Former Cottesloe surfer Barry Middleton surfed Metro and South West beaches in the late 60s. In the early 70s he moved down south and went on to pioneer surfing in Bali.
Barry now aged 66 lives in Burleigh Heads Queensland.
These are Barry’s recollections and photos: –
My surfing started on the tyre tube at Slimeys and Little reef between the pylon and groyne at Cottesloe.
Image: 1956 Barry and his brother with tyre tubes at North Cottesloe.
Image: 1964 Barry with family at Cottesloe beach.
Graduating to plywood, Lilo, coolite then onto the fiberglass Malibu.
Wanting to buy a Malibu I earned a quid delivering and selling Daily News at the footy and Claremont Speedway, then in 1966 I bought a 9ft 3” Three Stringer Hawke Malibu which I stored at my sister’s place at Dutchies (Dutch Inn).
Wheeling my Hawke on a pram base and sometimes paddling up to the Cove. I later met Ian Cairns who lived closer to the Cove and kindly let me store my Hawke Malibu and pram at his place which was a short trip across the Sea View golf course to the Cove.
Image: 1967 Barry surfing the Cove on his Hawke Malibu.
Wanting to expand my surfing and just surf I left Tarni Boardriders, the Cove and F.P.A. (Fremantle Port Authority) behind and moved to Yallingup with George Simpson and Grant Robinson R.I.P.
We spent our days surfing and exploring Down South, which was such an exhilarating time. The challenge of riding the winter monsters with George and Grant – we had no fear and just went hard!
My surfers’ knots on my ankles and knees from knee paddling a Malibu had receded because I was now riding shortboards.
Image: 1968 Barry surfing Rocky Point Eagle Bay
Image: 1969 Barry with Jacko 5’10” shortboard.
Image: 1969 Barry at Red Gate Margaret River
Image: 1969 Barry with Blaxell 5’9” shortboard (image water damaged).
In my eyes George, Ian cairns and Robert ‘Bonza’ Conneeley were the champions of big wave surfing down south back then. On the big days while surfing with them, I saw them doing unimaginable things in big waves.
George was the Sheriff on the land and a spartan in huge surf, true living legends.
Image: 1969 Margaret River main break.
Image: 1970 Barry surfing Margaret River main break
Image: 1970s Barry with SW crew at rear of Surfside Store Yallingup.
L-R. George Simpson, Vicky, Ann, Robbo R.I.P. and Barry Middleton.
Image: 1970s Barry with Jacko Surfboard at Yallingup beach
Image: 1971 Barry with Smiths Valley crew (image water damaged)
L-R. George Simpson, Gail, Chris Brennon R.I.P. and Barry Middleton.
Image: 1971 Smiths Valley rental house where Barry lived with George and Robbo.
L-R. George Simpson, Chris Brennon R.I.P., Geoff and Owlie
Image: 1971 Smiths Valley rental house where Barry lived with George and Robbo. (image water damaged)
L-R. Grant Robinson R.I.P. and Barry Middleton
Image: 1972 Cottesloe boys with Barry’s VW sedan at Trigg Point.
L-R: Barry Middleton, Phil Taylor & Nick Golowyn R.I.P.
Image: 1970s The crew at Dave’s Condon’s place in Cottesloe
L-R Nick Golowyn R.I.P., Charlotte, Barry Middleton, Dave Condon and Grant ‘Robbo’ Robinson R.I.P.
The wet and cold South West winters got to me and seeking a warmer climate and surf, I was ready for a new adventure.
I remember photos of my father’s 1963 trip and stories of Bali when he went there on the HMAS Diamantina to take goodwill medical supplies for the victims of the Mount Agung eruption (one of the most devasting volcano eruptions in Indonesian history).
During that time he told me of the strained tension politically and military with Indonesia, he said action stations and blackouts were called on numerous occasions which had them nervous as they only had 2 x 4 inch guns and 2 x 40 mm bofors (an automatic single or double-barreled anti-aircraft gun with a 40 mm bore).
Now I was following them and I was on my way to Indonesia and Bali.
There wasn’t an international airport to Bali so I went to Darwin in early 1971 then travelled onto Portuguese Timor (East Timor).
The Timorese peoples were very friendly and very helpful to me.
When buying something, it was always about 10 people deep to see what I had bought.
It was the first time, for many of them, especially kids, to see a white man with blonde hair.
I felt like a celebrity with crowds of people following me wherever I went.
Image: 1971 Barry on the beach in Dili Portuguese Timor.
After receiving an invitation from the President of Portuguese Timor, I began cutting my hair for the visit to the Palace of the President. At the Palace of the President of Portuguese Timor, I was given a huge banquet, gift of a Timorese rug and an arranged passage to take me to Kupang in West Timor.
Image: 1971 Barry outside Parliament in Dili East Timor.
The ship was taking a Balinese dancing troupe throughout the Indonesian archipelago and it was a great escape from the inquisitive tribes following me around.
Arriving in Kupang West Timor, which looked like Portuguese Fort on sea, the Captain introduced me to the Captain of the Indonesian disguised Polisi Ship, which I now embarked.
I met with the Chief of Police on the Polisi Ship, I showed a picture of my father – who was a policeman in Fremantle.
I was taken up on the Bridge with the Captain & Chief where I stayed for the duration of the journey, occasionally steering the ship looking at the charts and through the binoculars scouring the coasts and reefs for surf – which was the reason for going to Indonesia in the first place.
I couldn’t believe what was happening.
I was given a cabin with shower and meals, the red-carpet treatment throughout the trip.
Image: 1971 Changing ships at Kupang West Timor after visiting immigration and watching the Bali dance troupe performance.
Image: 1971 Barry heading back to ship with local after exploring Ende Flores and buying fruit at the market.
Image: 1971 Barry after leaving Maluk, Sumbawa and passing Southern Lombok.
The boat’s journey stopped at Ende Flores, Waingapu Sumba, Maluk Sumbawa, and then through to Bali – Lombok Strait to Surabaja Java.
I then bussed to Denpasar Bali and Bemo to Kuta and I finally arrived around July 1971 at a fishing village called Kuta in Bali.
My Epic surf adventure was about to begin.
Thanks Barry for sharing your story and vintage images.
Former Cottesloe surfer Barry Middleton surfed Metro and South West beaches in the late 60s. In the early 70s he moved down south and went on to pioneer surfing in Bali.
Barry now aged 66 lives in Burleigh Heads Queensland.
These are Barry’s recollections and photos: –
My surfing started on the tyre tube at Slimeys and Little reef between the pylon and groyne at Cottesloe.
Image: 1956 Barry and his brother with tyre tubes at North Cottesloe.
Image: 1964 Barry with family at Cottesloe beach.
Graduating to plywood, Lilo, coolite then onto the fiberglass Malibu.
Wanting to buy a Malibu I earned a quid delivering and selling Daily News at the footy and Claremont Speedway, then in 1966 I bought a 9ft 3” Three Stringer Hawke Malibu which I stored at my sister’s place at Dutchies (Dutch Inn).
Wheeling my Hawke on a pram base and sometimes paddling up to the Cove. I later met Ian Cairns who lived closer to the Cove and kindly let me store my Hawke Malibu and pram at his place which was a short trip across the Sea View golf course to the Cove.
Image: 1967 Barry surfing the Cove on his Hawke Malibu.
Wanting to expand my surfing and just surf I left Tarni Boardriders, the Cove and F.P.A. (Fremantle Port Authority) behind and moved to Yallingup with George Simpson and Grant Robinson R.I.P.
We spent our days surfing and exploring Down South, which was such an exhilarating time. The challenge of riding the winter monsters with George and Grant – we had no fear and just went hard!
My surfers’ knots on my ankles and knees from knee paddling a Malibu had receded because I was now riding shortboards.
Image: 1968 Barry surfing Rocky Point Eagle Bay
Image: 1969 Barry with Jacko 5’10” shortboard.
Image: 1969 Barry at Red Gate Margaret River
Image: 1969 Barry with Blaxell 5’9” shortboard (image water damaged).
In my eyes George, Ian cairns and Robert ‘Bonza’ Conneeley were the champions of big wave surfing down south back then. On the big days while surfing with them, I saw them doing unimaginable things in big waves.
George was the Sheriff on the land and a spartan in huge surf, true living legends.
Image: 1969 Margaret River main break.
Image: 1970 Barry surfing Margaret River main break
Image: 1970s Barry with SW crew at rear of Surfside Store Yallingup.
L-R. George Simpson, Vicky, Ann, Robbo R.I.P. and Barry Middleton.
Image: 1970s Barry with Jacko Surfboard at Yallingup beach
Image: 1971 Barry with Smiths Valley crew (image water damaged)
L-R. George Simpson, Gail, Chris Brennon R.I.P. and Barry Middleton.
Image: 1971 Smiths Valley rental house where Barry lived with George and Robbo.
L-R. George Simpson, Chris Brennon R.I.P., Geoff and Owlie
Image: 1971 Smiths Valley rental house where Barry lived with George and Robbo. (image water damaged)
L-R. Grant Robinson R.I.P. and Barry Middleton
Image: 1972 Cottesloe boys with Barry’s VW sedan at Trigg Point.
L-R: Barry Middleton, Phil Taylor & Nick Golowyn R.I.P.
Image: 1970s The crew at Dave’s Condon’s place in Cottesloe
L-R Nick Golowyn R.I.P., Charlotte, Barry Middleton, Dave Condon and Grant ‘Robbo’ Robinson R.I.P.
The wet and cold South West winters got to me and seeking a warmer climate and surf, I was ready for a new adventure.
I remember photos of my father’s 1963 trip and stories of Bali when he went there on the HMAS Diamantina to take goodwill medical supplies for the victims of the Mount Agung eruption (one of the most devasting volcano eruptions in Indonesian history).
During that time he told me of the strained tension politically and military with Indonesia, he said action stations and blackouts were called on numerous occasions which had them nervous as they only had 2 x 4 inch guns and 2 x 40 mm bofors (an automatic single or double-barreled anti-aircraft gun with a 40 mm bore).
Now I was following them and I was on my way to Indonesia and Bali.
There wasn’t an international airport to Bali so I went to Darwin in early 1971 then travelled onto Portuguese Timor (East Timor).
The Timorese peoples were very friendly and very helpful to me.
When buying something, it was always about 10 people deep to see what I had bought.
It was the first time, for many of them, especially kids, to see a white man with blonde hair.
I felt like a celebrity with crowds of people following me wherever I went.
Image: 1971 Barry on the beach in Dili Portuguese Timor.
After receiving an invitation from the President of Portuguese Timor, I began cutting my hair for the visit to the Palace of the President. At the Palace of the President of Portuguese Timor, I was given a huge banquet, gift of a Timorese rug and an arranged passage to take me to Kupang in West Timor.
Image: 1971 Barry outside Parliament in Dili East Timor.
The ship was taking a Balinese dancing troupe throughout the Indonesian archipelago and it was a great escape from the inquisitive tribes following me around.
Arriving in Kupang West Timor, which looked like Portuguese Fort on sea, the Captain introduced me to the Captain of the Indonesian disguised Polisi Ship, which I now embarked.
I met with the Chief of Police on the Polisi Ship, I showed a picture of my father – who was a policeman in Fremantle.
I was taken up on the Bridge with the Captain & Chief where I stayed for the duration of the journey, occasionally steering the ship looking at the charts and through the binoculars scouring the coasts and reefs for surf – which was the reason for going to Indonesia in the first place.
I couldn’t believe what was happening.
I was given a cabin with shower and meals, the red-carpet treatment throughout the trip.
Image: 1971 Changing ships at Kupang West Timor after visiting immigration and watching the Bali dance troupe performance.
Image: 1971 Barry heading back to ship with local after exploring Ende Flores and buying fruit at the market.
Image: 1971 Barry after leaving Maluk, Sumbawa and passing Southern Lombok.
The boat’s journey stopped at Ende Flores, Waingapu Sumba, Maluk Sumbawa, and then through to Bali – Lombok Strait to Surabaja Java.
I then bussed to Denpasar Bali and Bemo to Kuta and I finally arrived around July 1971 at a fishing village called Kuta in Bali.
My Epic surf adventure was about to begin.
Thanks Barry for sharing your story and vintage images.
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