Encounter Coast Surfing History
Encounter Bay sits on the south central coast of South Australia about 100 kilometres south of the Adelaide. Encounter Bay was named by Matthew Flinders on 8 April 1802 after his encounter with Nicolas Baudin, both of whom were charting the Australian coastline for their respective countries (Britain and France). The encounter between the scientists was peaceful, even though they believed their countries were at war at the time. (Both parties were unaware that the Treaty of Amiens, ceasing hostilities, had been signed on 25 March 1802.)
University students from Adelaide introduced surfing to the south coast at Encounter Bay in the summer of 1924-5 and the new sport soon developed into a craze. There was a shortage of surfboards, but Eric Webster hired out cars and boards to take parties to Petrel Cove. The Bluff was fenced off and young Battye children made a few bob opening the gates for the surfers.
​
​
Surfers used wooden planks and both men and women embraced the freedom and fun of surfing along the Encounter Coast region. Surfers experimented with the waves all the way around to Goolwa.
Southern Cross Surfriders
The SCS was formed in 1964 with 33 members and
had at clubroom on Chapman road near Day Street
on the south coast where the crew would stay when
the mid coast wasn’t on.
They were the first club to associate with South Australian Surfing Association. Bert Bedford was the original president.
They also won the Club championships in the Mid 60’s
Some of the members included Peter Cox, Gordon Hubbucks, Robert Torr, Richard Gregg, Norm Oatway, Christine Cox and multiple womens open champion Nola Shepard
Bay City Boardriders
​
This image was taken prior to October 10th 1966 as several in this photo were to lose their lives at the Middleton railway crossing on their way back to Adelaide from a surf that day at Day street. Twenty club members are in this shot however there were other members not there the day this photo was taken.
Day Street Surf Club
​
One of the first Surf clubs. Formed early to mid 60’s and based at Day Street surf break east of Middleton. The club house was situated right on the beach at Day Street, the club rooms were painted green.
2 of the Surf chasers parked out front and at the end of their career.
​
Four Point Surf Club
Formed in October 1963 by a group of surfing buddies on a trip to Yorke Peninsula. The name originated from the concept of surfing the four points of the compass. This is something some of the early members lived up to.
Jim Miller, S.A.s noted big wave rider, ventured to Hawaii and surfed Pipeline. other members returned to S.A. with very early tales of the surf at Noosa in Qld.
Brian Murphy, Peter Bourne and Ron Parker blew there minds at the fabled Cape st Francis. Neville Dreyer travelled to Biaritz in France. Ricko the Great to New Nealand. Kym Morton and Peter Swinstead also traveled to Africa. Des Clarke was one of the first presidents of the club.
The club was in existence from 1963 till the early Eighties.
Club members such as Bill Pryer, Des Clarke, Rick Surfield, and Jon Cramwell produced a local surfing magazine called Four Point Mag and ran some of the first pro surfing events in South Australia during the late Sixties and early Seventies.
Also up until the Late Seventies they had Clubrooms right on the beach at the Day St surf break just east of Middleton.
Hume Street Surf Club
Silversands Boardriders
Southern Plains Boardriders
City Beach Boardriders
North Shore Boardriders
Compadre Boardriders
Clearwater Boardriders
The Bay Boardriders
South Coast Boardriders
Offshore Boardriders
Seaford Boardriders
Malajusted Longboarders
South of the Port longboarders
Classic lines Longboarders
Narrunggawi Board Riders
Formed in 1967 the first President was John Rance. The
Clubhouse was situated on the intersection of Adelaide,
Port Elliot and Hindmarsh Roads.
Mike Stanley was also president in later years.
South Bay Surf Club
Formed in November 1964 with a membership of twelve. By 1969 the club had around 24 senior members 7 junior members and 2 life members Richard Bramley and Phil Nicholas and two associate members Wayne Lynch and Simon Buttenshaw. Other early members included Wayne Dale, Andrew “Arab” McArdle and Gary Blyth.
The Club was dissolved in 1970 due to falling membership but was resurrected soon after by Gary Blyth when he recruited a bunch of new members. This new wave of membership included the Palmer brothers Ray and Gary, Rod “Weasel” Bedford, Peter Victorsen, Jack Howath, Dave “Bogga” Hildyard, Ian “Lizard” Hendypoole and Phillip “Sunny”Corcoran.
The club grew over the next few years and along with Seaview Road Board riders dominated club comps between 1970 and 1980.
