1972 Australian Team’s historical reunion

1972 Australian Team’s historical reunion at the Komune Beach Club, Coolangatta on Friday 24th February

left to right Terry Baker, PT, (Peter Townend), MP (Michael Peterson) Rabbit Bartholomew and Paul Neilsen.

Members of the 1972 Australian team that competed at the San Diego World titles will have a historical reunion at the Komune Beach Club, Coolangatta this Friday night.

A one off screening of Glen Blight’s surf art movie documentary known as “Sons of Beaches 72” will be screened around the Komune pool open to the public as part of the inaugural Bleach Festival with donations collected for the Surf World Gold Coast Surf Museum at Currumbin.

In attendance will be a who’s who of legendary surfers who were members of the 1972 Team and the theme of Sons of Beaches movie including the first ever World Professional Surfing Champion Peter “PT” Townend 1976 and 1978 World Champion Wayne “Rabbit”  Bartholomew).

Joining the original Coolangatta Kids will be well known Gold Coast brothers Paul and Ricky Neilsen, Paul was 1972 World Smirnoff Champion Hawaii and former Australian Champion), Mark Warren (Duke Champion, former Australian champion and Quiksilver live web producer), Simon Anderson (1980 Pipe Champ, 77/81Bells and Thruster inventor), Mark “MR” Richards (4 times World Champ 79-82, Pipe champion 81, Smirnoff 82), Andrew “AndyMac” McKinnon 6th San Diego World titles & 1988 World Longboard champ plus Doug “Claw” Warbrick co –owner of Rip Curl and 72 judge,  Rod Brooks 72 assistant manager and Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Contest Director and Terry Baker 72 judge and former ASP Tour Judge.

Special guests of honour for the night will be Hawaiian Legendary World Professional surfers Larry Bertlemann and Michael Ho who were both junior members of the 1972 Hawaiian Team with Larry then 17 placing 4th and Michael then 15 placing 5th. The Hawaiians dominated at San Diego with the Late Jimmy Blears of Hawaii winning the 1972 men’s World title and Hawaii’s Sharon Jackson taking the Women’s crown.

Both Bertlemann and Ho excelled in World Pro events during the seventies. It is Bertlemann’s first trip back to Oz since 1978, known as the Rubberman because of his radical flexible style equally famous for his skateboard antics blending both styles. Michael Ho’s was famous at Pipeline winning with a broken wrist in plaster, his younger brother Derek won the 1991 ASP World title and now Michael’s daughter Coco is on the ASP Women’s world Tour with brother Mason on the WQS.

The public will be asked to make a donation with proceeds directed towards the Surf World Surf Museum at Currumbin. Donor’s names over $10.00 will be put in a raffle to win a keg of beer from Burleigh Brewery.

Cost $10.00 Doors open from 7.30pm.

Surf World Surf Museum @ Currumbin