Murray Smith and his North End Board Club mates were instrumental in discovering and surfing Cowaramup Bay’s classic point breaks in the early sixties.
Tony Harbinson (WA surfing Pioneer). “Some of the regular Margaret River surfers were from the North End Board Club and they used to disappear to another surf spot every time the sea breeze came in. They kept this new spot a secret for approximately twelve months until one day Kev Merifield and I followed them from a distance. They had been surfing South Point!
You should have seen the surprise on their faces when Kev and I paddled out.😊
This then led to surfing North Point. We were watching North Point going off, but it was onshore. Then the wind changed back offshore, Murray Smith, Geoff Culmsee and I then paddled across the bay and started to surf North Point, the start of another new spot.”
Kevin Merifield (WA surfing pioneer). “After Yallingup, Injidup Bay & Margarets, the next couple of surf spots found were Gallows and South Point. With South Point, ironically enough we surfed there for a couple of years before someone said, “well what about that wave over there?” indicating North Point. Which is bloody crazy to think of now, it is such a good wave.”
Tony & Kev’s memories sourced from Surfing Down South Book published 2014.
2012 Tony Harbison & Kevin Merifield at Small Fries Contest Yallingup. Photo by the late Loz Smith.
Photo Gallery
1961 North End Board Club at Scarborough. Murray Smith pic. L-R. P Longley, Jim McKenzie, Jim Breadsell, W Smith, Geoff Culmsee, B Sales & B Hunt.1960-61 South Point WA surfer unknown. Steve Mailey pic.1960-61 South Point WA. Barry Brakewell & Steve Mailey. Steve Mailey pic.1960-61 South Point WA surfer unknown. Steve Mailey pic.1960-61 South Point WA surfer unknown. Steve Mailey pic.1963 South Point WA surfer unknown. Tom Collins pic.1963 North Point WA surfers unknown. Tom Collins pic.1964 Cowaramup Bay camp site. Arty Sherburn & Warren Barrett. Arty Sherburn pic.1964 Cowaramup Bay campsite. Arty Sherburn pic. Arthur Sherburn & Warren Barrett in ‘home away from home’1964 Cowaramup Bay camp site. Arty Sherburn pic. L-R. John Murphy, unknown, Joe Wilson, (standing), Bruce Brown, unknown, Peter Backhouse (hammock).1964 Cowaramup Bay camp site. Arty Sherburn pic L-R Bruce Brown, unknown, Ian Barsden, unknown, Arty Sherburn.1964 Storm damage on road to Cowaramup Bay. Arty Sherburn pic L-R Michael Murphy, Peter Backhouse, Bruce Brown & John Murphy.1965 South Point WA. Murray Smith collecting Zac’s board. Jim Breadsell pic.
Thanks Harbo, Kevinandphotographers for sharing your memories.
Related Video
1966 Surfing Cowarmup Bay South Point & Huzza. Run time 1.52min Music by Yallingup musician Vance Burrow.
Murray Smith and his North End Board Club mates were instrumental in discovering and surfing Cowaramup Bay’s classic point breaks in the early sixties.
Tony Harbinson (WA surfing Pioneer). “Some of the regular Margaret River surfers were from the North End Board Club and they used to disappear to another surf spot every time the sea breeze came in. They kept this new spot a secret for approximately twelve months until one day Kev Merifield and I followed them from a distance. They had been surfing South Point!
You should have seen the surprise on their faces when Kev and I paddled out.😊
This then led to surfing North Point. We were watching North Point going off, but it was onshore. Then the wind changed back offshore, Murray Smith, Geoff Culmsee and I then paddled across the bay and started to surf North Point, the start of another new spot.”
Kevin Merifield (WA surfing pioneer). “After Yallingup, Injidup Bay & Margarets, the next couple of surf spots found were Gallows and South Point. With South Point, ironically enough we surfed there for a couple of years before someone said, “well what about that wave over there?” indicating North Point. Which is bloody crazy to think of now, it is such a good wave.”
Tony & Kev’s memories sourced from Surfing Down South Book published 2014.
Photo Gallery
L-R. P Longley, Jim McKenzie, Jim Breadsell, W Smith, Geoff Culmsee, B Sales & B Hunt.
Arthur Sherburn & Warren Barrett in ‘home away from home’
L-R. John Murphy, unknown, Joe Wilson, (standing), Bruce Brown, unknown, Peter Backhouse (hammock).
L-R Bruce Brown, unknown, Ian Barsden, unknown, Arty Sherburn.
L-R Michael Murphy, Peter Backhouse, Bruce Brown & John Murphy.
Thanks Harbo, Kevin and photographers for sharing your memories.
Related Video
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