Redhead Surf Club is a big part of Redhead’s life style and has always had a good crowd.
Redhead Beach on a crowded summer day showing Redhead surf club around 1978.
Redhead Beach in Summer 1978
The annual Redhead verses Swansea-Belmont touch footy comp presentation had all those present bemused, when PJ impersonating a female dignitary presented the losing captain of Swansea-Belmont with this Lumsdon Cartoon. A very funny moment is captured here and a good arvo was had by all.
Redhead SLSC Touch Footy presentation
The NSW Championships, held down at Woolongong around 1978 had the bus load of Redhead members celebrating big time after Peter Bale won the state flags. This picture shows all members were happy with the result. The ride home was very lively to say the least.
The Redhead Boat crew were a fit lot and enjoyed their sport. Shown here cruising down a nice wave at Redhead around 1978.
Redhead Boat Crew 1978
Peter Bale winning the beach flags Newcastle championships maybe 1978
Grant Kenny winning at Redhead around 1978
Grant kenny with fans at Redhead beach 1978
Redhead SLSC 70th Reunion
Here are some scenery shots I have taken from around the Redhead area.
Cloud Wave at Redhead Beach – A southerly buster on the way around 1984. I took this and then headed for cover. The cloud looked like an enormous right hander.
Cloud Wave - Storm approaching Redhead Beach 1984
Rehead to Dudley Coastline 1980's
- Redhead Beach by Moonlight 1984
Another photo from the same night as above – The rocks in front of the Redhead Shark Tower. The movement of the water over time has made it appear like clouds.
Redhead Beach in the 1940’s – Details of photo unknown.
Time exposure overlooking Redhead beach with a full moon rising in 1976.
Redhead Beach by Moonlight 1976
Redhead 2nd Creek – June 2007 Storm.
The Pascha Bulker grounded at Nobbys and Redhead’s Second Creek finally got enough water to break its banks and flow again. A rare thing since the 3rd Creek was created and diverted the water flow.
Redhead Beach 2nd Creek June 2007 Storm
Here’s a collection of bits and pieces of surfing related stuff.
Mark Richards, 4 times world surfing champion taking time out to surf a local break.
Martin Littlewood and Roy Lee making boards in the old Chicken Shed down along the Redhead Road around 1976. Both are now established respected board makers. Martin as Delta Designs in Margaret River and Roy as Pacific Dreams in Newcastle.
Windsurfing was big in the 70’s and Jim Wiley was one of the best shown here at Blacksmiths.
This was a big day at Redhead in 2001, the waves were huge and some of the local guys were ripping. Unknown surfer.
Unknown surfer Redhead Beach July 2001
A classic line up at Byron Bay in the late 70’s
Bells Beach Surfing Competion in 1977. The surf was good and big for the finals. Sorry I can’t remember who it was.
Another good line up – Newcastle Cowrie Hole in 1978.
Out of control storm in June 2007 making a mess of Redhead beach. The storm grounded the Pascha Bulker at Nobby’s the day before.
Cold Chisel first came up to Newcastle in the late 1970’s and played at the local southern pubs and clubs the Orana, Belmont Sporties, Mawson, Swansea Workers and went on to bigger things quick. They always played their guts out and got a big Newcastle following. great guys too. Ian Moss wowed us with guitar, Jimmy Barnes revved the crowds, Don Walker’s songs made us listen and the beat was held by Phil and Steve.
Ian Moss at Belmont Sporties
Jimmy Barnes at Cardiff Workers early 80's
Don Walker loosens up at Belmont Sporties 1980
Cold Chisel Group Shot Belmont Sporties 1980
Another hard working band, The Angels always kept the crowd on their feet hooting, with Doc bouncing around and the guitars riffing.
Doc Neeson from The Angels at the Mawson
Midnight Oil played at the Mawson in the late 70’s and were awsome. Peter Garret had the audience hooting.
Jimmy and the boys were outrageous and played great stuff. Ignatious was a showman and always up to mischief to say the least. Rumours were he left a lot of gigs in the roadies gear boxes. Here at he Belmont Sporties I had no idea what he was going to do next.
Jimmy and the Boys - Ignatious Jones
Surfing at Redhead
I started surfing at Redhead in 1963. Redhead was always a great place to surf with good surfers. Somehow I found time to take some photos along the way.
Col Smith was Redhead’s best surfer and in the 70’s and 80’s became respected for his surfing world wide.
Col Smith Channel Boards he took to Hawaii
- Col Smith Redhead early 70’s
Col Smith surfing next to the Shark Tower at Redhead about 1976.
Col Smith in his shaping Bay making Channel Boards
Col started making his own harder edged Channels in his Dad’s Shed that he and Martin Littlewood from Delta Designs worked out. This one was my 6′5″ single fin.
Martin Littlewood was another good Redhead surfer in the 70’s shown here at Redhead Beach. Martin has been making surfboards since then and is now over at Margaret River WA making all kinds of surf boards under the name Delta Designs.
Peter Kuba was another good surfer from Redhead shown here in a nice tube same day as the photo above.
Peter Kuba surfing at Redhead 1976
Here is Col Smith again in an excellent position, making getting a good photo easy. These lefts next to the Redhead Shark Tower were solid this day in 1976.
Redhead Boardriders Club was very competetive and usually finished 2nd to Merewether in the Newcastle area teams comps, having a great surfer like Col Smith helped. This team photo after a club competition was held at Col’s place and all members were having a good time as usual.
Redhead Board Club 1976
Some say he’s an old surfer from Redhead…some say he’s a bloke who’s always keen for a yarn about ‘the good old days’ but you all should say “Happy Birthday”
Crow is my Dad and it’s true, he’s an old surfer with plenty of tales to tell, so for his 60th (October 24th 2009) I’m presenting him with this blog, this window into the world of Crow for everyone else.
A young Crow
I envision these pages will one day be filled with his awesome photos of stuff: surf; scenery; friends and family from when he was a photographer in the 70’s and 80’s combined with rich tales remembered as if they were yesterday. So stay tuned for a portal to the past.
Joe's Garage 1979
No doubt peppered amongst this will be fresh tales of the latest great board he acquired or reviews of a Tom Waits/ Frank Zappa/ George Clinton album he has just rediscovered. Crow loves his weird music and it has played a big part in his life as well as mine, I remember as a 4 year old I would happily sing along to Captain Beefheart. This blog’s title plays homage to one of his favourite albums Joe’s Garage.
Thanks for stopping by and please help me in wishing Crow a happy 60th birthday and extend to him a warm welcome to the world of blogging.
Ellen