On 30 January 2016, SDS published a blog about the Miami Surf Board Club. A decade later, this look back at the fledging WA surfboard club—featuring many vintage Tom Collins images—is still well worth revisiting……enjoy 😊
2013 Tom & Patsy Collins with SDS editor Jim King at Karridale. Photo Kath King.
In 1964 surf photographer Tom Collins and his mates were members of the Miami Surf Board Club (MSBC) which was based at Miami Bay (now Falcon) near Mandurah. The club was registered as MSBC, but members were known as ‘Surf Finks’ and they wore t-shirts with a rat and the words SURF FINKS printed underneath the rodent. Ronnie Flood did the t-shirts.
Surf Finks surfed local Mandurah beaches including Miami Bay, Geary Shack, Avalon & Tim’s Thicket.
Tom Collins – “1964-65 it would be nice to relive all those magic days/years”.
1964 sea weed heads, some of the founding members of MSBC L-R Derek Hilton, Alan Hilton, Wayne Huxley (decd) & Alan Nicholson. Photo Tom Collins.
Tom Collins rode a Dibben Cole balsa surfboard. It was a red colour & Tom put a face decal on the board. Later on Tom’s decals appeared on Jacko surfboards.
1964 MSBC members & surf equipment. Photo Tom Collins.
(Left) Alan Nicholson & Wayne Huxley with Tom’s Dibben Cole balsa surfboard with face decal.
(Right) the Hilton Brothers, Alan standing on Derek’s shoulders.
1964 Alan Hilton & Alan Nicholson with Tom Collin’s first Len Dibben board on the right. Tom Collins pic.
Patsy Collins – “This photo of Miami Point would have been taken in the 60’s, as we were married in 68 and went to Albury NSW. Tom was stationed in the army there, he came home on compassionate leave for a few days, arrived Friday, married on Saturday and we were off across the Nullarbor in a lowered Vauxhall Viva on Sunday (taking it back for a mate). Exhaust system did not last long!!!!”
1960s Miami Point waves (now Falcon). Tom Collins pic.
1960s Surfing Avalon Point. Tom Collins pic
1964 Tom Collins with Len Dibben surfboard at Falcon. Photo Tom Collins.
1964 Geary’s Shack surfing line-up. Tom Collins pic.
Mid-60s Len Pill surfing Tim’s Thicket. Photo Tom Collins.
Mid-60s Wayne Huxley surfing Tim’s Thicket. Photo Tom Collins.
Club Champions
In 1965 Dave Ellis was MSBC Senior Champion. Brian ‘Tom’ Collins placed 2nd and Wayne Huxley was 3rd. Teena Christon was MSBC Women’s Champion.
1962 Dave Ellis working in Cordingley gloss room Hay St Subiaco. Photo Dave Ellis.
1964 Miami surfer Teena Christon with her Len Dibben surfboard. Media pic.
1965 Tom Collin’s MSBC Senior Champion 2nd place trophy. Photo Tom Collins.
Click on this link to view Vintage Surf Images by Tom Collins.
Thanks Tom, for sharing your vintage surfing memories.
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