'Legends of Surf 72' Exhibition Opening This Weekend

Exhibition opening this weekend at Bondi.

Legends of Surf 72 Exhibition takes you on a ride down the tunnel of 1972 and the events that shaped a breakthrough year in surfing.

It was the year that G-Land was discovered and Morning of the Earth was released. There was immense cultural and social change owing to the Vietnam war and the election of Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Legends of Surf 72 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the legendary 1972 Australian Team. Tracing their competitive journey from the 1972 World Surfing Championships in October to the big wave season in Hawaii through November and December. 

1972 witnessed the changeover from amateur competitions to the birth of new professional surfing events that would pave the way towards surfing professionalism.

The significance of the 1972 Australian Team is that, of the 21 surfers, 14 have since been inducted into the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Awards, a statistic unlikely to ever be repeated.

Exhibition images illustrate those young Australians in their formative years and how they'd go on to establish so many successful surfing careers.

Organiser Andrew McKinnon, himself a member of the 72 Team, has collaborated with Curator Karen Neilsen and fellow Australian team member Rod Brooks to jointly bring this engaging story to life. 

Photos have been supplied by photographers such as California’s Jeff Divine, Steve Wilkings, Drew Kampion, Australians Dick Hoole, Frank Pithers, and Mick Eyre, plus photos from 72 Team members Mark Warren, Peter Townend, and Anthony Hardwick.

Legends of Surf 72 has been sponsored by City of Gold Coast and supported by Surfing Australia, TRACKS magazine, Swellnet.com, Floxy, Print & Wear and S-Lab for the creators.

Comments

Panman's picture
Panman's picture
Panman Friday, 2 Sep 2022 at 2:40pm

72 was a vintage year.

Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 1:07pm

Thanks Panman, It sure was. A breakthrough year full of change, hope and a new direction.

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Friday, 2 Sep 2022 at 3:19pm

Proudly born on the day Morning of the Earth was released!
Go the 50 year olds!

Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 1:11pm

That's so cool Crg! I remember being interviewed for Tracks magazine by the Editorand the creator of MOTE Alby Falzon in May 1972 after the Opera House launch. None of us at the time knew that it would become such a seminal movie and arguably one of the best in terms of footage and authentic Australian soundtrack.

Komodo's picture
Komodo's picture
Komodo Saturday, 3 Sep 2022 at 8:46am

Please correct me if I am wrong!
But no exhibition dates for the goldy?

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Saturday, 3 Sep 2022 at 9:15am

I think it’s been in the goldy a coiple times this year already and now they’re taking it on the road.

burleigh's picture
burleigh's picture
burleigh Saturday, 8 Oct 2022 at 1:32pm

Yep. Been held at The Surfboard Warehouse of all places. Chinese imported shit flooding the market for years.
Paying for ex world champs to hang out in their stores.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 8 Oct 2022 at 6:32pm

Cheers Burleigh.
Here's Bugz Big Day Out #1 '78 Design + PlayRoom Boards (vs) Bugz in a SW Pinnie Comp
https://www.facebook.com/since1975hotstuff/photos/a.1622645697879124/278...
https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSGoldCoast/videos/wayne-rabbit-bartholomew-...

(Legends of Surfing is a charitable arm of the 2005 Board Meeting)
https://www.theboardmeeting.org.au/equipment/

Moreton Bay Bugz'n'Prawn Trawl.
Very Similar Branding & Poster for Legends of Surfing Long Lunch 1977
https://www.facebook.com/events/sunshine-coast-convention-centre/legends...

https://www.pacificlongboarder.com/news/Shaun-Tomson-Rabbit-Bartholomew-...
Tour raises money for local Sunny disabled Kids + Lennox Surfrider.

23rd Sept 2022 (Lunch) 12-4pm Novatel Twin Waters Sunny Coast
Tickets $150 (3 courses & 4 hrs drinks ) Standard 'Legends of Surfing' 100% Charitable frontline pack.
tbb checked, ya can give as little as 1 cent & they promise yer gift gets to those in need! (Real Deal!)
Shaun Tomson ( Surfer & the Sage Book signing )
+ bugz BDTD Film Highlites
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/16-09-2022/shaun-tomson-surfer-sage/

Surf Legends Gig of 600 strong raised near on $100,000 for Sunny Kids..Salute!
Certainly looks like the Sunny Boys honoured Shaun as the Legend that he is. Win! Win!
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/01-10-2022/board-meeting-breaks-records/

24th Sept 2022 @ 6-10pm Miami Surfboard Warehouse Gold Coast
Free Ride (High-lights Reel)
+ Shaun's Book signing Surfer & Sage
+ Bugz launches new Free Ride Surfboard Model

"Legends of Surfing Long Lunch"
Sponsored by Tracks / S*lab / SW / Triple M / INSTINCT (Shaun's Brand)
https://tracksmag.com.au/shaun-tomson-rabbit-free-ride-appearance-at-tsb...
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-surfboard-warehouse-slab-presents-shaun...
https://www.prweb.com/releases/world_champion_surfer_and_purpose_activis...

Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 1:29pm

Sorry Burleigh but Legends of Surf 72 Exhibition was shown at Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel and QT Surfers Paradise Hotel in May. LOS72 was never shown at The Surfboard Warehouse.
By the way, TSBW's has been making locally produced Australian surfboards on the Gold Coast for the last 12 months under the S-lab for the Creators brand. And It offers the public an S-lab experience to create and shape your own surfboard with professional guidance.

Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 1:16pm

Yes lostdoggy, it's at Bondi Pavilion until 16th of October and then hits the road again to land at Torquay and the Australian National Surf Museum from 29th October, 2022 until March 2023.

Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 1:14pm

Thanks trubluebasher's reply to the question from Komodo. Yes LOS72 was shown in May on the Gold Coast. After Bondi 8th - 17th, the Exhibition will be at the Torquay Australian National Surf Museum from 29th October until March 2023.

Komodo's picture
Komodo's picture
Komodo Saturday, 3 Sep 2022 at 9:44am

Cheers LD.
Bugger I missed it.
Looks like it would be awesome
Viewing.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 7 Sep 2022 at 3:20pm

Goldie crew are happy to help with Komodo's request...

April / May 2022 Legends of Surf ' 72 Gold Coast

Companion swellnet sites share the stoke from recent Goldie Exhibition!

(Choice of 3 swellnet sites!) ~ Features : Dates / Photo Galleries / Vidz / Interviews / Comments
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2015/05/29/calling-all-o...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2021/08/25/the-surf-film...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2022/04/27/legends-72-ex...

It seems the Surf Safari will likely collect more local Photos & Stories as it Tours

Goldie Gigs were Free + Bondi gig is FREE (Check here!)
https://www.bondipavilion.com.au/whats_on/the_legends_of_surf_72_exhibit...

Oz Surf Museum Torquay ? ( Standard Entry Fees from $6-$12 > Tour )
https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/about/
https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/surfcoasttimes/news/legends-of-72-surfing-...

Goldie sends their best crew & thanx #1 swellnet for piloting our Oz Legends' Surf Safari.

Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 1:19pm

Thanks truebluebasher for putting everyone in the picture! I'm writing a book about 1972 and all the amazing experiences of such an awesome year!

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 8 Oct 2022 at 9:52am

swellnet Hodads timeline some 70's Stylin' for the Ol' Skool Gromz

Victoria 6th Oct - Yin & Yang Gerry Lopez Surf Flick.
Sydney 8-16th Oct - Bondi "Legends 72" (Free Gig) thru to 16th Oct .
Gold Coast 9th Oct ~ Yin & Yang Surf Flick ($20) hosted by ( Gerry Lopez )
Byron 10th Oct Yin & Yang ($20) Hosted by Gerry
Sydney 12-13th Oct Yin & Yang Surf Flick ($30 hosted by Gerry Lopez)
Avoca 22nd Oct Yin & Yang ($20)
Victoria 29th Oct Legends 72 Starts at Torquay

Yin & Yang Tour Dates with Gerry Lopez.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2018/08/08/watch-occ-cas...

skippywolfram's picture
skippywolfram's picture
skippywolfram Sunday, 9 Oct 2022 at 11:09am

Lopez is fuckin fraud and sold out long ago.

Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac's picture
Andy Mac Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 1:24pm

That's a really harsh and totally disrespectful comment on the King of cool, Zen Master, and Mr.Pipeline. Gerry and Jack Shiply created the iconic Lightning Bolt brand in 1972 another amazing event that happened in that breakthrough year.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022 at 4:52pm

Thanks Andy Mac...also agree it sounds harsh in the light of above timetabled events.

Let's see...Gerry tours half way 'round the World to put on a Live Gig + Film for $20.
Are we saying that locking in Pre '70's admission prices is selling out...Wow! Tough Gig!

Shaun's Golden Breed Hodad Gig...left local disabled Gromz $100,000 the better!
Legends 72 is run freely by volunteers who are each unsung legends in their own right.
tbb can vouch that fellow historians of this era are rare & this crew are our best in show.

Half the reason tbb shared the love is that each of these Gigs are legendary events.
If any can scrounge a better deal from their pop idol or local member then please share!

Otherwise our true Legends rule & tbb is proud to share their stoke with the crew!
[Disclaimer] tbb don't even ride boards but salutes #1 swellnet Surf Legends as mentors.