1980 Big Day at Yallingup images by Dave Sheen

Update 28 Nov 2022. The year was changed from 1978 to 1980 after I received confirmation from Gary Gibbon.

Update 29 Nov 2022. Added Steve Williams profile by Keith Halnan.

Yallingup surfer / WA wind surfing legend Dave Sheen snapped these images of Steve Williams on a big day at Yallingup in 1980.

Andrew Jones. “I was out that day with Gary Gibbon, Ray Knott, Sheeny and his mates. It was 15ft in the morning, we all waited for it to settle down and drop a bit, there were two peaks from the north and west. That day with Sheeny was one of best days ever, swell was WNW, no closeouts and 12ft off north peak. Steve’s wave was on 2nd peak.”

Gary Gibbon. “Hi Jim, Andy’s recollections of that Steve Williams session is true, except the session went down in July 1980, not 1978. I was living in North Queensland in 1978. I took some shots later in the day in between surfing sessions, some of which I’ve already sent you previously (see bonus pic below).

BTW, I think those photos of Steve ‘Willy’ Williams or some very similar ones, made it into a Tracks surf magazine article.

For me, it is still probably the biggest, cleanest Yallingup I ever surfed. It was in early July of 1980. It was slightly bigger and windier in the morning when Steve Willy went out (and I had to go and do the Sunday morning session at Caves House). But in the afternoon, it just became immaculate. Light offshore, sunny conditions and perfect, big, consistent, Yallingup right-handers. And Andy was right. It was just basically a handful of local guys out: Ray Nott, Andy, Me, Chris Green, Dave Seward came out for a bit, so did Mark Favell. But it was a pretty decent size and you had to want it. Plenty of crew stayed on the beach that day. The next day was still really good. Solid size, though a bit smaller and stayed offshore again pretty much all day.“

Keith Halnan. “Steve ‘Willie’ Williams was from Scarborough & lived just off Elliot Rd for years. State team rider & surf industry representative for a few products. Lived off Metricup Road for many years in the mid 70’s. Always with a big grin & ripped.”