Redhead surfers in the 1970’s

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Surfing at Redhead in the 1970’s

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 Channel Boards he took to Hawaii

Col Smith Channel Boards he took to Hawaii

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 surfing next to the Shark Tower at Redhead about 1976.

Col Smith surfing next to the Shark Tower at Redhead about 1976.

Col Smith in his shaping Bay making Channel Boards

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 foot 5 inch 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.

Martin Littlewood Redhead Beach 1976

Martin Littlewood Redhead Beach 1976

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

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.
Col Smith Redhead Beach 1976

Col Smith Redhead Beach 1976

Redhead Boardriders Club was very competetive and 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

Redhead Board Club 1976

2 thoughts on “Redhead surfers in the 1970’s”

  1. Great shot of my uncle, Peter Kuba, on a gnarly left hander. I was a grommit at Redhead beach in the early seventies and learnt to surf with the Conrick boys; John, Grant and Boyd. My uncle Peter gave me my first board, a Col Smith 6’3 six channel single-fin, and I rode it in Port Stephens at One Mile, Birubi and sometimes Fingal. After a long hiatus of circa 30 years, and too many extra kilos to mention in polite company, I am just getting back into surfing. The 8’6 mal I have been using has shown it’s shortcomings in dumping, fast breaking waves, so I was happy to find that Free Flight surfboards still make replicas of Col Smith’s six channel single-fins. Thanks again for the photos and the history. It’s really important to remember where you came from 🙂

    Reply ↓

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