Cottesloe surfer Max Hickson was a talented surfer and made a name for himself surfing Margaret River in the late 1960s and early 70s before heading to England to live.
In March 1970, Max placed second to Ian Cairns in the Junior Division of the State Surfing Titles held at Margaret River.
In January 1970, Max competed in the South West’s first professional surfing contest held at Yallingup Main Break. Tony Hardy won the event and $250 prize money from WA’s top juniors Ian Cairns (second), Max Hickson (third) and Cottesloe’s Ian ‘Mitch’ Mitchell (fourth). (Finalists shared $250 prize money)
In 1979 Max was flown back to Australia from England to appear as a special guest on Ian ‘Kanga’ Cairns ‘This is Your Life‘ TV show. WA surfers Arty Sherburn, Barry Day and Charles Morton-Stewart were also Kanga’s guests on the top rating TV program presented by Roger Climpson.
1979 This is Your Life TV show NSW featuring Ian ‘Kanga’ Cairns with guest Arty Sherburn and host Roger Climpson from Channel7. Photo courtesy the late Arty Sherburn. Note: SDS does not have a publicity photo of Max Hickson at the event.
Thanks for the Max photos Gavin & Ric.
Foot Note:
Peter ‘Rinso’ Wise. “Max actually passed away a few years ago, unfortunately. I visited him in England years ago to find he had changed quite a bit. He had grown his hair and was smoking! He didn’t smoke in Australia before! I have since talked to one of his co-workers, an Aussie guy (a surfer who spent time in Cocos Islands, like myself), I can’t remember his name, but when he was working and surfing in England, he worked and hung out with Max. He told me Max not once talked about his surfing or contest results in WA.“
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