New Zealand’s North Island in January 1978 had excellent surf and good weather as the following photos show. The NZ people were friendly and helpful and made my short stay there a memorable one. Locals picked me up if I was hitching, took me surfing, to the pub and put me up. The beaches were unspoilt and beautiful.
Driving down the road to this point you are welcomed by a view of one of the best set ups you could imagine.
New Zealand 1978 Whale Bay
And it just seemed to get better and better…
New Zealand 1978 Raglan Indicators
Manu Bay had most of the crowd on it but this view was hard to pass.
New Zealand 1978 Manu Bay
The mid week afternoon sessions were popular with the locals but crowds were thin during the day then.
New Zealand 1978 Evening Surf Raglan
A beautiful summers day 1978 at Manu Bay with a local surfer enjoying the conditions.
Surfer New Zealand Manu Bay 1978
And another scenic point break photo with only 3 guys in the water…
New Zealand Raglan 1978
- 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.
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