Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay, Victoria | History Museum

Australian National Surfing Museum

Locality: Torquay, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5261 4606

Address: 77 Beach Rd 3228 Torquay, VIC, Australia

Website: https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au

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25.01.2022 Your wave is waiting... by @highintheskyphotography

24.01.2022 THE LONG RIDE Like a bit of surfing history? Want to dig a little deeper? Check out the ANSM Blog on our website, here is a link to get you straight there and enjoying surfing history, tall tales and true . . . https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/australias-/... Enjoy!

24.01.2022 In preparing the Waves & Wheels exhibition we came across some . . . er . . . interesting advertising. Like this FIAT ad from back in the day. Not sure it is a great idea getting the old FIAT that close to salt water . . . anyhoo . . . have a great weekend folks!

23.01.2022 Days at the reef... by @alexander_shore_photography

20.01.2022 FROM THE VAULT My Favourite Surfing Trophy Mick Dooley’s Bells Trophy... The iconic brass bells handed out to the winners of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach have become one of competitive surfing’s most sought after awards. Earning this reward gains surfers a huge amount of respect for beating the world’s best surfers in the cold and challenging Bells surf. Aesthetically the bells are a pretty cool thing and it is functional as well. I know of at least one Bells winner that used the trophy to call his family together for dinner. Before brass bells were first handed out to contest winners, in 1968, there were a number of other awards winners had received, felt pennants, silver trophies, and this little surfing figurine. This was presented to Sydney surfer Mick Dooley when he won Bells in 1964. Mick had been inspired to come down to Bells after the success of his mate Glynn Ritchie a few years earlier. 1964 was a great year for Mick, after winning Bells he finished fourth at the Manly world championships firmly establishing himself as one of Australia’s greatest surfers. Mick is a pretty humble guy though and that is part of why I love this trophy that he loaned to us. This is a pretty humble little trophy, but it is obviously much loved. You can see where the plating has been worn away over the years, as it has been handled and cleaned. It is such an understated piece, but it is unique, it is the only trophy of its type presented to a Bells winner, very cool! See more

20.01.2022 THE STAR FIN When Bondi’s Cheyne Horan arrived at Bells Beach in 1984 the board he was riding created quite a stir. Some people thought it was a joke, others were interested to see how it would perform. It wasn’t just the radical winged fin, designed by famed Australia 2 yacht designer Ben Lexcen, but the stubby no-nose board design that was unusual as well. The board, fin and Cheyne’s unique style and skill came together that year to see him win the contest. So why did the f...in not become an ongoing part of surfing history? Perhaps the simple answer is that the design was too technical, or that there was a lack of understanding about how the fin needed to be set up properly to get the best performance. Simply sticking the fin in other boards was not the answer, you see the design meant that the fin angle was critical. Not widely known is that Cheyne didn’t screw the fins into his boards, he wedged them in using different materials that would allow some movement, it is critical with these fins that they meet the water flow at 90 degrees to operate properly. Cheyne’s boards were fairly wide and flat through the tail, if you fitted a star fin to a normal board with more tail lift the fins, Inspired by the plan shape of a WW2 Spitfire fighter wing, would catch water and cause the board to porpoise. (catch water draw the tail down til the fin was at the correct angle then release, go back to normal angle and repeat). Most people were put of by such reactions, legropes could wrap around the fin, the fins could trap seaweed. Bob McTavish was giving a talk at the museum once and got onto the subject of the Star Fin. He understood the relationship between the rocker and the fin and also the need for the fin to be at the correct angle. The Thruster (3 fin set up) was becoming the dominant design in surfing, and no one had to think about how they were set up. Cheyne (and others)rode boards with this fin for years until moving to Thrusters. I must confess I have had a few surfboards with Star Fins over the years and still do, my impression is that they make boards feel shorter, drive when pushed but can sometimes hum (get the feeling a fibreglass version would fix that). They can be tricky, but they definitely have their place, and certainly provide a different feel compared with the standard Thruster set up. Thanks Cheyne. See more

19.01.2022 Blooper tape from a busy Snapper day! by @surfingishard

18.01.2022 And into the week we slide... by Romyphotographer

18.01.2022 EXPLORE OUR COLLECTIONS | Our Surf Culture displays include a diverse range of important artefacts, artworks, trophies, historic photos and classic surf movie posters, books, clothing, wetsuits and other memorabilia that reflect different eras from the past 100 years. You can also view them online: https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/

18.01.2022 What a day! Did you get out and enjoy it over the weekend?

18.01.2022 BOARD OF THE WEEK I'll just leave this here shall I? After being on display for many years in the museum this pretty floral inlayed Klemm-Bell Tracker was returned to its owner . . . sad to see this one go.... Have a great weekend folks . . .Summer is only days away!

17.01.2022 A stunning sunrise at Jan Juc beach captured by local photographer Linda Gorfol Photography

16.01.2022 The health and safety of our valued customers and staff is our number one priority during the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. As part of Surf Coast Shire's planned response to reduce the chance of the virus spreading, the Australian National Surfing Museum has been closed temporarily until further notice. The good news is we will still be here, diving into the archives and searching our vault to keep telling epic stories of Australian surfing. We have got a new website coming soon, our YouTube channel ‘SurfworldTV’, the searchable collection and other goodies at Google's "Great Sporting Land" will help keep you entertained and informed, and of course we will still be posting here regularly! https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au

16.01.2022 #ThrowbackThursday Surf Industry in Torquay: Inspired by Klemm-Bell Surfboards Terry Klemm and Reg Bell are a couple of genuinely colourful characters who’s co...mbined names became one of Victorian surfing’s most loved brands, Klemm-Bell Surfboards. They were amongst the earliest entrepreneurs involved in Torquay’s surfing industry. They both grew up bayside in Melbourne surfing storm surf at Williamstown and made early surfboard building efforts in the back yard of Terry’s mothers house in Newport. They moved production to Yarraville and then Spotswood but shortly after their factory burnt down. After a short stint again in the back yard Klemm-Bell surfboards popped up at Gardenvale. In the early 1970s they moved to Torquay’s first purpose built surfboard factory/showroom at 114 Geelong road and amassed a remarkable pool of surfing talent to help manufacture and sell surfboards. They briefly produced blanks on site before becoming agents for Dion Chemicals supplying other manufacturers with board making materials. As the 80s rolled around their gaze had moved elsewhere, Reg moved up North and Klemmy headed over to Phillip Island, both remained involved in the surfing industry but Klemm-Bell as a brand pretty much disappeared . Ever the entrepreneur the semi retired Terry Klemm developed mini surfers, featuring figures based on world champions Tom Carroll and Kelly Slater and sold them via Quiksilver and other stores. There was a fantastic reunion a few years ago at the Williamstown bowls club organised by Ken Lewis, a brilliant opportunity for fans and factory workers to gather and celebrate everything Klemm-Bell one of Torquay’s most charismatic surfing brands. With thanks to the Australian National Surfing Museum for this story!

16.01.2022 Emerald green longboard dreams by saltywings

16.01.2022 NAIDOC week, a great chance for us to celebrate the connection between indigenous, coastal and surfing communities and alignments between a relatively young surfing culture and original Indigenous culture . . . Pic sundial at Fisherman’s beach

14.01.2022 I get the feeling this may be a common occurrence over the following months as Aussies take to the road this summer. Lockdown's over (for most of us) international travel is off the list and state borders are opening up. Road trip anyone? How cool then that we have carried over our exhibition "Waves & Wheels" an exhibition dedicated to the surfing road trip. This is one of the pics that didn't make the exhibition (from Adrian Lockhart in Tassie) that represents surfing's spirit of adventure and it's a classic! Cars loaded up with boards, sleeping under canvas . . . long may you drive!

14.01.2022 There's been some spectacular storm action over the South West Coast of Victoria over the past week! by SeeSea Images

14.01.2022 Bells doing what Bells does...smokin’ last week! by SeeSea Images

13.01.2022 Our Curator talking about Bells, other beaches and the links between them . . .

13.01.2022 In the late 1950s and early 1960s surfing became part of a youth movement that swept the world, as music, fashion and language became centred around the beach. Surf adventure became a central part of the surfing experience as surfers and their friends started exploring the Australian coast in wagons, vans and other surf mobiles in search of fun times and perfect waves. Car companies released surfing themed models , Sandman, Sundowner and Drifter panel vans were soon hitting the road, featuring over the top graphics and advertising that made real surfers cringe. For many surfers van life was reality, greeted by a wide open road, very few rules, and new horizons around every corner . A few pics from our Waves & Wheels Exhibition...

12.01.2022 Laura Macauley has become the first woman to surf The Right, a wave so enormous that it is famously consider near ‘unsurfable’. Located in WA, The Right is often referred to as the ‘Everest of the south coast' due to the size and danger of the waves. Macauley’s attempt took months of preparation, including carbon dioxide tolerance training. Since Macauley’s success, fellow Aussie Laura Enever has since also conquered The Right.... Photo Kelly Cestari/World Surf League via Yahoo Sports Australia & ABC News

12.01.2022 BOARDS . . . WE GOT EM! One of the comments our visitors often make is about our fantastic collection of surfboards. We have featured many of them on fb as Board Of The Week but I thought you might like to have a collective look at some. In the first pic is Bobby Brown's personal Jackson rider from the movie Hot Generation, Klemm-Bell and Gill malibus (in really good condition), George Greenough spoon with neoprene flextail, Keyo stringerless Plastic Machine, Shane - Ted Sp...encer White-Kite, John Arnold Wayne Lynch involvement model, Klemm-Bell downrailer shaped by Wayne Lynch (1 of only 6 such boards) Shane Terry Fitzgerald twin fin (built in 24 hours . . . Fitzy was keen to find out how twinnies went). Next pic Terry Fitz Hot Buttered winged pin full mural personal board of the Sultan of Speed, Bertlemann twinnie . . . iconic, Maurice Cole -Reno Abellira Hawaiian Gun, Cheyne Horan Blue Blob replica (shaped by Terry Fitz, we now have a genuine one to swap with this), Dooma Hardman McCoy, Peter Townend G&S Tubeshooter. Just out of shot to the left of these are one of Derek Hynd's fish's, a Bradshaw Layne Beachley won a world championship on, a Jack Freestone board that was shaped for Parko but ended up under the junior world champ's feet, and a Byrne tow board that Tom Carroll used to campaign. That is 19 spectacular boards . . . we have over 150 on display at the meseum . . . come n check em out if you get the chance, you won't be dissapointed.

12.01.2022 It's not long until we can re-open our doors to the Surfing Museum... keep an eye on our Socials for more details coming soon. https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/

11.01.2022 WE'RE BACK!! After nearly nine months we are welcoming visitors back to the museum Woohoo! We have got gallons of pink goo and gloves to protect our visitors from any covid nastiness. We have spaced out the chairs in the theatre, and have lots of lush surfing history to get you excited. We hope to see you soon . . .

10.01.2022 Art is such an important part of cultural expression, and sometimes it can happen in really sneaky ways. In surfing’s early days there was little in the way of art or design, a logo on a board, some shop signage, perhaps a screen printed logo on a board. Surfing was all about getting in the water, but as businesses evolved around surfing people began to explore better ways to promote their products and events. What better way of saying I was there than having a souvenir of your favourite event, a reminder of a specific place in time. The garment, the image, the fonts used, the names all stand as a representation of culture at that time. So things like this t-shirt from the Bells contest in 1979 become little time capsules, a reflection of who we were back then, a cultural creation.

10.01.2022 ANSM BLOG GOES LIVE THE LONG RIDE As part of the Australian National Surfing Museum’s ongoing commitment to sharing great stories of Australian surfing we have launched a blog on our website. In celebration of over one hundred years of surfing history in Oz we are calling it The Long Ride and through regular posts we will share more in-depth tales of surfers you should know, turning points key moments in Australian surfing, secret surfing history, iconic surfboards and way,... way more. We have a lot of fun with our facebook posts, we try to keep them short, sharp, informative and fun. The blog posts will allow us to dive in deeper, explore diverse and perhaps unknown parts of our surfing heritage, and build a history of Australian surfing one blog post at a time. We hope you enjoy this opportunity to explore stories from our rich surfing heritage as we share pieces of the surfing puzzle with you. To check out the Australian National Surfing Museum blog The Long Ride go to . . . https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/blog/ Pic, C R Downie boat/boardbuilder displaying the fruits of his labour . . .

06.01.2022 A moment of contemplation... by Romyphotographer

05.01.2022 Book in your School Tours now for 2021! We cater for school students from Prep to Year 12 and can tailor guided Museum tours to specific course outlines (VELS) such as History, Technology and Environmental studies (Outdoor Education). We have a range of educational material (worksheets) designed for different year levels. Please email any enquiries to [email protected]... https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/education-g/

04.01.2022 EMPTY BEACHES Finding perfect waves with no one else around is every surfers dream. Can you imagine what it was like for Louis Whyte and his friends being the first surfers on the Victorian coast 100 years ago, walking across the sandy beach at Lorne and launching out to sea for the first time. And what a great place for this to take place, sparkling water, golden sand fringed by native forrest the Noosa of the south. Surfing would evolve over the decades to become a multi faceted thing but for these early surfers at Lorne, trying to stay upright on big heavy solid timber surfboards, it was simply fun.

02.01.2022 SURFERS YOU SHOULD KNOW Joe Sweeney Joe’s story is woven through the fabric of the Torquay community, as a family man, teacher, fire fighter and surfer Joe had an impact and is one of this town’s most memorable characters. Joe was one of the many members of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club who found themselves drawn to the waves at Bells in the 1950s. It was quite an adventure getting there at that time, surfers bush bashing their way along the cliff tops. Joe teamed up with... the Barabool shire engineer Ron Spence and grader owner Lance Altman to widen an existing track to Bells. Joe set about recovering the costs associated with this venture by having his mates pay one pound each to use the newly constructed road to Bells. Inadvertently he created a pretty comprehensive list of Bells surfing pioneers. At Bells Joe was a competitor, a judge and in time constructor of the iconic Bells trophies. Joe made the Bells See more

02.01.2022 Check out our new blog on the website. You'll find stories from our rich Australian surfing history and discover the fun, fear, colour and beauty of riding waves. https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/blog/

01.01.2022 So sad to hear of the passing of Australian surf photographer Marty Tullemans. There have been some beautiful tributes to him posted today from people who knew and loved the bloke. Our Projects and Tours officer Gary Dunne had a long involvement with Marty and wrote the following . . . Australian surfing lost a truly significant figure with the passing yesterday of the inimitable Martin Tullemans, 68 years old, after a battle with kidney problems and dementia. Anybody who pi...cked up surfing magazines from the early 1970s through until the early 2000s would have seen many of his photographs, mostly from his home waves of the Gold Coast but also from many other areas of the surfing world. Variously known as Click Click, the Cosmic Pygmy and Mad Marty, he was always warm and friendly, a creative/eccentric/smart and absolutely unique character. Before digital camera technology made it all too easy, Marty was one of a small number of surfer/photographers whose fulltime commitment, skill, passion and countless hours of standing on beaches or swimming amongst the waves helped share the stoke and magic of surfing. His work is preserved in the pages of three decades of surf magazines but his impish smile will definitely be missed. We salute you Marty! Vale & Rest In Peace... Pic Propeller Promotions Hoole/McCoy

01.01.2022 ANOTHER STORY FROM OUR BLOG "The Long Ride" https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/secret-surf/