WA surf pioneer Tony Burgess (age 80) of North Beach passed away 8 June 2021.
The late Tony Burgess formerly from Geraldton moved to the city in 1955 age 14. When he arrived, he could not swim but started surfing with his stepbrother Les Gillies on the reef at North Cottesloe, Cable Station, Dutch Inn & Vera View.
Tony surfed locally with his North Cottesloe SLSC mates Don Bancroft, Cliff Hills, Steve Mailey, Mark Paterson & Les Gillies. The boys used to paddle from North Cottesloe SLSC Club to surf breaks in the Cottesloe region.
Later Tony joined his North Cottesloe SLSC mates chasing waves Down South, before heading over East and then Overseas in the early 60s.
1960 Tony and mates at Madura Pub WA on interstate surf trip to the East Coast of OZ. Steve Mailey pic L-R Alan Hamer, Steve Mailey, Bob Keenan, Hotel proprietor, Tony Burgess & Les Gillies.
This blog focuses on Tony’s surf trip to South Africa 1964-65.
Les Gillies: “Tony left for South Africa in 1964 by ship. The ship to South Africa left Aust for South Africa four times a year (every 3 mths). Bob ‘Puppy Dog’ Paton left for South Africa from Sydney, the rest of us left from WA approx.18 months after Tony. Margaret River surf pioneers Mal Bromley & Warren McKinney were on the ship with us in 1965. Warren McKinney married a local girl and sailed a yacht to Barbados. His wife made women’s bathers”.
1964 Durban Beach South Africa1964 Tony surfing Durban South Africa1965 Tony’s work mates Durban South Africa.1964 unidentified surfer Durban South Africa1964 unidentified surfers Durban South Africa1965 Nipper, Stork, Slim, Mal with Ken ‘Digger’ Bailey in middle deck chair. Durban South Africa 1964 Ron Perrot, Ian Harwood, Jimmy Pike & Tony Burgess in VW Kombi on the way to Cape St Francis South Africa.1964 Ron Perrot, Ian Harwood, Jimmy Pike & Tony Burgess with VW Kombi and boards on the way to Cape Town South Africa.1965 Road sign to Cape St Francis South Africa. Les Gillies pic1965 Beach accommodation South Africa.1964 Ron Perrot, Ian Harwood, Jimmy Pike & Tony Burgess at Elands Bay South Africa.1967 Les Gillies surfing Elands Bay South Africa. Les Gillies pic1965 Beachscape South Africa.1965 Lighthouse and beach goers South Africa1965 Boer monument in South Africa.1965 Australian tourist in South Africa.1965 Australian tourists Tropic of Capricorn in South Africa
Thanks to Elika Burgess for sharing her late husband’s vintage surf photos and Les Gillies for assisting with research.
WA surf pioneer Tony Burgess (age 80) of North Beach passed away 8 June 2021.
The late Tony Burgess formerly from Geraldton moved to the city in 1955 age 14. When he arrived, he could not swim but started surfing with his stepbrother Les Gillies on the reef at North Cottesloe, Cable Station, Dutch Inn & Vera View.
Tony surfed locally with his North Cottesloe SLSC mates Don Bancroft, Cliff Hills, Steve Mailey, Mark Paterson & Les Gillies. The boys used to paddle from North Cottesloe SLSC Club to surf breaks in the Cottesloe region.
Later Tony joined his North Cottesloe SLSC mates chasing waves Down South, before heading over East and then Overseas in the early 60s.
L-R Alan Hamer, Steve Mailey, Bob Keenan, Hotel proprietor, Tony Burgess & Les Gillies.
This blog focuses on Tony’s surf trip to South Africa 1964-65.
Les Gillies: “Tony left for South Africa in 1964 by ship. The ship to South Africa left Aust for South Africa four times a year (every 3 mths). Bob ‘Puppy Dog’ Paton left for South Africa from Sydney, the rest of us left from WA approx.18 months after Tony. Margaret River surf pioneers Mal Bromley & Warren McKinney were on the ship with us in 1965. Warren McKinney married a local girl and sailed a yacht to Barbados. His wife made women’s bathers”.
Thanks to Elika Burgess for sharing her late husband’s vintage surf photos and Les Gillies for assisting with research.
Related content.
The West is Great by Tony Burgess published 9 Jun 2021
Coming soon 1965 Mauritius surf trip images by the late Tony Burgess
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