Greg Woodward was a WA surf photographer and surf media writer from 1966 to 1974. He photographed surfers and beaches in Perth, Mandurah & Cape Naturaliste regions and in the Eastern States during this period. Greg contributed photos and stories to OZ surf magazine Surf International in the late 60s and displayed surfing and beach photos at ‘The Dazzling Young Riders exhibition held at Nyisztor Studio in Palmyra in May 2017.
2017 Greg with Cottesloe beach images at The Dazzling Young Riders exhibition. Image courtesy Greg Woodward.
Greg is still a keen photographer and has kindly shared his recollections and recent photos of Cottesloe Beach Days.
Cottesloe Beach Days
Cottesloe beach with its pylon, ancient pine trees, basalt rocky groyne, grassy hill and abundant clean sea water must come close to being the most iconic beach precinct in Perth. A beach for all seasons – from the moody cold winters to the sparkling blue water days of summer with the offshore easterly wind, dry and hot giving way at last to the cooling balm of the “Fremantle Doctor’’. The hilly, grassed Cottesloe shoreline affords lovely views up and down the coast. Northwards looking to Swanbourne and to the south is Leighton and the Port of Fremantle and gazing out to sea a vast space of sea and sky to lose the soul.
Cottesloe beach has been around a long time and the mysterious pylon in the bay attests to its history. This pylon now painted anew is a local landmark giving a sense of scale to the ocean and pulling the seascape together like a maypole. For all its beauty, alas Cottesloe beach was never a great surf spot. Rottnest island making sure of that by blocking out the oceanic swells. Nevertheless, many a kid learnt to surf on its meagre supply of waves and skipped school when the miracle happened. Sometimes though in winter on a big swell King Neptune could push tall waves through past Garden Island and wrapping them around the rocky groyne to give a fair imitation of a ride able point break.
In these days of global tourism, over tourism and Bali belly, Cottesloe Beach is home sweet home. Pure and simple. Elemental.
Greg Woodward 2024
Photo Gallery (Click on thumbnail to view normal size image)
Thanks Greg, for sharing your Cottesloe Beach Days recollections & photos.
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