Deep dive into romance of surf culture on Mid North Coast

An immersive exhibition which plumbs the depths of the rich surfing culture on the Mid North Coast will open to fanfare at Coffs Harbour tomorrow. 

Swell Chasers: Surf Stories from the Mid North Coast sprawls across three galleries at the City of Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) from 23 November to 2 February. 

“These are the shared stories of locals – from the board-shapers, artists and writers through to the pioneering film makers and the surfers themselves,” Mayor Nikki Williams said. 

“Some of the objects have never been shown publicly before - this is a truly unique exhibition dripping in wow factor.” 

Swell Chasers traces the evolution of surfing from what was once a way of life back in the 1960s through to today as a multi-billion dollar industry and elite sport (and still a recreational pursuit). 

“We did a community shoutout to people with a love for surfing to contribute and we’ve been swamped with everything from surfboards to boxes of memorabilia,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said. 

“The presentation covers the rich tapestry from Crescent Head in the south up to Angourie - and includes many of the local characters who virtually became larger than life.” 

In the ’60s, those chasing wave perfection jammed their boards in vans and station wagons in search of surfing nirvana and an alternative lifestyle – the surf trip was born. 

Coffs Harbour became integral as a stopover point from Sydney to Noosa – seeding the Mid North Coast as a home for surfing culture, innovation and a place where legends were forged. 

“John Witzig and Bob Weeks, who moved to the region around 1970, led the way in recording the rise of surf culture and the longboard revolution, along with contributing to the establishment of magazines such as Surfabout and Tracks,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.    
   
Iconic surf films featuring the Mid North Coast include Stormriders and one of the most loved and respected movies of all time, Morning of the Earth by Alby Falzon.  

Swell Chasers also captures some of the stars of the surfing industry – like board makers Roy Holloway, Trevor Pollard, Bob Cooper, Ritchie West, Mick Saggus, Rodney Judd, Ronnie Goddard, Billy Tolhurst, John Blanch, Thorton Fallender, Rodney Dahlberg, Brett Munro, Neil Collins, Theodore Melittas, Scott Dillon, Mitchael Rae, Paul Joske and Valla Boards through to current shapers Minimalist Surf Craft, Tradition Surf Board and Sugar Drive.  
 
“Powerful, compelling and eclectic, Swell Chasers is a journey through time, tracing what became a ‘movement’ on the Mid North Coast,” Mayor Williams said. 

“There are the Indigenous stories, the emergence and awakening of recognition for women in the sport, and the many ferociously talented surfers who made their names here.” 

Swell Chasers is a free exhibition and will be complemented by Mulga’s Heading North which brings tropical vibes to Coffs Harbour for summer. An international phenom, Mulga (aka Joel Moore) has partnered with global companies from TikTok and Coca Cola to Lego. 

Photo: (from left) Amber Mercy (Naru Surf), City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams, Brandt Mackney (bodyboard collector), Hilary Melittas (3rd Women’s World Surf Titles 1964) and filmmaker Alby Falzon.