough. Russ pic.
In the 70s I was best man at Tony and Jackie Hardy’s wedding in Scarborough.
Image: 1970s Russ and Tony Hardy dressed for the wedding. Russ pic.
In 1972 at age 18 I bought a block of land at Gracetown overlooking North Point and South Point. It cost me $610 and was next to Tony and Jackie Hardy’s place. Tony ‘Harbo’ Harbison built Tony’s house and I along with my parents and brothers built mine. During the house construction process in ‘74, both mine and Tony’s house were blown down during a big storm.
We had two years to build the houses to get title to the land, and the bank wouldn’t loan money without title, so I had to initially borrow the money from my parents.
My dad got interested in a holiday home at Gracetown and ended up buying a block and building a house in front of mine.
Images: Russ and his Dad’s houses under construction Gracetown. Russ pics.
Top: Russ’s house under construction.
Bottom: Russ’s dad’s house under construction.
I recall Tony ‘Harbo’s’ green short wheel base Toyota Landcruiser and a bunch of us hanging off the roof, bonnet and sides bashing a path through the scrub to create the old track along the dunes to Lefties surf break. This dirt track and its rocky car park was closed by Dept of Conservation & Environment (DEC) in the late 70s for environmental reasons.
Image: Late 1970s the old dirt car park overlooking Lefties. Ric Chan pic.
I also recall during the early 70s, Mark Richards NSW on a twin fin winning a Junior Aussie Title at Lefties narrowly from Craig Bettenay. Excellent surfing by both, there is some film footage somewhere of it!
Image: 1974 Russ surfing in WA State Titles held at Guillotine. Ric Chan pic.
In 1974 after returning from the Aussie Titles in Queensland, I was a passenger in a car that went off the road and hit a telegraph pole. My hand was smashed in to the pole breaking the bones and taking the skin off. After the accident, I couldn’t put weight on my hand and had to use my elbow to get up on my surfboard. Ian ‘Kanga’ Cairns nicknamed me ‘Claw’ and encouraged my rehabilitation back into surfing by taking me out at large ‘P’ Break (Injidup) to improve my ‘Late Take-offs.’
Image: 1975 Russ recovery from hand injury. Media article ex West Newspapers.
In 1975 I managed to get even with Ian by beating him in the first Pro Contest in WA “The Ocean Invitational Contest” held Trigg Point in March 1975 and he had to hand over WASRA’s ‘Surfer of the Year’ trophy to me in 1975.
Image: 1975 Review of inaugural Oceans Invitational Surf Contest at Trigg Point. Doug White’s Wave Length.
Contest results:
Russell Catto
Ian Cairns
Ric Gath
Gary Greirson
Steve Cockburn
Kim Hewton
Image: 1975 Presentations Oceans Invitational Surf Contest in Trigg Point car park. Ric Chan pic
L-R Pat Cairns, Barry Day, Ian Cairns and Russ Catto.
Image: 1975 Russ wins Surfer of the Year Award. Doug White Wave length column Sunday Times.
Image: 1975 Russ receiving Surfer of the year trophy from former world professional surfing champion Ian cairns.
Image: 1975 Surf trek north to Jakes Point Kalbarri. Article by Randall Owens Independent Newspaper.
In the 70s I took part in many State Teams around Australia at various Aussie Titles.
Image: 1974 Russ in his Holden sedan at Aust Titles Burleigh Heads Qld. Steve Cockburn pic
In 75 Aussie Tiles in South Australia I beat mark Warren NSW in an early heat with Peter Townsend winning the heat wearing controversial “sucker” soled booties to combat the slippery water, but unfortunately, I didn’t make the final.
Image: 1975 Preview Aussie Titles South Australia. Randall Owens West Curl column Independent News.
Image: 1976 Russ riding Tom Hoye surfboard at Trigg. Ric Chan pic.
Image: 1978 Spring Titles sponsored by Oceans surf shop. Randall Owens West Coast Tubes. Independent News.
Open: Steve Williams 1. Russ Catto 2. Ric Gath 3.
Image: 1978 Review of State Titles at Margaret River. Randall Owens West Coast Tubes Independent News.
Open: Tony Hardy 1. Ken MacKenzie 2. Russ Catto 3.
Ian and I were the first surfers to surf ‘The Box’ at Margaret River in 1975-76. During a State round I lost my board at Main Break and we paddled to relieve it before the current took it around the point. We surfed waves at The Box while there.
In 1979-80 I qualified for the Coke $10,000 Surfabout and Bells Beach Easter Pro-Am contests and Pro Trial competitions as part of a blossoming Pro Circuit in Oz.
Image: 1975 Coke Surfabout and Aussie Titles in South Aust. Randall Owens West Curl column Independent News.
Image: 1978-79 IPS Pro tournament circuit. Randall Owens West Coast Tubes Independent News.
An interesting incident occurred after an extremely taxing time getting sponsorship etc, packing all day and finally arriving at Norseman at 2am, and my then wife Mandie and I trying to move boards, set up camp with 1 and 2 year boys in tow, things must have been a little frayed.
Well in the morning I got up to apologise to our elderly neighbours about the noise, when the gentlemen said, “that’s ok, we remember going camping with our kids.” Pointing to the blonde curly haired grommets he asked….”so which one of you little rascals is Mandie?”
Needless to say, we said nothing and left quickly 😊
Image: 1978-79 Russell’s kids Cadelyn and James in the back of Kombi. Russ pic.
In 1979 I got a ‘centre spread’ shot of me surfing North Point in an article on WA in Surfing Magazine (US) by Arron Chang.
Image: 1979 Russ giving the ‘thumbs up’ in North Point curl. Aaron Chang pic.
Image: 1979 Looking at Russell’s favourite surf spot – Big Rock. Doug White Wave Length column Sunday Times.
Image: 1979 Rip Curl sponsor WA Surf Team featuring Chris Fullston, Russell Catto and Ric Gath. Doug White Wave Length Column. Sunday Times.
Image: 1990s Russ surfing North Point. Photographer unknown.
Images: 1990s Russ surfing South Point. Doug pics.
In 1991 I won my first Aussie Surfing Title (Master div) and another in 2005 (Over 50 div).
Image: 1991 WA State Team Aussie titles South Aust.
Image: 1991 Russ on his way to winning Masters Title at Aussie Titles held at Middleton Beach South Aust. Photographer unknown .
In 2000 I placed 2nd in the O/45s National Finals in Tasmania. It was not a win but was of huge importance to me as it was a goal I set “TO COMPLETE IN ANOTHER AUSSIE TITLE” as I lay in hospital, not knowing if I would ever surf again.
Image: 2005 Russ wins Legends Over 50s Title at Aussie Titles held Soldiers Beach NSW.
I started judging State Contests in 70s and in 1988 became Head Judge WA Judge. I was head judge for many years and was privileged watching the competitive growth and brilliance of future WCT stars Jake Paterson, Melanie Redman, Taj Burrow and Claire Bevilacqua.
Image: WasRAP Newsletter declaring Russell best Head Judge in Oz.
Won Top Judging awards at Aussie titles and went on to judge:-
1991 World Junior Titles in Bali;
1990s Head Judge several Aussie Titles; and
2000 Head Judge World Titles in Brazil.
Image: 2000 Russ Head Judge (with two others from other countries) at World Surfing Games in Brazil.
In 1996 I free fell down a wave face during a contest in Geraldton and badly damaged my spine. Doctors told me I might not surf again! After a hideous two-year rehabilitation (nappies etc) I managed to win another Aussie Title in 2005. That win gave me great satisfaction!
In 2000 Surfing WA documented my surfing achievements and injuries in their nomination for the Australian Sports Person Award.
Image: 2000 Russ’s nomination for Sports Person Award by Surfing WA.
Images: 1997 Aussie Surf Titles Flat Rock Geraldton.
Top: Russ and Mike McAuliffe at contest site
Bottom: Surfing WA’s Tim Thirst and Head Judge Russ Catto with contest judges.
I was awarded the ‘Australian Sports Person of the Year 2000 by the Governor General and Prime Minister. for services to surfing.
Image: 2000 Russ’s Australian Sports Medal.
Left: Award letter from Governor General
Right: Australian Sports Award signed by Governor general and Prime Minister.
Images: 2000 Russ surfing North Point. Photographer Russell Ord.
In 2001 I was asked to be Head Judge along with fellow WA judge Steve Graybrook and design a contest to suit the “Banawangi G-Land Challenge Invitational Surf Competition (Indo). Thirty of the planets best Tube Riders were invited and 15ft surf at G-Land became the challenge. Probably one of, if not the first pro comp to allow jet skis to ferry the surfers back to the take-off, due to the super strong current and the fact that surf photographers were getting amazing footage. Because of the excellent conditions, I told judges to judge ‘every wave ridden’ within time period. Some surfers had 15-16 waves and their scores went over the page to the back of their scoring sheets.
Image: 2000 Russ in the barrel at North Point. Photographer unknown.
Both my sons are very competent surfers with some contest success. My youngest son James (40) is a talented free surfer has been sponsored over the years, first by Rip Curl and then Rusty.
Image: 2008 Double-Page spread of James Catto surfing Cow Bombie in Altitude magazine.
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.
Images: 2009 Lady Ann II sailing around Oz.
Left: Sailing Top End of Oz.
Right: Sailing Lizard Island Qld.
Thanks Russ for sharing your recollections and images.
Scarborough surfer Russell Catto moved to Gracetown in the early 70s to surf Down South. Over the years he has been part of many WA State Teams competing around Australia at various Aussie Titles. He has also been a top judge at National and International surfing levels.
Since 2009 Russ has been sailing and surfing around Oz.
Russ (age 64) has two sons Cadeyn and James and daughter Candice, plus five grand kids. With the two eldest Byron and Kalani also very keen and competitive surfers. Russ still lives in Gracetown and surfs like a grommet.
This is Russell’s story.
I grew up in Scarborough riding coolites in the early 60s. My brothers Ian, Martin and I found coolites under the Xmas tree at about 5am Xmas morning and nagged our parents from dawn to head to the beach.
Image: 1960s Catto bros Ian, Martin and Russell with coolites at Scarborough.
Our father told us to hang on tight, took hold of the nose and dragged us out the back and waited for a set wave before launching us over the edge whether we wanted to go or not! As we became more confident, within a few waves we were able to stand up and mostly, dodged the swimmers except for some older ladies in bathing caps that always seemed to go the wrong way.
I don’t recall seeing any other kids on them before that day and I don’t think any of the swimmers had either! Anyway it wasn’t long before our numbers grew along with collisions and we were banned from surfing our coolites between the flags.
Over the years we added shaped wooden fins by cutting a slot and setting the fin in with molten candle wax. These improved the performance amazingly and stopped us side slipping down the face when we tried to ‘cut’ across the wave.
I was inspired by the likes of Tony Hardy and Fred Annesley and the ’69 Aussie Titles held in Margaret River. Wayne Lynch and Nat Young put on amazing performances.
In 1970 I ran away from home at age 16 to go surfing Down South. We slept at Margaret’s car park (gravel back then) and woke up to perfect surf that I thought looked about 6 foot, bigger on the sets, no one out and Tony Hardy sitting on his Mini Minor station wagon getting ready. It was only after about 15 minutes after he disappeared down the limestone cliff face that I saw this tiny speck paddling into the line-up, that I realised how big it really was and my 5’2” Len Dibben twin fin was the only small thing, apart from us, here.
After a challenging and intimidation first surf we headed to a mosquito pit called Huzza’s, surfed South Point and then Huzza on a rapidly rising swell. By Sunday morning Margaret’s was reported to be 15 feet, the Bay was joining up occasionally and we thought North Point looked incredible. Another rude awakening pursued as we tried to outrun some horrifying barrels that made Margaret’s look tame the day before!
But I was hooked and started heading South every weekend after that.
Image: 1970 Russ surfing Boodji beach Margaret River. Peter Wood pic.
By 1971, I was travelling down south each weekend to go surfing with Tony Hardy. Taking turns alternating cars.
On one occasion a strong offshore wind blew my VW Beetle from the Trigg Point car park over the sand cliff and onto the beach. 😊
Image: 1971 Russ (age 17) in his VW Beetle at Scarborough. Russ pic.
In the 70s I was best man at Tony and Jackie Hardy’s wedding in Scarborough.
Image: 1970s Russ and Tony Hardy dressed for the wedding. Russ pic.
In 1972 at age 18 I bought a block of land at Gracetown overlooking North Point and South Point. It cost me $610 and was next to Tony and Jackie Hardy’s place. Tony ‘Harbo’ Harbison built Tony’s house and I along with my parents and brothers built mine. During the house construction process in ‘74, both mine and Tony’s house were blown down during a big storm.
We had two years to build the houses to get title to the land, and the bank wouldn’t loan money without title, so I had to initially borrow the money from my parents.
My dad got interested in a holiday home at Gracetown and ended up buying a block and building a house in front of mine.
Images: Russ and his Dad’s houses under construction Gracetown. Russ pics.
Top: Russ’s house under construction.
Bottom: Russ’s dad’s house under construction.
I recall Tony ‘Harbo’s’ green short wheel base Toyota Landcruiser and a bunch of us hanging off the roof, bonnet and sides bashing a path through the scrub to create the old track along the dunes to Lefties surf break. This dirt track and its rocky car park was closed by Dept of Conservation & Environment (DEC) in the late 70s for environmental reasons.
Image: Late 1970s the old dirt car park overlooking Lefties. Ric Chan pic.
I also recall during the early 70s, Mark Richards NSW on a twin fin winning a Junior Aussie Title at Lefties narrowly from Craig Bettenay. Excellent surfing by both, there is some film footage somewhere of it!
Image: 1974 Russ surfing in WA State Titles held at Guillotine. Ric Chan pic.
In 1974 after returning from the Aussie Titles in Queensland, I was a passenger in a car that went off the road and hit a telegraph pole. My hand was smashed in to the pole breaking the bones and taking the skin off. After the accident, I couldn’t put weight on my hand and had to use my elbow to get up on my surfboard. Ian ‘Kanga’ Cairns nicknamed me ‘Claw’ and encouraged my rehabilitation back into surfing by taking me out at large ‘P’ Break (Injidup) to improve my ‘Late Take-offs.’
Image: 1975 Russ recovery from hand injury. Media article ex West Newspapers.
In 1975 I managed to get even with Ian by beating him in the first Pro Contest in WA “The Ocean Invitational Contest” held Trigg Point in March 1975 and he had to hand over WASRA’s ‘Surfer of the Year’ trophy to me in 1975.
Image: 1975 Review of inaugural Oceans Invitational Surf Contest at Trigg Point. Doug White’s Wave Length.
Contest results:
Image: 1975 Presentations Oceans Invitational Surf Contest in Trigg Point car park. Ric Chan pic
L-R Pat Cairns, Barry Day, Ian Cairns and Russ Catto.
Image: 1975 Russ wins Surfer of the Year Award. Doug White Wave length column Sunday Times.
Image: 1975 Russ receiving Surfer of the year trophy from former world professional surfing champion Ian cairns.
Image: 1975 Surf trek north to Jakes Point Kalbarri. Article by Randall Owens Independent Newspaper.
In the 70s I took part in many State Teams around Australia at various Aussie Titles.
Image: 1974 Russ in his Holden sedan at Aust Titles Burleigh Heads Qld. Steve Cockburn pic
In 75 Aussie Tiles in South Australia I beat mark Warren NSW in an early heat with Peter Townsend winning the heat wearing controversial “sucker” soled booties to combat the slippery water, but unfortunately, I didn’t make the final.
Image: 1975 Preview Aussie Titles South Australia. Randall Owens West Curl column Independent News.
Image: 1976 Russ riding Tom Hoye surfboard at Trigg. Ric Chan pic.
Image: 1978 Spring Titles sponsored by Oceans surf shop. Randall Owens West Coast Tubes. Independent News.
Open: Steve Williams 1. Russ Catto 2. Ric Gath 3.
Image: 1978 Review of State Titles at Margaret River. Randall Owens West Coast Tubes Independent News.
Open: Tony Hardy 1. Ken MacKenzie 2. Russ Catto 3.
Ian and I were the first surfers to surf ‘The Box’ at Margaret River in 1975-76. During a State round I lost my board at Main Break and we paddled to relieve it before the current took it around the point. We surfed waves at The Box while there.
In 1979-80 I qualified for the Coke $10,000 Surfabout and Bells Beach Easter Pro-Am contests and Pro Trial competitions as part of a blossoming Pro Circuit in Oz.
Image: 1975 Coke Surfabout and Aussie Titles in South Aust. Randall Owens West Curl column Independent News.
Image: 1978-79 IPS Pro tournament circuit. Randall Owens West Coast Tubes Independent News.
An interesting incident occurred after an extremely taxing time getting sponsorship etc, packing all day and finally arriving at Norseman at 2am, and my then wife Mandie and I trying to move boards, set up camp with 1 and 2 year boys in tow, things must have been a little frayed.
Well in the morning I got up to apologise to our elderly neighbours about the noise, when the gentlemen said, “that’s ok, we remember going camping with our kids.” Pointing to the blonde curly haired grommets he asked….”so which one of you little rascals is Mandie?”
Needless to say, we said nothing and left quickly 😊
Image: 1978-79 Russell’s kids Cadelyn and James in the back of Kombi. Russ pic.
In 1979 I got a ‘centre spread’ shot of me surfing North Point in an article on WA in Surfing Magazine (US) by Arron Chang.
Image: 1979 Russ giving the ‘thumbs up’ in North Point curl. Aaron Chang pic.
Image: 1979 Looking at Russell’s favourite surf spot – Big Rock. Doug White Wave Length column Sunday Times.
Image: 1979 Rip Curl sponsor WA Surf Team featuring Chris Fullston, Russell Catto and Ric Gath. Doug White Wave Length Column. Sunday Times.
Image: 1990s Russ surfing North Point. Photographer unknown.
Images: 1990s Russ surfing South Point. Doug pics.
In 1991 I won my first Aussie Surfing Title (Master div) and another in 2005 (Over 50 div).
Image: 1991 WA State Team Aussie titles South Aust.
Image: 1991 Russ on his way to winning Masters Title at Aussie Titles held at Middleton Beach South Aust. Photographer unknown .
In 2000 I placed 2nd in the O/45s National Finals in Tasmania. It was not a win but was of huge importance to me as it was a goal I set “TO COMPLETE IN ANOTHER AUSSIE TITLE” as I lay in hospital, not knowing if I would ever surf again.
Image: 2000 Aussie Titles Tasmania. Wayne Murphy Surfing column Independent News.
Russell 2nd Over 45 Grand Masters final.
Image: 2005 Russ wins Legends Over 50s Title at Aussie Titles held Soldiers Beach NSW.
I started judging State Contests in 70s and in 1988 became Head Judge WA Judge. I was head judge for many years and was privileged watching the competitive growth and brilliance of future WCT stars Jake Paterson, Melanie Redman, Taj Burrow and Claire Bevilacqua.
Image: WasRAP Newsletter declaring Russell best Head Judge in Oz.
Won Top Judging awards at Aussie titles and went on to judge:-
Image: 2000 Russ Head Judge (with two others from other countries) at World Surfing Games in Brazil.
In 1996 I free fell down a wave face during a contest in Geraldton and badly damaged my spine. Doctors told me I might not surf again! After a hideous two-year rehabilitation (nappies etc) I managed to win another Aussie Title in 2005. That win gave me great satisfaction!
In 2000 Surfing WA documented my surfing achievements and injuries in their nomination for the Australian Sports Person Award.
Image: 2000 Russ’s nomination for Sports Person Award by Surfing WA.
Images: 1997 Aussie Surf Titles Flat Rock Geraldton.
Top: Russ and Mike McAuliffe at contest site
Bottom: Surfing WA’s Tim Thirst and Head Judge Russ Catto with contest judges.
I was awarded the ‘Australian Sports Person of the Year 2000 by the Governor General and Prime Minister. for services to surfing.
Image: 2000 Russ’s Australian Sports Medal.
Left: Award letter from Governor General
Right: Australian Sports Award signed by Governor general and Prime Minister.
Images: 2000 Russ surfing North Point. Photographer Russell Ord.
In 2001 I was asked to be Head Judge along with fellow WA judge Steve Graybrook and design a contest to suit the “Banawangi G-Land Challenge Invitational Surf Competition (Indo). Thirty of the planets best Tube Riders were invited and 15ft surf at G-Land became the challenge. Probably one of, if not the first pro comp to allow jet skis to ferry the surfers back to the take-off, due to the super strong current and the fact that surf photographers were getting amazing footage. Because of the excellent conditions, I told judges to judge ‘every wave ridden’ within time period. Some surfers had 15-16 waves and their scores went over the page to the back of their scoring sheets.
Image: 2000 Russ in the barrel at North Point. Photographer unknown.
Both my sons are very competent surfers with some contest success. My youngest son James (40) is a talented free surfer has been sponsored over the years, first by Rip Curl and then Rusty.
Image: 2008 Double-Page spread of James Catto surfing Cow Bombie in Altitude magazine.
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.
Images: 2009 Lady Ann II sailing around Oz.
Left: Sailing Top End of Oz.
Right: Sailing Lizard Island Qld.
Thanks Russ for sharing your recollections and images.
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