In the late 60’s and early 70’s WA surf photographer and writer Greg Woodward chased waves and captured surfing images in the South West capes region.
1970s Greg with his vintage Austin A40 sedan and Len Dibben Malibu surfboard.
Greg. “I was impressed with the big powerful waves at South Point on Cowaramup Bay at Gracetown and wrote an article about my experiences for Australia’s new Surf International magazine. The surf magazine published my story ‘A Place of Surf’ in 1969″.
INtroduction to Greg’s article in 1969 Surf International magazine. Excerpt from Greg’s ‘A Place of Surf’ article in 1969 Surf International magazine.
Greg. “This was my first and only connect with big surf, so the article is a bit over the top. However, that is a mean wave and very gutsy riders on it. Everyone is different – what is a big deal for me, seeing WA State Champion Peter Bothwell surfing that wave was for him just a natural everyday event!”
1967 Unidentified surfer South Point. Greg Woodward pic. 1967 Unidentified goofy foot surfer South Point. Greg Woodward pic. 1968 Unidentified surfer South Point. Greg Woodward pic. 1969 Peter Bothwell backhand surfing South Point. Greg Woodward pic.
Peter Bothwell. “My recollections aren’t good enough to remember the day, but it must have been late 68 because the West Coast board ridden isn’t the one I used in the 68 Australian Titles, probably the summer of 68/69 given that there is no wet suit. However, I do remember Greg from that time.
I have found another photo of that day, with me standing on the point
with my West Coaster surfboard, you are welcome to it. (see image below).
In the late 60s I didn’t really surf South Point, but in the mid-sixties
when I surfed a lot with Yallingup Board Club surfers Brian Boynes, Mick
Lindsay, Geoff Berry and Mark Waddell we would go straight to Margaret River
from Yallingup and usually surf South Point on the way back to Yallingup. So in
69 we would always check it out as a matter of habit. The South Point wave
itself is more suited to the goofy-footers who can take off deeper.
When the swell was big in the south west Brian Boynes considered Yallingup
more dangerous that Margaret River main break. His thoughts were that if you
have a mishap at Margs your surfboards gets washed in and at Yalls it doesn’t!
So we always drove to Margs if the swell was big!”
1969 Peter Bothwell with his single fin West Coast Surfboard on the rocks at South Point. This image was taken by an unknown photographer the same day as Greg’s pic above
Bonus pic
1980 South Point line-up fanned by fresh offshore breeze. Greg Woodward pic.
Thanks Greg and Peter for sharing your South Point memories.
In the late 60’s and early 70’s WA surf photographer and writer Greg Woodward chased waves and captured surfing images in the South West capes region.
Greg. “I was impressed with the big powerful waves at South Point on Cowaramup Bay at Gracetown and wrote an article about my experiences for Australia’s new Surf International magazine. The surf magazine published my story ‘A Place of Surf’ in 1969″.
Greg. “This was my first and only connect with big surf, so the article is a bit over the top. However, that is a mean wave and very gutsy riders on it. Everyone is different – what is a big deal for me, seeing WA State Champion Peter Bothwell surfing that wave was for him just a natural everyday event!”
Peter Bothwell. “My recollections aren’t good enough to remember the day, but it must have been late 68 because the West Coast board ridden isn’t the one I used in the 68 Australian Titles, probably the summer of 68/69 given that there is no wet suit. However, I do remember Greg from that time.
I have found another photo of that day, with me standing on the point with my West Coaster surfboard, you are welcome to it. (see image below).
In the late 60s I didn’t really surf South Point, but in the mid-sixties when I surfed a lot with Yallingup Board Club surfers Brian Boynes, Mick Lindsay, Geoff Berry and Mark Waddell we would go straight to Margaret River from Yallingup and usually surf South Point on the way back to Yallingup. So in 69 we would always check it out as a matter of habit. The South Point wave itself is more suited to the goofy-footers who can take off deeper.
When the swell was big in the south west Brian Boynes considered Yallingup more dangerous that Margaret River main break. His thoughts were that if you have a mishap at Margs your surfboards gets washed in and at Yalls it doesn’t! So we always drove to Margs if the swell was big!”
Bonus pic
Thanks Greg and Peter for sharing your South Point memories.
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