Stubbies Classic 30th Anniversary
Surfing Legends Re-enact 1977 Stubbies Classic - World No.1 Mick Fanning Surfs for ‘MP’
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 April, 2007 : - -
The surfing legends of the seventies proved they can still carve it up
in and out of the water as they celebrated the 30th anniversary of the
revolutionary Stubbies Classic at Burleigh Heads today. More than 25,
of the original contestants took part in the re-enactment of the 1977
tournament that launched pro-surfing into the modern era with the
man-on-man format devised by the inspirational Peter Drouyn (Gold
Coast, Aus).
Michael “MP” Peterson (Gold Coast, Aus), the greatest
competitive surfer of the ‘70’s, defeated four time world champion Mark
“MR” Richards (Merewether, Aus) to win the 1977 event in perfect
Burleigh barrels. Peterson retired from professional surfing following
his victory in that inaugural event.
"It's great to be back at Burleigh," said Richards. "These
days they call the surfing world tour the so called 'Dream Tour'.....
Well, in 1977 this was the dream event. It ushered in an era of
man-on-man surfing, where four and six man heats were the norm. It was
also the foundation for events to be run in perfect surfing conditions
as well as use of waiting periods. In a way, the '77 Stubbies laid the
blueprint for what professional surfing is today."
Mick Fanning : photo White/Surfing Queensland
Today ‘MP’ watched on as current world no.1 and fellow Kirra
club great Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, Aus) replaced him in the final
against Richards in not so perfect Burleigh waves. "I felt honoured to
be surfing against Mick (Fanning) today," said Richards. "He's an
incredible surfer and has a big chance of bringing home a world title
this year. Even though I was surfing against Mick, in the spirit of the
event I was surfing against MP."
The Stubbies legacy showed the world that surfing could be an
exciting spectator sport. Surfing has never looked back from pivotal
moment thirty years ago that changed the format from four or six man
heats to the more gladiator style of man-on-man.
Surfing stars attending the re-enactment included Richards,
1976 world champion Peter Townend (Aus), Randy Rarick (Haw), Dennis
Pang (Haw), two time world champion Tom Carroll (Aus), Mark Warren
(Avalon, Aus), big wave legend Michael Ho (Haw), Buzzy Kerbox (Haw),
Simon Anderson (Narrabeen, Aus), Paul Neilsen (Gold Coast, Aus) and
1978 world champion Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew (Aus).
The celebrations continued with a tribute lunch at Pointbreak
Restaurant overlooking Burleigh Heads. The 1977 contest also marked an
era in surfing when thick surfboards and tight fitting boardshorts were
all the rage. The Stubbies Classic 30th Year Reunion also celebrated
the anniversary of Queensland’s first professional contest.
The original event was named after its sponsor, the Stubbies
Clothing Brand and was one of three major Australian competitions of
its day - the other two being the Bells Beach Classic and the
Surfabout. The Stubbies Classic 30th Reunion is proudly supported by
Tooheys Extra Dry and Surfing Queensland.
www.surfingqueensland.com
Submitted By
Ryan - Magicseaweed.com on the 30th April 2007.
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