Redhead Beach Photos

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.

Surfing in the 70’s – around Redhead

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.

Surfing at Redhead in the 70’s

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 the day before heading to Hawaii with his new channel boards made by Shane, shaped by Jim Pollard. Col went well in Hawaii in 1976  winning the Pro AM and places in all other events including 4th at Pipe.

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

So who is Crow? (and why does he have a garage?)

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