goldcoast

The sport of surfing was in fact introduced to Australia by a Hawaiian named Duke Kahanamoku and Australian Isabel Letham in 1955. It was the duo’s impressive display that seduced and shook the nation, leading the way for a lifestyle obsession which today is woven into the fabric of Australian culture. As the frenzy of surfing as a recreational activity grew into the Aussie way of life, so too did the evolution of equipment and surfing styles. In the ’60s, Australian board designer Bob McTavish was responsible for the design of the V-surfboard and is widely acknowledged today as one of the key figures in the development of surfing. Source: theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/how-austral...

The big island at the bottom of the world has been crazy about surfing since the 19th century. Knowing how to ride a wave is a common skill in Australia, and that is why, for many, it is the ultimate surfing destination. 1867: Charles Steedman publishes the book "Manual of Swimming," which features a chapter titled "Native Swimming, Wave Mechanics and Surfboards"; 1903: Manly Beach holds the first demonstration of surf lifesaving methods; 1909: "Surf Sports at Manly," the first documentary film on a surf demonstration, is screened around the country; 1914: Duke Kahanamoku visits Australia and rides waves in front of thousands of spectators; 1919: Claude West becomes Australia's first national surfing champion; 1939: German-born Australian Harry Wicke wins the SLSA of Australia Surf Board Championship; 1963: Surfing Australia is founded; 1973: Gordon Merchant launches Billabong; 1996: "Litmus: A Surfing Odyssey," a movie by Andrew Kidman, marks a new era in modern surfing; Source: www.surfertoday.com/surfing/the-timeline-of-australian-su...

The small rocky headland Kirra Point separates Kirra Beach to the north and Coolangatta Beach to the south, and is noted as one of the world's premier surf breaks. In the past the surf break was known for producing high quality barrels. Today sand pumping across the Tweed River mouth has filled it in and changed its character. The name of the neighbourhood comes from Kirra Hill which is 27 metres (89 ft) above sea level,[3] which first appears on an 1883 survey plan by surveyor Mr Schneider. Although believed to be an Indigenous name, the specific language and meaning is unknown. For example, in the Yuggera language, kaiyar means white cockatoo while in the Kabi language kirran means fire.[1] Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirra,_Queensland

The people in this photo are actually sitting on Greenmount Point - the headland in the background is Kirra Point, with Coolangatta Beach separating the two.

Thank you for your comment. This photograph has been updated on the catalogue with the relevant information update this Dec 2011 version of this image..

The men are sitting on Burleigh Heads looking south. Immediately below them, out of shot is Tallebudgera creek. The next headland down the coast is Currumbin hill.

PALM BEACH, GOLD COAST If the Gold Coast had a middle child it would possibly be Palm Beach, nestled between Tallebudgera Creek on one side and Currumbin Creek on the other. But don’t for one minute think this destination is dull. Similar to its Florida namesake - which was named America’s best place to live in 2013 - Australia’s Palm Beach has thrice been crowned Queensland’s cleanest beach. In another US link, borrowing from New York in this instance, Palm Beach’s avenues are also numbered, in this case from first to twenty-eighth, making navigating this corner of the coast a cinch. But that’s possibly where the similarities with the Big Apple exist. For our Palm Beach is one of laid-back living and is one of the best examples of where rambling beach shacks still survive, perched petulantly on million-dollar blocks. Surfers and sunbakers flock to Palm Beach for its wide, sandy and spectacular beach. There’s also a variety of eating options here and you can’t go past the Palm Beach Surf Club for a feast. Accommodation options consist of everything up to the top end of town, but we reckon you can’t go past a beach shack for a bit of coastal character. Palm Beach is just 10 minutes from the Coolangatta airport and 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise. Source: www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to-see/palm-beach