Cottesloe surfer Stephen Koehne did a stint working in the California USA surf industry in the late 80’s through to 2008.
Stephen. “First with Hobie Sports managing Hobie Alters original Dana Point Surf Shop that opened in the 50’s and then with Rip Curl USA for 16 years. Roles included retail manager, Southern California Sales Rep and then in-house as the Wetsuit Product Manager for 6 years. While still working as the sales rep, a last-minute request came through one day from Peter Johnson (RIP) at Rusty Surfboards to see if I could fill-in surfing in a Rip Curl wetsuit Santa-style complete with wig, hat, beard and glasses, at Swamis surf break for photographer Ben Siegfried. The swell was pumping this particular day and the line-up was packed with an exceptional number of wave-hungry surfers of all ages. But like a modern-day Moses, the crowds parted and big smiles started surfacing amongst the crankiest of old salts. Only 36 frames available in the 35mmm camera operated from a distance of about one kilometre. Good timing and a bit of good luck resulted in a few epic frames that were destined for the inside back-cover of SURFER magazine.
How the photo’s came to be …..SURFER Magazine 2000, Volume 41, Number 3. Steve Koehne is the rider on a perfect overhead Fall Day at Swamis. This was before the GoPro Heros were even an idea! Steve Ogles (Watershot Inc.) brainchild-camera-housing-wizard, Rusty Surfboard, George Gall (PlusOne Surfboards) artwork. Canon EOS 20mm f/5.6, Fujichrome 100. The camera housing is mounted off the nose, triggered by (Ben Siegfried) a remote transmitter camera housing unit from the water at Swamis Beach located in Encinitas, San Diego County, California.
Met a lot of cool people working there too. Befriended original surf industry guys like Dale Velzy, Donald Takayama, Henry Ford, Dick Metz, & Leroy Grannis among others. Sold wetsuits to Janet Jackson, surfed with Chris Issak and Jimmy Buffet, had lunch with George Lucas, met Ted Danson several times and saw live taping of his tv show of the time, BECKER. Still have the wetsuit too! Not sure how it would fit now.”😊
2000 Stephen Koehne featured back page of SURFER Magazine surfing Swamis in a Santa suit.Photo Ben Siegfried.2000 Surfing Santa Stephen at Swamis beach Calif. Photo Ben Siegfried.
Stephen. “In the following images, I am riding a Californian made longboard using a Midget Farrelly “Surfblanks Australia” surfboard blank shaped by a young CA shaper named Chris Lyons.”
1995 Stephen free surfing a longboard at Lower Trestles CA #1. Photo Tom Servais. 1995 Stephen free surfing a longboard at Lower Trestles CA #2. Photo Tom Servais.
Steve ‘Sheepdog’ Cockburn
In the 70s Steve ‘Sheepdog’ Cockburn was a member of the Sand-n-Sea Surf Riders Club and represented the state at seven Australian Surfing Titles as a board rider or judge.
Local freelance photographer Alf Sorbello came up with the idea of photographing Santa surfing at Scarborough Beach. He arranged a photo shoot with Sheepdog and provided the Santa costume and cotton wool beard.
Sheepdog. “On the day the surf was small and the cotton wool beard got a bit out of control, being full of water and drooping. Otherwise, it was an uneventful day. Alf took a few photos then headed back to work.”
The following image from the photo shoot appeared in the Sunday Times newspaper.
1977 Santa surfing Scarborough. Photo courtesy Alf Sorbelloand The Sunday Times.1977 Sheepdog surfing Scarborough in a Santa suit. Photo Alf Sorbello.
Mick Marlin
Yallingup Longboard legend Mick Marlin is no slouch in an aquatic Santa suit.
On Xmas Day 2014 the late Loz Smith snapped these shots of Santa (aka Mick Marlin) surfing Yallingup on his blue reindeer.
2014 Santa waiting in the line-up for a festive set wave at Yallingup. Photos Loz Smith RIP.2014 Santa ripping a long left at Yallingup. Photos Loz Smith RIP.
Surf Pioneer statue Yallingup
2022 Xmas Santa checking the line-up. Photo Mick Marlin
Santa Yallingup hill
From 1982-83 until his passing in June 2015, Yallingup pioneer Garth Hammond would do up the Ute, dress in a Father Christmas outfit along with for some years his brother Jack Hammond or Mick Mickle and ring the Helena bell to signify Santa was coming. His surfing sons Dene & Evan RIP and any other festive local ready to give a hand would throw out wrapped toffees to celebrate Xmas with the Yallingup Hill community. Very kindly these would be provided by Allens Sweets and organised by Peter Dyson RIP as a gift to his Yallingup hill family.
Sadly Garth & Evan Hammond and Peter Dyson have since passed away and the tradition has been discontinued.
1988 Santa’s Ute visiting Yallingup hill community. Felton family pic1988 Santa tossing sweets to the Felton family on Yallingup hill. Felton family pic.
Many thanks Santa for sharing these Xmas surfing pics.
Have a great Christmas and best wishes for a Happy Healthy New year.
Stephen Koehne
Cottesloe surfer Stephen Koehne did a stint working in the California USA surf industry in the late 80’s through to 2008.
Stephen. “First with Hobie Sports managing Hobie Alters original Dana Point Surf Shop that opened in the 50’s and then with Rip Curl USA for 16 years. Roles included retail manager, Southern California Sales Rep and then in-house as the Wetsuit Product Manager for 6 years. While still working as the sales rep, a last-minute request came through one day from Peter Johnson (RIP) at Rusty Surfboards to see if I could fill-in surfing in a Rip Curl wetsuit Santa-style complete with wig, hat, beard and glasses, at Swamis surf break for photographer Ben Siegfried. The swell was pumping this particular day and the line-up was packed with an exceptional number of wave-hungry surfers of all ages. But like a modern-day Moses, the crowds parted and big smiles started surfacing amongst the crankiest of old salts. Only 36 frames available in the 35mmm camera operated from a distance of about one kilometre. Good timing and a bit of good luck resulted in a few epic frames that were destined for the inside back-cover of SURFER magazine.
How the photo’s came to be …..SURFER Magazine 2000, Volume 41, Number 3. Steve Koehne is the rider on a perfect overhead Fall Day at Swamis. This was before the GoPro Heros were even an idea! Steve Ogles (Watershot Inc.) brainchild-camera-housing-wizard, Rusty Surfboard, George Gall (PlusOne Surfboards) artwork. Canon EOS 20mm f/5.6, Fujichrome 100. The camera housing is mounted off the nose, triggered by (Ben Siegfried) a remote transmitter camera housing unit from the water at Swamis Beach located in Encinitas, San Diego County, California.
Met a lot of cool people working there too. Befriended original surf industry guys like Dale Velzy, Donald Takayama, Henry Ford, Dick Metz, & Leroy Grannis among others. Sold wetsuits to Janet Jackson, surfed with Chris Issak and Jimmy Buffet, had lunch with George Lucas, met Ted Danson several times and saw live taping of his tv show of the time, BECKER. Still have the wetsuit too! Not sure how it would fit now.”😊
Stephen. “In the following images, I am riding a Californian made longboard using a Midget Farrelly “Surfblanks Australia” surfboard blank shaped by a young CA shaper named Chris Lyons.”
Steve ‘Sheepdog’ Cockburn
In the 70s Steve ‘Sheepdog’ Cockburn was a member of the Sand-n-Sea Surf Riders Club and represented the state at seven Australian Surfing Titles as a board rider or judge.
Local freelance photographer Alf Sorbello came up with the idea of photographing Santa surfing at Scarborough Beach. He arranged a photo shoot with Sheepdog and provided the Santa costume and cotton wool beard.
Sheepdog. “On the day the surf was small and the cotton wool beard got a bit out of control, being full of water and drooping. Otherwise, it was an uneventful day. Alf took a few photos then headed back to work.”
The following image from the photo shoot appeared in the Sunday Times newspaper.
Mick Marlin
Yallingup Longboard legend Mick Marlin is no slouch in an aquatic Santa suit.
On Xmas Day 2014 the late Loz Smith snapped these shots of Santa (aka Mick Marlin) surfing Yallingup on his blue reindeer.
Surf Pioneer statue Yallingup
Santa Yallingup hill
From 1982-83 until his passing in June 2015, Yallingup pioneer Garth Hammond would do up the Ute, dress in a Father Christmas outfit along with for some years his brother Jack Hammond or Mick Mickle and ring the Helena bell to signify Santa was coming. His surfing sons Dene & Evan RIP and any other festive local ready to give a hand would throw out wrapped toffees to celebrate Xmas with the Yallingup Hill community. Very kindly these would be provided by Allens Sweets and organised by Peter Dyson RIP as a gift to his Yallingup hill family.
Sadly Garth & Evan Hammond and Peter Dyson have since passed away and the tradition has been discontinued.
Many thanks Santa for sharing these Xmas surfing pics.
Have a great Christmas and best wishes for a Happy Healthy New year.
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