Cactus 1977 - video
There are only a few places in the surfing world where the coastal environment hasn't changed from 1977 till now. Cactus is one of them and this short video, compiled from old Super8 footage, also shows how little a journey into the desert has changed. Chuck a few boards on the roof, pitch the tent in the dunes, and the desert therapy is nearly complete. If you walk over those dunes and the bay is full of waves then consider the job done. You can forget about everything else - even time.
Comments
Same as it ever was.
Nice little movie.
As chilled as a night under the stars.
ditto
Unreal..
WPM that you with the durrie at 7.40?. Terrys other vid 'Spring Titles 76' on utube is worth watching.
I remember the Orion tent from when I was a little kid running around the sandhills, looked way bigger back then, a veritable castle ... never expected to see that again.
Only difference these days with the Cactus experience is most crew do the drive in airconditioned comfort.
Ronnies last year this year for a while (or maybe forever!). He's sold a 5 year lease to a young couple who I think run the Ceduna caravan park. Will be a shame not to see him and Baz around the traps. End of an era but what a great legacy. The man is a dead set legend.
"The man is a dead set legend."
Second that.
Reckon they should hang his blue overalls in the Oz surf museum at Torquay.
Totally, and he's just had a once in a lifetime trip to Antarctica, dead set legend!
Amazing how nothing has really changed out there. A very special place.
Gods Country !
If it weren't for Ron the camp site would probably be developed. I always thought his nephew was going to take over the lease? Tough gig though ,cleaning out those dunnies every day.
Damn, but that brings back so many memories.
Spine tingling footage. What a time. What a place.
Last Sunday morning, Cactus break glassy, consistent, couple of foot with Ronnie and only a couple of other crew. Memorable. Humbling. He had a great trip to Antarctica. Thanked him for everything which he casually dismissed as usual. What a legend. So to his brother Barry who looked after Cactus whilst Ronnie was away. Will i get to see Ronnie let alone surf with him again...?
Isn't it fitting most comments are for Ron. Not everything else about Cactus but the relationship to the human and the humanity of the man.
He's done this job tirelessly for a long time. Despite everything about the place, it still has an aura about it...and thanks to Ron for greeting (most) with a warm smile.
Maybe an article on Ron would be in order? (with his permission of course)
How cool was that? Great little fim and having never been to the desert, captured how I imagine it would be.
a surf sanctuary
Looks bloody magic. Envious of yall who've been
Hows the house paint on old mate couple minutes in
Great footage, love the surfing, the boards, the era.
And I was thinking I was pushing it being the big four zero this year. These blokes would be getting on a bit.
Classic legrope ...full cord with a bit of almost surgical rubber tube over it...not a lot of give in them.
Best vid I have ever seen on this website. Kinda feels like eternal youth - those guys must be in their 60s now but they are immortalised in that vid as carefree 20 year olds. Reminds my of my trips to the NW desert in the 90s
Is Moose still at Cactus?
Yep Moose still hear, not surfing unfortunately but the Mayor still stands!!!
Cheers Goodwill.
Wonderful flow to the surfing, a joy to watch.
I worked out at Eucla at one time, and it was mentioned that it was surfed in the 1970s. Anyone here do that?
Had the Cactus experience at the end of first year uni in 74. At that time being from the south side of Sydney it was heading into the unknown for me. The road trip from Sydney, the characters met along the way, six weeks camping in the desert pretty much shaped my own development and relationship with surfing and the environment that continues to this day. There were classic times both in the water and around the camp fire with mates both old and new. It's as they say a life enhancing experience. Makes ya wonder why we don't get out in our own backyard more often!!
First year of uni, eh Fuhrer? I did my first trip to Cactus in '94 during my first year of uni. I'm surprised you're only twenty years my senior. You look older than that.
Funny I was saying the same thing about you recently!! No good getting older if ya don't get wiser Stu! Thats why when you ask me if I'm going the wave of the day I don't have to answer! Its a nod and wink and see ya later!! How am I looking now!!
Went to Cactus in 79 and share the classic memories above. Awesome location, the corrugated road, the general store at Witzig's, mice plague forcing escape from the tent to the HK wagon, publican at Penola pub punching one of our new mates for putting VB stickers on the wall, accidently driving on the salt flats coming back from the pub with Skeeter on the roof hanging on to the racks after a boozy night, constant thoughts of sharks following recent fatalities, being shit-scared at Castles with just me and Tisman out, refining/developing the backhand at Cactus main break, radiator blowing out on the way back to Vicco, ah the list goes on. Funny how no one else has mentioned the sharks (no, I'm not proposing a cull!).
There is a great book titled "Cactus surfing journals from solitude" by Christo Reid. Plenty of narrative relating to shark experiences including a special encounter from one G Lopez!!
He states" I took a long paddle to the other side of the channel to check out the left. It was a short wave on a shallow shelf but it had some punch and I liked the fast takeoff. I rode there for about half an hour with no surfers in sight. I saw a set coming and paddled outside a bit to get into position for it. I paddled up the first wave and could see the second wave was much bigger. I also saw what looked like a huge torpedo coming straight at me in the face of the wave. It was the biggest shark I have seen in the water. I spun my board around and paddled for the wave that had just gone past. In a rush of adrenalin I managed to claw my way back over the top. I rode the white water on my belly until it was pretty shallow and my fin was almost dragging before I stopped, stood up and looked back! I will never forget seeing that shark. It was as big as a resin drum and I looked into both its eyes. I guess it wasn't interested in me, because I never saw it again. It was also the last time I ever surfed Cactus!"
don't mention the sharks or you,ll never go there. the old mate with the house paint all over his face is a good mate of mine . blew me away when he popped out in this home movie clip as it did to him when everyone told him of it. hes now in his 60s still surfs every day and off on a surf trip to the matawiis this month, still surfing as good as ever with same distinguishing style. On one of his later trips to cactus a guy surfing next to him had his board bitten in two from under him , mick helped paddle him in to safety real gutsy effort from a really good person to have in your corner in life.
heres some good 70s footage from wa
Love this video ! Does anyone know which tune is playing ? Thanks !