By James Keenan
WA Surf Pioneer Kames ‘Jim’ Keenan surfed WA (metro & SW) and East Coast beaches in the 50s & early 60s. Before heading to the Pacific Island of Guam in 1966 to work and surf with a group of Californians. He returned to Perth in 1970 and enjoyed another spell Down South before heading East again. Then in the mid-70s he headed to Carnarvon in the NW and surfed Red Bluff which was devoid of surfers.
Jim Keenan. “Carnarvon was not on the surfing map until about mid 70’s. My first visit to Red Bluff revealed a break devoid of surfers. The next image was taken early in 70’s when I was on a safari. The reason I went there is because Ralph McNab whom in his early days was a shearer/wool classer, used to speak of the big swells that hit the Gascoyne coast in winter. Ralph used to do contract work on the coastal stations. Of course, no one believed him and that included myself until visiting the area on the safari. Many breaks are now surfed along the Gascoyne Coast north of Carnarvon, especially during the winter months.”
Early 1970s Red Bluff near Carnarvon. Photo courtesy Jim Keenan.
Jim’s RED BLUFF story
A famous surfing mecca approximately 80 miles north of Carnarvon. Surfers from all over Australia migrate in the winter months to challenge the swells from the south.
Retreat to the year 1941 and Australia is at war with Germany and coastal shipping is under a constant threat from German Raiders well-armed war ships disguised as Merchant Vessels.
Two ships one a Light Cruiser HMAS Sydney the other a German Raider Kormoran engage in a Naval battle west of Shark Bay. The Sydney through some errors of judgement is lost along with 645 crew members. The Kormoran is also disabled and is scuttled by the captain. Many lives are lost but the survivors take to the steel lifeboats. Three of the lifeboats drift north with the strong southerlies.
Forward to a date now lost but approximately 1980 and Jim Keenan is reading in the kitchen at his Carnarvon home kitchen the public notice section of the local paper. The notice requests anyone with a knowledge of Red Bluff contact a Barbara Poniewieski located in Queensland.
As a frequent visitor to Red Bluff area, I rang the number listed in the notice. Barbara was a researcher and was keen to assist a survivor from the Koroman re trace his movements at Red Bluff. His name was Heinfried Ahl and he was the flying officer. His role was to seek out merchant ships with a seaplane launched by catapult.
Hienfried Ahl Flying officer (Seaplane) German Raider Kormoran alongside a memorial to HMAS Sydney in Melbourne Victoria with date of Naval battle 19 Nov.1941.Photo courtesy Jim Keenan.
Arrangements were made to assist and Heinfried along with his wife headed to Carnarvon.
Upon arrival, it was decided to visit Red Bluff along with a few other interested folks from the Gascoyne Region. Heinfreid was left alone to recollect and shed a few tears at Red Bluff while I went diving to grab a few crays for later consumption.
It must have been an ordeal to undergo a naval battle and then drift for days in the lifeboats to finally make shore at Red Bluff which is now a venue of joy for surfers and visitors.
Upon return to Carnarvon the crays were consumed along with many beers. A Call to some of my ex naval friends resulted in an invite to a barbecue which was by good fortune being held by the Naval Association. Heinfried was overwhelmed as were the ex-Australian sailors.
It was a real pleasure to view the friendship of previously enemies. Heinfried upon arrest spent the rest of the war time on a prison farm in the eastern states. He loved Aussies and Australia and at the conclusion of war 1945 he applied to remain. It was denied and in 1947 sent back to Germany.
My friendship with Heinfried was such that we remained in contact until his passing years later. His civilian life was a lecturer at the Frankfurt University.
WAR HAS NO MEANING AND THE ONLY WAR I HAVE ENDURED IS WITH THE SWELLS OF THE OCEAN. HOW LUCKY WAS I AND MY SURFING MATES.
At 89, Jim is a well-travelled surfer and colourful character who lives in Marmion, WA.
Photo Gallery
2008 The boys at Kevin Merifield’s 70th birthday party held at Kevin’s Millbrook property Yallingup. Photo courtesy Kevin Merifield.
L-R. Laurie Burke, Bill Pratley, Jim Keenan, Dave Maxwell, Dave Williams, Les Gillies, Tony Harbison, Brian Cole, Kevin Merifield, Graeme Killen & Des Gaines.
2022 Jim Keenan and his partner Jan Standen (winner 2022 WA Senior Australian of Year Award) at the WA Surf Gallery Yallingup. Photo Jim King. The couple are standing in front of a photo of Jim & Murray Smith sharing a wave at Margaret River main break in 1962.
Thanks for sharing your story Jim.
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