Overcrowding raised its ugly head at Trigg Point (TP) in the early 1970s. As Perth’s primary surf break in summer, TP gets really busy when swell, wind, tide & sand bank conditions align. All types of surf craft and surf contests have shared the waves over the years.
Scarborough surfer Gavin McCaughey was a member of the Scarborough Board Club in the late 60s and a founding editor of WA’s first surf magazine Country Surf / West Country Surf in 1970/71 alongside Tom Collins. In the 80s, Gavin earned the nickname ‘the singing policeman’ as an acoustic guitar-playing police officer in Perth band The Real McCoy.
In 1971, Gavin addressed the summer crowd issues at Trigg Point in his article, “A Saga of Old Triggs Point,” published in West Country Surf magazine.
Gavin. “Most everyone will tell you that surfing at the “Point” is just not worth the hassle, without a doubt, Trigg’s Point must have more surfers per square foot than other locations in WA”.
1971 Surf journo/ reporter Gavin McCaughey modelling wetsuits for Linnetts Sports Depot Perth City. Image West Country Surf magazine.Photo Ric Chan.
From ‘A saga of Old Trigg Point,’ West Country Surf magazine, 1971.
A Saga of Old Trigg’s Point page14.
Errol Considine. “The Trigg crowds cartoon strip by artist Ron Chandler shows the artistic influence back then of Captain Goodvibes in ‘Tracks’ and ‘MAD Magazine’ …plus the pressing need to generate other graphic content to cover a shortage of suitable photos in filling the pages.”
A Saga of Old Trigg’s Point page 15.Photo Paul Hardie.
Errol Considine. “Trigg’s Point with locals such as Ron Marchant and Hank Scheffenmaker, plus Cottesloe hottie Max Hickson, chopping into some right peelers, featured over page with the same article.” see below.
A Saga of Old Trigg’s Point page 15.Photos Rob Farris & Steve Bevis.
Fast forward to 2026 and the crowds back then now seem pretty tame. And Gavin did also admit in this piece that weekdays at Trigg’s, in the early ‘70s, still provided relatively uncrowded sessions with mostly only your mates in the line-up.
Thanks Gav & Errol for sharing your surf memorabilia.
Coming event
Perth’s premiere surf tournament is set to return to Trigg Point, the Corsaire Aviation King of the Point presented by the City of Stirling. The fun event runs for three days from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026.
Note: This weekend’s event postponed due to cyclone Narelle impacting the WA Coast and a sub-optimal surf forecast.
Overcrowding raised its ugly head at Trigg Point (TP) in the early 1970s. As Perth’s primary surf break in summer, TP gets really busy when swell, wind, tide & sand bank conditions align. All types of surf craft and surf contests have shared the waves over the years.
Scarborough surfer Gavin McCaughey was a member of the Scarborough Board Club in the late 60s and a founding editor of WA’s first surf magazine Country Surf / West Country Surf in 1970/71 alongside Tom Collins. In the 80s, Gavin earned the nickname ‘the singing policeman’ as an acoustic guitar-playing police officer in Perth band The Real McCoy.
In 1971, Gavin addressed the summer crowd issues at Trigg Point in his article, “A Saga of Old Triggs Point,” published in West Country Surf magazine.
Gavin. “Most everyone will tell you that surfing at the “Point” is just not worth the hassle, without a doubt, Trigg’s Point must have more surfers per square foot than other locations in WA”.
1971 Surf journo/ reporter Gavin McCaughey modelling wetsuits for Linnetts Sports Depot Perth City. Image West Country Surf magazine. Photo Ric Chan.
From ‘A saga of Old Trigg Point,’ West Country Surf magazine, 1971.
A Saga of Old Trigg’s Point page14.
Errol Considine. “The Trigg crowds cartoon strip by artist Ron Chandler shows the artistic influence back then of Captain Goodvibes in ‘Tracks’ and ‘MAD Magazine’ …plus the pressing need to generate other graphic content to cover a shortage of suitable photos in filling the pages.”
A Saga of Old Trigg’s Point page 15. Photo Paul Hardie.
Errol Considine. “Trigg’s Point with locals such as Ron Marchant and Hank Scheffenmaker, plus Cottesloe hottie Max Hickson, chopping into some right peelers, featured over page with the same article.” see below.
A Saga of Old Trigg’s Point page 15. Photos Rob Farris & Steve Bevis.
Fast forward to 2026 and the crowds back then now seem pretty tame. And Gavin did also admit in this piece that weekdays at Trigg’s, in the early ‘70s, still provided relatively uncrowded sessions with mostly only your mates in the line-up.
Thanks Gav & Errol for sharing your surf memorabilia.
Coming event
Perth’s premiere surf tournament is set to return to Trigg Point, the Corsaire Aviation King of the Point presented by the City of Stirling. The fun event runs for three days from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026.
Note: This weekend’s event postponed due to cyclone Narelle impacting the WA Coast and a sub-optimal surf forecast.
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