“WA’s women board riders needed courage as well as ability and strength to become good riders.”– Teena Christon (age 17) 1967.
Teena Christon from Miami (now named Falcon) near Mandurah took up surfing at age 12. In 1964 she competed in WA’s first State Women’s Surfboard Championships held in the South West at age 14 and came third. She went on to win the next three State Women’s Surfboard Titles and represented WA at three National Surfboard Championships (1965-67).
Teena (age 15) from Miami Surfinks Board Club surfing to victory in 1965 State Surfboard Championships. Media imageTeena wins 1965 State Women’s surfing Title at Yallingup. Media article.Teena and her mother return from the 1965 Australian Surfboard Championships held in NSW. Teena finished fifth in front of a crowd of 20,000 at Manly NSW. Media article.
The fourth State Surf Riding Championships were scheduled to be held at Yallingup in March 1967. The contest started in inconsistent onshore waves on Saturday afternoon at Yallingup before being moved to Huzzawouie at Gracetown on Sunday. The remaining heats and finals were contested on a rising swell at Huzza’s. Teena (age 17) from the Boomerang Club at Scarborough won the Women’s division of the 1967 Championships. It was her third consecutive title win in her division (1965-67).
Due to a lack of confidence in big waves, low numbers of female contestants entered early SW surfboard contests. Teena identified that courage as well as ability and strength was required for surfers to be successful. Her successor Maureen Farrell met these criteria and won three consecutive Women’s Titles 1968-70.
1967 Teena Christon (age 17) WA Women’s Champion. Daily News sport article by Merome Darlington.
Teena gave up competitive surfing at age 17, soon after winning her third State Women’s Surfboard Title in 1967. She moved to Exmouth and worked as a civilian on the US Navy base. She joined her father George who worked for Kailis Fisheries in Exmouth at the time.
2004 West Aust Surf Riding Assoc (WASRA) 40 Year Anniversary photo shoot at Trigg. West Australian Magazine image. L-R Murray Smith, Teena, Mick Marlin, Gary Vaughan & Len Dibben2019 Patsy-Anne Wootton (author & adventurer) with Teena at the launch of Women in Surfing Exhibition at WA Surf Gallery Aravina Estate Yallingup.Bruce King pic.2021 Teena’s WA Women’s Surfboard Championship 1960s perpetual trophy (sponsored by Ampol) on display at WA Surf Gallery Aravina Estate Yallingup. Jim King pic.
Teena is now retired and looking after her elderly mum in the Mandurah region.
“WA’s women board riders needed courage as well as ability and strength to become good riders.”– Teena Christon (age 17) 1967.
Teena Christon from Miami (now named Falcon) near Mandurah took up surfing at age 12. In 1964 she competed in WA’s first State Women’s Surfboard Championships held in the South West at age 14 and came third. She went on to win the next three State Women’s Surfboard Titles and represented WA at three National Surfboard Championships (1965-67).
The fourth State Surf Riding Championships were scheduled to be held at Yallingup in March 1967. The contest started in inconsistent onshore waves on Saturday afternoon at Yallingup before being moved to Huzzawouie at Gracetown on Sunday. The remaining heats and finals were contested on a rising swell at Huzza’s. Teena (age 17) from the Boomerang Club at Scarborough won the Women’s division of the 1967 Championships. It was her third consecutive title win in her division (1965-67).
Due to a lack of confidence in big waves, low numbers of female contestants entered early SW surfboard contests. Teena identified that courage as well as ability and strength was required for surfers to be successful. Her successor Maureen Farrell met these criteria and won three consecutive Women’s Titles 1968-70.
Teena gave up competitive surfing at age 17, soon after winning her third State Women’s Surfboard Title in 1967. She moved to Exmouth and worked as a civilian on the US Navy base. She joined her father George who worked for Kailis Fisheries in Exmouth at the time.
L-R Murray Smith, Teena, Mick Marlin, Gary Vaughan & Len Dibben
Teena is now retired and looking after her elderly mum in the Mandurah region.
Thanks Teena, for sharing your surfing memories.
Related Content.
1960s Teena Christon Triple State Women’s Surfing Champion published 22 July 2015
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