Cable Station reef south of Cottesloe has been surfed since the late 1940s (post WW2). The surf break was named after the Cable Station building (now known as McCall Centre) on the rocky foreshore. The Cable Station relay station connected parts of the British Empire with submarine cables and was operational from 1901 until 3 July 1966.
Early postcard of The Cable Station Cottesloe Beach WA. Image courtesy ofThe Evolution of Cable & Wireless, Part 4 by Bill Glover.
The following photo of surfers at Cable Station reef was shot with a Brownie camera by young Cottesloe surfer Don Bancroft from his canvas covered stand up paddle board (in foreground).
1948 Surfers at Cable Station reef riding canvas covered stand up boards and a toothpick surfboard. Water photo by Don Bancroft.
In the 1950s Cottesloe Beach and the reefs south of Cottesloe (including Cable Station) with long rolling waves were popular surfing venues for metro surfers riding plywood toothpick surfboards.
WA Surf Industry legend Len Dibben recalls his early days surfing at Cable Station.
Len Dibben. “When I first started surfing in the late 50’s & through the 60’s even into the 80’s & 90’s Cable Station reef used to break really good, a great right hander. What stopped that break from working was the building of Cottesloe Groyne, Dutch Inn Groyne, Sand Tracks, the lengthening of the North Mole, City Beach groyne & Floreat groyne, just to name a few.
1957 Brian Cole (second from right) and his City Beach surfing mates heading to Cables Station reef for a surf. The Morris 10 sedan is loaded with plywood toothpick surfboards and a surf ski. Photo credit Brian Cole.
In 1975 WA Surf Rider Assoc (WASRA) started a ‘Build a Reef’ campaign for the WA coast. Surfers John Balgarnie and Geoff Berry was involved in the campaign.
1975 WASRA ‘Build a Reef’ campaign pamphlet. Image courtesy of Arthur Sherburn.
Perth’s first artificial surfing reef was constructed off the Cable Station in 1999. Cottesloe surfers John Balgarnie and Keith Campbell were prime movers behind the creation of the artificial reef at Cable Station.
The reef has received mixed reviews from surfers who appreciate the quality of the wave ‘when it breaks’ but cite lack of frequency as the biggest problem. According to at least one report, it only provides good waves a handful of times each month. However, other reports claim that there are rideable waves on the reef around 150 days per year.
Acknowledgement
Special thanks to WA surfing pioneer/jazz musician Don Bancroft for sharing his vintage photo and stories of Cable Station surf break. Don now age 84 started surfing Cottesloe circa 1948 and travelled down south surfing with mates from the mid-50s.
1958 Don Bancroft with homemade balsa Malibu board at Yallingup. Photo John Budge
Don shared his photo albums and stories at the Western Suburbs Surf History Exhibition held Grove Library Cottesloe in early March 2023.
2023 Bill Gibson (left) and Chris Fullston (centre) looking through Don’s photo albums at the Western Suburbs Surf History Exhibition. Photo Peter Dunn.2023 Don and his West Coast Board Club mates leaving Yallingup in his two door Holden station wagon circa 1960. Photo of Don’s photo album image by Peter Dunn.2023 Don (centre check shirt) speaking with Murray Smith and others at the Western Suburbs Surf History Exhibition. Photo Jim King
Cable Station reef south of Cottesloe has been surfed since the late 1940s (post WW2). The surf break was named after the Cable Station building (now known as McCall Centre) on the rocky foreshore. The Cable Station relay station connected parts of the British Empire with submarine cables and was operational from 1901 until 3 July 1966.
The following photo of surfers at Cable Station reef was shot with a Brownie camera by young Cottesloe surfer Don Bancroft from his canvas covered stand up paddle board (in foreground).
In the 1950s Cottesloe Beach and the reefs south of Cottesloe (including Cable Station) with long rolling waves were popular surfing venues for metro surfers riding plywood toothpick surfboards.
WA Surf Industry legend Len Dibben recalls his early days surfing at Cable Station.
Len Dibben. “When I first started surfing in the late 50’s & through the 60’s even into the 80’s & 90’s Cable Station reef used to break really good, a great right hander. What stopped that break from working was the building of Cottesloe Groyne, Dutch Inn Groyne, Sand Tracks, the lengthening of the North Mole, City Beach groyne & Floreat groyne, just to name a few.
In 1975 WA Surf Rider Assoc (WASRA) started a ‘Build a Reef’ campaign for the WA coast. Surfers John Balgarnie and Geoff Berry was involved in the campaign.
Perth’s first artificial surfing reef was constructed off the Cable Station in 1999. Cottesloe surfers John Balgarnie and Keith Campbell were prime movers behind the creation of the artificial reef at Cable Station.
The reef has received mixed reviews from surfers who appreciate the quality of the wave ‘when it breaks’ but cite lack of frequency as the biggest problem. According to at least one report, it only provides good waves a handful of times each month. However, other reports claim that there are rideable waves on the reef around 150 days per year.
Acknowledgement
Special thanks to WA surfing pioneer/jazz musician Don Bancroft for sharing his vintage photo and stories of Cable Station surf break. Don now age 84 started surfing Cottesloe circa 1948 and travelled down south surfing with mates from the mid-50s.
Don shared his photo albums and stories at the Western Suburbs Surf History Exhibition held Grove Library Cottesloe in early March 2023.
Related content
Surfing Cottesloe in the 1950s posted 11 March 2015
John Balgarnie’s surfing memoirs posted 19 Dec 2015
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