April 1976 - Longboard

Pete Townend throws his arms high in a theatrical soul arch as he glides towards the big groyne at Kirra. “I just put my little single-fin fish in perfect trim and challenged the curl to knock me off!” PT later recalled. Fortunately, legendary lensman Marty Tullemans was perched on the Kirra rock-wall to capture the moment.  

It became one of the most iconic Tracks covers and a defining moment for PT.  “This photo has become the one-shot of my career that’s followed me everywhere,” insists PT.

Inside the issue, Phil Jarratt defends Maurice Cole who has been stripped of his chance to claim a Victorian surf title because of a minor dope charge. Jarratt also goes ‘Full Bore Through the Back Door in Torquay’, which has become the epicentre of a burgeoning surf industry. Rip Curl is making giant strides with Singer and Warbrick at the helm, while Quiksilver’s yolk-cut boardshorts are rapidly becoming a high-demand item for surfers.  “Quiksilver’s got a certain vibe about it that guarantees success,” explains founder, Alan Green.

Waves generated by Cyclone Colin batter the coast and Nat Young calls it ‘the biggest clean swell I’ve ever seen in Sydney.’

Elsewhere, Wayne Lynch discusses his ‘refined’ shapes, Jeff Divine talks images, Captain Goodvibes gets laid in the tube and there’s a full-page report on the benefits of Kung Fu.