Over the past few years there’s been a recent resurgence of the ukulele. Popular artists such as Jack Johnson and Vance Joy have all had major hits featuring the soothing cords of ukuleles, which seem to conjure images of palm trees, beaches, flowers, and that easy going island vibe.

Between the months of March and July, Surf World Gold Coast will host a rare Ukulele Exhibition in celebration of this amazing instrument. The exhibition will feature ‘A Century of Ukuleles’. Consisting of early Portuguese and Hawaiian models dating back to 1915, to modern and present day Hawaiian and U.S. models, the vast display is a rare and wonderful array of prominent pieces that few would have experienced.

So if you’re a ukulele enthusiast, or you’d simply like to see the historic displays of surfing memorabilia featured at Surf World Gold Coast, drop by for a visit.

World renown author and Surf World advocate, Tim Baker, has made a living from embracing everything to do with surfing.  Having twice received the Australian Surfing Hall of FameCulture Award, Tim has recently penned a brilliant article on Surf World Gold Coast and its mission to preserve the history of surfing.

Click here to read the article.

Due to the success of our first ukulele night, Surf World Gold Coast is happy to announce a second ukulele night entitled ‘A 100 years of Ukuleles’. Kicking off at 5pm Thursday 4 June, the event will feature live entertainment from the Coolangatta Ukulele Club who will be greeting guests as they arrive, and also a solo performance from one of the leading ukulele players on the Gold Coast, Chad Sheather. Chad was a sensation at our original Ukulele night with his impressive skills, and due to demand he is back again to the delight of guests and will also be accompanied by an electric bass player and a lead vocalist.

The ukulele exhibition that is currently on at Surf World Gold Coast will be on display for guests along with the vast collection of historic boards that feature throughout the museum. The ukulele exhibition consists of early Portuguese and Hawaiian models dating back to 1915, to modern and present day Hawaiian and U.S. models. It is a vast display and consists of rare and wonderful pieces that few would have experienced. The surf film, Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau, will also be shown on the evening. This insightful documentary features the life and times of Eddie Aikau, the iconic Hawaiian waterman best known for the namesake big wave event held in his honor at Waimea Bay and the even more iconic bumper sticker ’Eddie Would Go’. It is a must see film for anyone who’s remotely interested in surfing, Hawaiian history, or documentaries in general.

There will also be a BBQ with beer,wine and soft drink available. This is an all ages event, and only a limited number of tickets are available, so get in quick to secure your spot for what is sure to be a terrific evening.

Phone Surf World Gold Coast on 07 55 256380 or email for more information.

Saltfest is a unique Surf Festival held at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast that ventures back to the grassroots of surfing and draws in the best of what the smaller, bespoke players in industry have to offer. The event celebrates our surf lifestyle and culture, by delivering a fusion of surf and street products, amazing food, sweet as tunes and it’s all in the one epic, super lush location.

The inaugural event is on the 1st March to coincide with the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast. Held at the Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre, the venue is perched on top of a grassy knoll overlooking the spectacular Pacific Ocean – the views and atmosphere are breathtaking. The hybrid indoor/outdoor event catches the best of what the Gold Coast and surrounding towns have to offer in terms of surf culture and artesian products. The day will cater for ocean lovers and families who are looking for a unique experience and a taste of what the Gold Coasters enjoy from one of the fastest growing sports and cultures in theworld.

There’ll be some very unique products on offer and you can even order a custom surfboard on the day. You’re encouraged to come and chat to local shapers, surf photographers, surfclothing businesses, surf rider groups, musicians and local ‘tasty as’ food vendors. SurfWorld will also have a display so be sure to come say hi.

Be healthy and walk the hill after parking in the surrounding areas. ATM’s available on the day. Kicks off 9am and finishes 3pm (QLD time).

If you have grown up with stories of the freakish abilities of the great Michael Peterson, and wondered if the tales had grown somewhat taller in the retelling, you need to get yourself down to Surf World Gold Coast, Friday, January 2.

Given the scarcity of quality footage of Peterson, who dominated Australian surfing in the ‘70s then vanished into a twilight world, younger surfers might be prone to think his peers have exaggerated the stories of his feats. Yet the proof is in the watching for those fortunate enough to clap eyes on Steve Core’s classic but largely forgotten 1972 surf movie, In Natural Flow.

In Natural Flow captured the turn of an era, as the giants of the ‘60s disappeared into the Byron Bay hinterland or in search of enlightenment through yoga, eastern religion or drugs. Into the breach stepped a new generation of hyper-competitive youngsters hell-bent on taking over the surfing world. Core was right in the thick of it and captured many of these budding young talents as they bloomed. As well as the great MP, there’s Peter Townend, a very young Rabbit Bartholomew (briefly), Simon Anderson, Col Smith and many others, putting the evolving shortboards through their increasingly radical paces.

IN a very special screening, Surf World Gold Coast will host filmmaker Steve Core and world champions Peter Townend and Rabbit Bartholomew, who will stage an insightful panel discussion following the screening.

Join us for the screening of our first event for 2015. Doors open at 6 pm and admission is $10. Drinks and BBQ available on the night.

The museum is privileged to be hosting an exhibition of superb photographs by Bali pioneers Dick Hoole and Richard Harvey. Both  icons in their field the exhibition of over 50 photographs showcases the lifestyle of the Balinese people in the 70’s as well as newly discovered surfing locations. The exhibition will be on display until Xmas/New Year and all photos are available for purchase.

Photo: Richard Harvey at Uluwatu – Photo by Dick Hoole

A small audience was in attendance for the showing of LAST PARADISE which was Surf World GC’s final event of the year. The movie which documented the beginnings of some of our extreme sports such as jet boating, bungy jumping, glacier skiing and big wave riding featured some amazing footage and was very well received. Clive was on hand to introduce the movie and answer questions. Surf World GC would like to thank Clive for his support.

Photo: Clive Neeson and fans

A special screening of the National Geographic version of LAST PARADISE will be held at Surf World on Friday the 21st Nov with Film Maker and physicist Clive Neeson on hand to present and explain the significance of the film. Local legend Al Byrne is one of the story tellers in the film who creates the spirit of innovation and love of the wilderness. For those who missed the LAST PARADISE at Twin Towns event, this is an ideal opportunity to see the film and be inspired by  its wider significance.
 
“LAST PARADISE” has been dubbed “the greatest story of adrenaline and innovation” and tells how a bunch of young  adventurers met in the wilderness and pushed the limits of innovation to pioneer the modern concept of extreme sports and adventure travel. For physicist/film maker Clive Neeson, the film has literally been a lifetime in the making and that journey has revealed major issues about our future and how we will innovate the vital solutions for survival of our civilisation. Oddly enough, it’s all concealed in the fun of adventure and 45 years of jaw-dropping original footage.
 
Among the characters are our extreme sports pioneers and surf legends like AJ Hackett and Al Byrne who take us on the journey of a lifetime to discover virgin paradise in Noosa, Gold Coast, Bali, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand and Africa during the 60’s and 70’s.
 
Entry is $10 per head. Drinks available to purchase.

Get your signed copy of Phil’s new book and join him, Dick Hoole and Richard Harvey while they reminisce about Bali in the early days. Phil will also present a video documentary of his book. Here Phil describes the making of the documentary: ‘The short film we have been making in Bali this month is based on my book, Bali Heaven and Hell, for which I interviewed more than 60 people, but mercifully I had trimmed this down to about 20 – still a lot of work when you have only three days to shoot it, and you have to deal with Bali’s chaotic traffic to get from one scene to the next.

With the help of long-time expat Michael Little, we managed to locate the Windro compound in Suluban on the dusty Bukit, where 40 years ago we would leave our motor bikes and pay the young boys to carry our boards to the cave at Uluwatu while we jogged ahead. In those long-ago days there was nothing but dry and rocky fields surrounding Windro’s, but now it has been surrounded by out-of-control tourist development.

I had a bunch of Dick Hoole’s black and white photos from that time on my laptop, and at a roadside warung we managed to find Wayan, the pretty young girl pictured walking down to the beach with a bucket of cold drinks balanced on her head. Now in her late 50s and still beautiful, Wayan led us to the compound.We walked down tracks and along stone walls to a paddock that I recognised immediately as the place where Dick had shot a picture of me in 1975, laughing uproariously while the film-maker Jack McCoy gave the kids joy rides on his motor bike, pretending to be out of control. Wayan shouted out a name, and another lovely woman emerged from behind some shrubs. I showed her the series of photos that had been taken right where we were standing, and she pointed to little Nyoman, my favourite board-carrier for several years, and said: “That my husband, he no look like that now!” She and Wayan laughed until they cried’.

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. For more information contact Surf World on 55 25 63 80

Photo: Phil Jarratt on left, Jack McCoy giving the lesson. There were no motor bikes at Windro’s yet. This was a pure novelty

For those of you who don’t know much about the Gold Coast’s Jamie Mitchell, he is a man of many talents. Although the term ‘legend’ is thrown around lightly these days, it’s hard to describe Jamie in any other way. He is not only an accomplished big wave surfer, tow-in surfer, stand-up paddle boarder, professional lifeguard, but also the 10 time consecutive winner of the Molokai to Oahu Paddle Board World Championships.

There is still some fascinating memorabilia on display for the Cheyne Horan exhibition at Surf World. One particular item that is featured from Cheyne’s long and distinguished career is the Waimea 5000 trophy that he won whilst competing in Hawaii.

At the time of the win Cheyne had only just turned 18 years of age, which made him the youngest competitor to win an event of that type. The monstrous trophy still remains Cheyne’s favourite and sits beside other great pieces that make up his exhibition. Come and check it out!

Grant Newby loves to surf. Not only that, but Grant has a particular proclivity to build surfboards out of wood, something that very few shapers do in this day of age. On the 2nd of August, Grant will be hosting a Wooden Surfboard night at SurfWorld. The gathering is a great way for board builders and like minded people to connect whilst enjoying the wonderful display of boards and surfing history at the museum.

Grant has also organised a guest speaker for the night, Sergi Galano from Flama Surfboards in Spain. Sergi will be talking about his experience in setting up his wooden surf board business and his method of building wooden boards. I am sure you will have plenty of questions for him and experiences to share. For further information on the event night, call Grant Newby on 07 5539 5969 or visit his blog here

Movie Night at Surf World - 27th April 6.00pm

In conjunction with the heritage event Surf World GC will have a movie night featuring the 1976 surf movie ‘Tubular Swells’  a Dick Hoole and Jack McCoy production.  This movie featuring the Gold Coast along with other international destinations was developed and edited in a small unit at Mermaid Beach and was the first feature length surf movie produced in Queensland.  Dick Hoole, film maker and producer will be on hand to introduce the film and will host a Q and A session at the end of the evening.

An added bonus (yet to be confirmed) will be the showing of clips from their 1981 film ‘Storm Rider’.

In conjunction with ABC, Natalie Imgraben and Jess Drummer came to visit Surf World Gold Coast in February and had the pleasure of talking with Surf World Gold Coast’s Chairman, Mal Sutherland, about the infamous and iconic Rip Curl Pro Bell. The particular trophy that the museum holds was won by Joel Parkinson in 2004.

The girls compiled a video as part of their curriculum for Bond University and Natalie has passed the film onto Surf World Gold Coast. Have a watch of the video and listen to Mal while he tells us some of the history behind one of professional surfing’s most sought-after prize.

Thanks Girls!

On Saturday 22nd March 2014, a 3 hour workshop will be conducted by master shaper Richard Harvey, a man who has been shaping boards for over 45 years and is a former Australian champion. The workshop is designed to introduce people to surfboard shaping and to provide them with a better understanding of how their current board works and for those who want to experience the satisfaction of riding a surfboard that they have designed and crafted themselves. This workshop will launch them in the right direction.

“Richard is one of the most experienced and highly regarded shapers on the coast and a real craftsman. This will be Richards second workshop at Surf World and we thank him for his continued support” said Surf World Chairman Mal Sutherland.
A digital or printed notes folder containing, tool lists, information on setting up a shaping bay, safety equipment, a set of instructions for building your own shaping stands and a Surfboard Shapers Workshop DVD will also be available for an additional $10.
Surfboard Shaping Stand kits and T-shirts will be available for order on the night.

Venue: Surf World Gold Coast, Level 1/35 Tomewin St, Currumbin
Date: Saturday 22nd March 2014.
Time: 6.30—9.30pm
Cost: $30.00
Phone 0722256380 for Bookings

With so many surfboard shapers residing on the Gold Coast it’s hard for the average Joe to know what separates the good shapers from the great. Master Shaper Richard Harvey comfortably fits into the latter category. With over 45 years experience, Richard has not only shaped thousands of remarkable surfboards over the years, but has also shaped an impeccable reputation amongst surfers and his colleagues as a truly gifted shaper.

The Surfboard Shapers Workshop, which is on at Surf World Gold Coast this Saturday, 22nd March, is an introductory course to shaping your own board. This one 3 hour session covers all the basic elements of surfboard shaping, including the shaping bay layout, the tools used in each of the processes, design elements, to understanding the fundamentals and character of boards and fins. It also covers how to decide on what surfboard to shape and ride, to creating templates, translating measurements, and much more.

Richard’s vast knowledge on anything surf related is an indication of how he has immersed himself in his work, leaving him with a reputation for an attention to detail that is second to none. Renowned local surf photographer Marty Tullemans will also be attending the workshop as the official photographer.

This price of attending the workshop is available for an exclusive offer of just $30. If you wish to secure a position for this prestigious event, contact Surf World Gold Coast on (07) 55 256 380.

Venue: Surf World Gold Coast, Level 1/35 Tomewin St, Currumbin
Date: Saturday 22nd March 2014.
Time: 6.30—9.30pm
Cost: $30.00
Phone (07) 55 256380 for bookings

Surf World Gold Coast would like to thank Blake Tabone, Managing Director of Surfing Exhibitions Australia, for providing us with a free exhibition space at the inaugural Australian Surfing Sports Expo which was held last weekend at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. With temperatures outside ranging from hot to extremely hot, the cool conditions inside the Expo were a welcome relief for all who attended.

There were a wide variety of stalls on offer over the three day event which included surfboard shapers, clothing stalls, skating gear, media outlets, body boards, stand up paddle boards, and much, much more. Of course the Surf World museum had a display featuring historic memorabilia due to the help of our amazing volunteers that generously gave their time to man the stall.

Highlights of the Expo included local shaping legend, Richard Harvey, entertaining the masses by shaping boards in his mobile shaping booth. Jack Knight also gave away a free board along with Go Pro, who gave away a Go Pro each day of the expo worth $500.

All in all it was a great event and hopefully one that continues to build with the support of the surfing industry. Surf World would like to thank all who gave their time and support over the Expo including Andrew, Annie, Bill, Dave, Joan, Susan, Terry and Rob with special mentions to Bob for all his hard work is setting up and taking down. And Bruce, from the Resto Shed, for providing his immaculate kombis to promote Surf World.

Surf World would also like to thank Scott Gillies from Surfing Queensland for providing Surf World with a booth at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro, which is currently on at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast. Keep an eye out for the booth and especially for the Surf World 2014/2015 Calendar, which is filled with breathtaking images from world renown photographers. Retailing for $10!

The Australian Surfing sports Expo will be one of the largest surfing events in Australia’s history…out of the water and right in the heart of the Gold Coast. This expo, which is also open to the public, is designed to bring shapers, retailers, tour operators, designers and all manors of inventors and innovators from the surfing industry under one roof. The expo has been designed to promote surfing and surfing products to not only industry heavy weights but up and coming companies. The exhibition is more then just surf boards, it will include all types of surf products from stand up paddle boards, bodyboards, wetsuits, swim fins, knee boards, surf industry & charity organisations, kite boards, fashion, accessories and even motorised products (Inc. Jet-skis).​

The expo will run for 3 days at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre from February 14th – 16th 2014 covering a huge 5000 sqm in one of Australia’s greatest surfing heartlands. The Gold Coast is well know for running some of the largest contests on the world tour of many surfing styles.

The Australia Surfing sports Expo is being proudly run by Surfing Exhibitions Australia. S.E.A is extremely proud to bring this expo to Australia and has been working on this shows establishment for over 18 months. The S.E.A team has been put together over the past few years with people who specialise in their fields including: sports analysts, event managers and surfing representatives.

If you are interested in exhibiting or require more information about the Australia Surfing Expo please contact S.E.A via our CONTACT page

Surf World would love you to join us on Friday 17th January. Phil Jarratt will be launching his new book ‘That Summer At Boomerang’ and presenting a ‘magic picture show’ about Duke Kahanamoku’s visit to Australia in the summer of 1914-15.

Doors open from 5.30pm for 6.00pm start. FREE entry, BBQ & drinks available. We we would love to see you here.

Taking up where Bob’s first book, STOKED, left off, this is the story of what happens when youth gives way to the responsibilities and discoveries of middle age, when things like family and religion and bringing in income clash head to head with a lifestyle built on no commitments.

Told in Bob’s signature style, a mixture of mischief and poetry, MORE STOKED! is a homage to 70s surfing as well as a coming of age story. Accompanied by many never seen before photographs this is a beautiful gift book for surfers and armchair surfers alike.It’s impossible to picture Australian surf history without Bob McTavish. One of the first Australians to adopt surfing as a lifestyle, McTavish worked to surf, hung out with legends of the sea and turned himself into a household name. Now in his late 60s and running a successful board business in Byron Bay, he still surfs daily.“From long-term addict to pragmatic. From original wooden boards through to the first longboard era. The Short Board Revolution. Wave skis. Snowboards. Sailboards. Longboards reworked and redeveloped. Guns. Big-wave lust. Small-wave joy. A wife who surfs. Two sons who surf everything well. A happy outlook. No end in sight.”  Bob McTavish is MORE STOKED than ever.

Bob will be talking about the book and showing 3 short movies including a 15 minute film of Noosa taken by Hayden Kenny in the early 1960s.