The original version of this blog was posted 27 April 2016. This version has been re-formatted video footage of the event.
In 1964 Bernard ‘Midget’ Farrelly (NSW) won the World Mens Title at the first World Surfing Championships held at Manly Beach NSW. Midget won from Californians Mike Doyle & Joey Cabell.
1964 Midget surfing Manly NSW on his way to winning World Mens Surfing Title. Photo courtesy of Keith Campbell (former WASRA President).1964 World and Australian Surfboard Titles to Farrelly NSW. Image courtesy The West Australian
Former World Surfing Champion ‘Midget’ Farrelly was invited to WA to compete in a special Invitational Event held in conjunction with the State Championships at Yallingup on the LWE in March 1968.
The field for WA’s Invitational event included Midget, WA free surfer Terry Jacks, Barry Young (South Aust), Alex Chobinoff (NSW) and other state representatives.
1968 Midget arriving at Perth Airport for the Invitational surfing event at Yalls. West Australian Newspaper image courtesy of Loz Smith (RIP).
There was a large, long weekend holiday crowd in attendance to watch Midget surf at Yallingup. He bought rounded pintail surfboards to the event and WA surfers saw the latest surfboard design from the East Coast for the first time. It introduced another advance in WA surfboard design.
Peter ‘Spook’ Bothwell. “Midget had just got back from Hawaii and was full of stories about Joey Cabell and his pintails.“
Barry ‘Baz’ Young. “When Midget arrived for the contest and pulled four Pintails out of his car, we were all flabbergasted. The media on what was happening design wise over East was very limited and I’m pretty sure no one had heard about boards that had pointed tails. It seemed weird to have a tail shape that looked the same as the nose! There was a lot of disbelief and almost jeering as he walked past the big crowds lining the steps and beach with one of these strange designs under his arm on the way to the water. I think he thought about not staying for the Invitational, but the WASRA contest directors talked him around and tuned a few crew to keep their opinions to themselves for the rest of the weekend.“
1968 Midget with WASRA President Ron ‘Doc’ Naylor at Yalls. Judges stand on the left. Photo Sally Jones (nee Gunter).1968 Midget descending steps to the beach at Yalls. Photo Sally Jones (nee Gunter).1968 Midget heading out to surf in Invitational event. Photo Sally Jones (nee Gunter).1968 Midget leaving the surf with his rounded pintail surfboard. Photo Sally Jones (nee Gunter).
The invitational event was held in sunny offshore conditions at Yallingup. Midge rode the lefts in his smooth controlled style.
WA’s Terry Jacks was frothing and went for it. At the conclusion of the event many spectators thought Terry had won, but Midget’s name was already engraved on the trophy and that was that!
Some of Terry’s supporters kicked up a bit of dust, but it was in vain!
1968 Terry Jacks surfing in the Invitational event. Newspaper image courtesy of the Daily News.
Barry ‘Baz’ Young. “Besides me, for the Invitational, another surfer from interstate was Alex Chobinoff (NSW) who had been here for 6 months roughly like myself. I placed third in the Invitational as well as coming second to Spook in the State Titles. It was pretty small that day and I gambled and surfed the ‘Bunbury Break,’ which was named because of the crew of Bunbury surfers who surfed it more than most. It’s now known as “The Cove.” Whilst Midget and the other four competitors hassled each other at Main Break I got a little lucky where I was.
I met Midget and his wife twice in the Maldives and he was still surfing good at age 71.”
1968 WASRA State Titles programme signed by Midget Farrelly. Image courtesy John Cuperus
In 2001 Surfing WA made a presentation to Midget Farrelly at Yallingup Beach.
Midget Farrelly in WA. Photos by the late Loz Smith of Quindalup Left. 2001 montage presentation to Midget at Yalls designed by Loz Smith. Right. 2006 Midget & Loz Smith at Jack Egan photo exhibition held at Vasse Felix Winery.2015 Former WA Surfboard Manufacturer Tom Blaxell with 1964 World Surfing Champ Midget Farrelly in the Maldives. Photo courtesy of Tom Blaxell.
Editor’s note. Bernard ‘Midget’ Farrelly NSW passed away6 August 2016 age 71.
Video link
1968 Invitational event video footage sourced from City Beach Surfriders Club Super 8 film. Music by Yallingup musician Vance Burrow. Run time 1.04min
The original version of this blog was posted 27 April 2016. This version has been re-formatted video footage of the event.
In 1964 Bernard ‘Midget’ Farrelly (NSW) won the World Mens Title at the first World Surfing Championships held at Manly Beach NSW. Midget won from Californians Mike Doyle & Joey Cabell.
Former World Surfing Champion ‘Midget’ Farrelly was invited to WA to compete in a special Invitational Event held in conjunction with the State Championships at Yallingup on the LWE in March 1968.
The field for WA’s Invitational event included Midget, WA free surfer Terry Jacks, Barry Young (South Aust), Alex Chobinoff (NSW) and other state representatives.
There was a large, long weekend holiday crowd in attendance to watch Midget surf at Yallingup. He bought rounded pintail surfboards to the event and WA surfers saw the latest surfboard design from the East Coast for the first time. It introduced another advance in WA surfboard design.
Peter ‘Spook’ Bothwell. “Midget had just got back from Hawaii and was full of stories about Joey Cabell and his pintails.“
Barry ‘Baz’ Young. “When Midget arrived for the contest and pulled four Pintails out of his car, we were all flabbergasted. The media on what was happening design wise over East was very limited and I’m pretty sure no one had heard about boards that had pointed tails. It seemed weird to have a tail shape that looked the same as the nose! There was a lot of disbelief and almost jeering as he walked past the big crowds lining the steps and beach with one of these strange designs under his arm on the way to the water. I think he thought about not staying for the Invitational, but the WASRA contest directors talked him around and tuned a few crew to keep their opinions to themselves for the rest of the weekend.“
The invitational event was held in sunny offshore conditions at Yallingup. Midge rode the lefts in his smooth controlled style.
WA’s Terry Jacks was frothing and went for it. At the conclusion of the event many spectators thought Terry had won, but Midget’s name was already engraved on the trophy and that was that!
Some of Terry’s supporters kicked up a bit of dust, but it was in vain!
Barry ‘Baz’ Young. “Besides me, for the Invitational, another surfer from interstate was Alex Chobinoff (NSW) who had been here for 6 months roughly like myself. I placed third in the Invitational as well as coming second to Spook in the State Titles. It was pretty small that day and I gambled and surfed the ‘Bunbury Break,’ which was named because of the crew of Bunbury surfers who surfed it more than most. It’s now known as “The Cove.” Whilst Midget and the other four competitors hassled each other at Main Break I got a little lucky where I was.
I met Midget and his wife twice in the Maldives and he was still surfing good at age 71.”
In 2001 Surfing WA made a presentation to Midget Farrelly at Yallingup Beach.
Left. 2001 montage presentation to Midget at Yalls designed by Loz Smith.
Right. 2006 Midget & Loz Smith at Jack Egan photo exhibition held at Vasse Felix Winery.
Editor’s note. Bernard ‘Midget’ Farrelly NSW passed away 6 August 2016 age 71.
Video link
1968 Invitational event video footage sourced from City Beach Surfriders Club Super 8 film. Music by Yallingup musician Vance Burrow. Run time 1.04min
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