Trigg surfer Jacqui Brown represented WA in the girl’s division of the 1980 National Scholastic Surfing Titles held in southwest WA. These are Jacqui’s recollections of the event.
I remember the 1980 WA National Scholastics where surfers from all the other states came to the southwest in 1980.
It was quite exciting because we hadn’t competed nationally yet and all of the top Surfers from over East arrived in Perth in buses and congregated at Trigg Point car park, to have a little surfing expression session at the point. We were in awe of all these grommets arriving jumping out of the bus looking sun tanned and sun bleached and colourful in the ’80s fluoro clothes and wetsuits’.
The girls were very glamorous. I remember Michelle Ducat Qld looking amazing. She came looking all strong and the surfing level was high. Jenny Gill NSW was a huge standout.
Mark Occhilupo NSW was a small but a bedazzling surfer. Kong was there. And Nicki Wood came with his serious watchful father.
The south Oz guys were the coolest of all. But I think it was only some older guys. They were like the old school intriguing wise desert dwellers who kind of kept to themselves and watched on with some sort of knowledge we didn’t understand. Maybe the hard-core desert outback cactus experiences had moulded them wiser beyond their years. They were more grass roots and probably doing the hippy thing. They faded out of my memory until this moment.
The east coasters were so trendy and modern it was all so bedazzling. Some of the East Coast surfers were all up-and-coming emerging pro Surfers. So many famous names there. Like ‘Occy’ and Damien Hardman, they both went onto become World Surfing Champions.
Chris Lowe and I were the female representatives in the WA team. We caught buses and stayed in the dormitories at Four Squares Holiday Camp in Busselton with top WA junior surfers Damon Eastaugh, Mitch Thorson, Sean Murphy (later ABC journo) and all the other competitors from WA and the Eastern states.
We surfed at Lefthanders, Moses Rock, and Smiths Beach. We visited Pipelines leg rope factory for a promotional strength test, with teams pulling each end. And I don’t think the leg rope broke.
1980 Jacqui’s State Scholastic team board shorts sponsored by Pipe-Lines leg ropes. Image Mick Marlin.
Jacqui’s 1980s State Scholastic Surf Championships finalist t-shirt. Image courtesy of Jacqui.
1980 Jacqui free surfing Noisey’s near Gracetown. Photographer unknown.
Champion Albany surfer Jodie Cooper used to stay at my house when she came up to the city for surf contests.
1981 Jodie Cooper and Jacqui at Triggs. Media article.
I don’t remember the other female competitors down the line in the 80s. There weren’t too many girls surfing back then. Chris Lowe was the one I remember the most and we still remain friends. Girls from Mandurah came up to Trigg compete sometimes. Another bunch stuck in their group and didn’t compete but used to come to Triggs. I’d usually be the only girl surfing Triggs Point and the car park. Then came Sue Moran, Lynley Patching, and Judy Bailey who was my age from Waterman’s and ripped.
1985 WA surfing women article in Stirling Times. Glen Marwick pic.
L-R Linley Patching, Chris Stowe, Sue Moran, Maureen Farrell & Jacqui Brown.
Click on this link to view coverage of the 1980 National Scholastic event by contest official and sponsor Tom Blaxell and WASRA President Keith ‘Jock’ Campbell.
Trigg surfer Jacqui Brown represented WA in the girl’s division of the 1980 National Scholastic Surfing Titles held in southwest WA. These are Jacqui’s recollections of the event.
I remember the 1980 WA National Scholastics where surfers from all the other states came to the southwest in 1980.
It was quite exciting because we hadn’t competed nationally yet and all of the top Surfers from over East arrived in Perth in buses and congregated at Trigg Point car park, to have a little surfing expression session at the point. We were in awe of all these grommets arriving jumping out of the bus looking sun tanned and sun bleached and colourful in the ’80s fluoro clothes and wetsuits’.
The girls were very glamorous. I remember Michelle Ducat Qld looking amazing. She came looking all strong and the surfing level was high. Jenny Gill NSW was a huge standout.
Mark Occhilupo NSW was a small but a bedazzling surfer. Kong was there. And Nicki Wood came with his serious watchful father.
The south Oz guys were the coolest of all. But I think it was only some older guys. They were like the old school intriguing wise desert dwellers who kind of kept to themselves and watched on with some sort of knowledge we didn’t understand. Maybe the hard-core desert outback cactus experiences had moulded them wiser beyond their years. They were more grass roots and probably doing the hippy thing. They faded out of my memory until this moment.
The east coasters were so trendy and modern it was all so bedazzling. Some of the East Coast surfers were all up-and-coming emerging pro Surfers. So many famous names there. Like ‘Occy’ and Damien Hardman, they both went onto become World Surfing Champions.
Chris Lowe and I were the female representatives in the WA team. We caught buses and stayed in the dormitories at Four Squares Holiday Camp in Busselton with top WA junior surfers Damon Eastaugh, Mitch Thorson, Sean Murphy (later ABC journo) and all the other competitors from WA and the Eastern states.
We surfed at Lefthanders, Moses Rock, and Smiths Beach. We visited Pipelines leg rope factory for a promotional strength test, with teams pulling each end. And I don’t think the leg rope broke.
1980 Jacqui’s State Scholastic team board shorts sponsored by Pipe-Lines leg ropes. Image Mick Marlin.
Jacqui’s 1980s State Scholastic Surf Championships finalist t-shirt. Image courtesy of Jacqui.
1980 Jacqui free surfing Noisey’s near Gracetown. Photographer unknown.
Champion Albany surfer Jodie Cooper used to stay at my house when she came up to the city for surf contests.
1981 Jodie Cooper and Jacqui at Triggs. Media article.
I don’t remember the other female competitors down the line in the 80s. There weren’t too many girls surfing back then. Chris Lowe was the one I remember the most and we still remain friends. Girls from Mandurah came up to Trigg compete sometimes. Another bunch stuck in their group and didn’t compete but used to come to Triggs. I’d usually be the only girl surfing Triggs Point and the car park. Then came Sue Moran, Lynley Patching, and Judy Bailey who was my age from Waterman’s and ripped.
1985 WA surfing women article in Stirling Times. Glen Marwick pic.
L-R Linley Patching, Chris Stowe, Sue Moran, Maureen Farrell & Jacqui Brown.
Click on this link to view coverage of the 1980 National Scholastic event by contest official and sponsor Tom Blaxell and WASRA President Keith ‘Jock’ Campbell.
Jacqui lives and surfs in the southwest and is a respected artist in the region.
2025 SW artists Shelley McNab (Jamie’s cousin), Jacqui Brown & Jamie Roper at Surf Art Exhibition Margaret River.
Thanks for sharing your memories Jacqui.
—————————–
Share this:
Like this: