The ASRL Hall of Fame listing is complete, however there are plenty of profiles missing! We are looking to our enthusiastic members to do a bit of digging for us, and fill in the gaps below.

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1996

Keith “Spaz” Hurst

1997

Chris Branson

Bill Clymer

Ron Davidson

Ron Davidson has been a long and loyal servant to the Surf Boat Rowing fraterntity initally in Sydney but for the majority of his time with the South Eastern Corner of Queensland.

His list of credits are far to vast to list here but do include National championships as a Sweep in the Junior, Open and Reserve Ranks. Ron has also given loyal service to the Tallebudgera SLSC as their Captain for 8 years and has been a S.L.S. Australian Surf Boat Inspector for QLD for over 30 years now. Well done Ron you are truly one of the Sports gems.

Keith Hodgson

Ross Jorgensen

Kim Marsh

Bob Miles

Ken Murray

Roger Ninham (dec)

Ron Payne

Kevin “Lofty” Richardson

Robert Walsh

Club - Warriewood SLSC

Joined 1971 & Gained Bronze Medallion 1971

Competed from 1972 -1986 in Surf Boat.

Began rowing in "A" Crew as Bowman at 18 years of age.

• Won 4 Open National Surf Boat Titles - 1977, '79, '80, '81 and 2nd in 1978
• Won Australian Non Championship 1975 and 3rd in 1976
• Won 2 NSW State Titles in 1973, '79
• Winner of numerous Branch and Metropolitan Titles and various medals
• Won World Title 1983 in Hawaii
• Selected as a member of 2 Australian National Teams in Trans Tasman Test Series against New Zealand 1980 and 1982
• Selected in 3 NSW State Teams 1979, '80, '82
• Selected in 4 Manly Warringah Branch Teams to contest Inter Branch Championships.
• Inducted into the (ASRL) Australian Surf Rowers League Hall of Fame 1997
• Presented with Award of Excellence from SLSA in March 2005

Rowing Coaching

1999/2000 -Assistant Coach Bungan Open Boat Crew

2001-2004 Coaching Warriewood Woman's crew and U/23 Men's crew

2007/2008 Coaching Reserve Grade/Masters and Junior Boat crew

1998

Nick Dixon (dec)

Peter "Mick" Ellercamp

Club: Caves Beach SLSC

Australian Championship record

• Open Boat:    3 x first, 3 x 3rd
• Masters:         2 x first, 2 x 2nd,1 x 3rd

Interstate Championships

• Open Boat:    8 x first, 4 x 2nd        

NSW Championship Record

• Open Boat:    9 x first, 3 x 3rd
• Masters:         3 x 2nd
• U21 men’s Boat: 1 x first

World Championship Record

• Masters:         1 x first, 3 x 2nd

Australian Surf Life Saving Representative Teams

• 3 tests vs Sth Africa

NSW Surf Life Saving Representative Teams

• 5 x times

Newcastle/ Hunter Surf Life Saving Representative Teams

• 6 x times (possibly more?)

Newcastle/ Hunter Championships
Too many to list, and honestly he cannot remember

Other Information

• Life Member Caves Beach SLSC
• Life Members Newcastle/Hunter Surf Life Saving Branch
• Life Member Surf Life Saving NSW
• Represented Australia in a marathon across the Cook Strait in NZ, (North Island to the South), 22 miles
• 25 service badge to SLSA
• 50 service badge to SLSA

Russ Jones

Alexander Norton

1999

George Challis (dec)

George Challis joined Cronulla as a probationary member in 1935.  He won junior belt championships in 1937-38.  He went on to hold several administrative positions within the Club and enlisted in the Army in 1943.

On his return from war service, George’s interest turned to surf boats.  He became one of the greatest surf boat sweeps in the history of the Association bringing to the Club between 1949 – 1955 three Australian titles including the senior junior double in 1950-1951.

Elected a life member of Cronulla in 1953, George retired from competition in 1955 and became Club president in 1957 for two seasons.  He also served as a surf boat inspector for 15 years with the Sydney Branch and was National Council surf craft advisor for many years.

George Challis was awarded an SLSA Certificate of Merit in 1948 after he and North Cronulla member Jim Peryman performed a successful rescue at the infamous “Alley”.

He was awarded life membership of the Sydney Branch in 1973.  He set high standards whether it was as an administrator, a lifesaver or as a sweep at the back of a hardworking boat crew. 

The death of George Robert Melrose Challis in September 1982 brought an end to a life devoted to surf life saving and to the Cronulla SLSC.  He had excelled as the complete all rounder, an administrator, Lifesaver and competitor.

As much as anything else, he was one of Cronulla’s favourite sons.

Robert Fulton

Bob Fulton joined the Warriewood Surf Club in 1969 and began rowing Surf Boats in 1970. His list of achievements is formidable and they include but are not limited to:

• 1st Australian Open Boat Championships - 1977,79,81
• 1st Australian Reserve Boat Championships - 1980
• 1st NSW Open Boat Championship - 1973,79
• Aus Team Member Trans Tasman Test - 1980,82
• 1st World Inter Club Championship - 1983

Kevin “Bluey” Myers

Kevin "Bluey" Myers joined the Freshwater Surf Club in 1949, he offically started rowing boats in the 53/54 season. It was to be from this point he never looked back, competing in a total of 18 Australian Boat Finals with 4 wins, and numerous other titles to speak off, it is indeed a list of achievements to be proud of.

Kevin was the 1st Chairman of the Australian League of Rowers and has 105 Branch, Metrolpolitan, State and Australian Championships to his name.

Stephen Swane

Stephen “Yap Yap” Swane joined North Cronulla SLSC as a cadet in the 1960-1961 season when he was 15 years of age.

Steve gained his Bronze Medallion the following season.  His surfboat rowing career began in 1964 and the following year came 2nd in the U18’s boat at the NSW Championships.  The same year he was appointed as senior chief gear steward and then surf boat captain.

A tour of duty on Active Service in Vietnam saw Steve absent from surf club activities from 1968- 1970.

In 1972-73 Steve was again appointed as boat captain.  The following year he placed 2nd in the NSW championships and 5th at the Australian Championships in the Open boat division.

In subsequent years he gained numerous minor place finishes at state and national level.  In between were victories and minor places in marathons like the George Bass and Pier One in Sydney, as well as a trip to Bali for the world championships.  Then there are the various club awards including best boatman, most outstanding senior, NSW representative crews etc that have come his way over the years, the list goes on.

In 1985 as a sweep his A crew broke the ice winning the NSW championships.  They also got 2nd at the Australian Championships.  The following year the double, State and Aussie champions were their reward.

In 1987/88 another NSW open boat championship and 3rd place in the U18’s and to top off a great season, Steve was awarded life membership of North Cronulla SLSC.

In the years to come Steve won more NSW State championships in A’s and reserves as well as winning gold silver and bronze medals at Australian Championship level, Steve has won many awards and received many accolades.

In 1999 he was awarded an Australian sports medal.  He has held numerous positions in the North Cronulla Club and has applied himself with as much enthusiasm in these positions as he has to his beloved surfboats.

To list all of his achievements would take almost forever.  One thing that has been a constant is his loyalty to one Club, North Cronulla and his commitment to all aspects of surf Club life but in particular surf boats.
 
A good club man and a good bloke.

Peter Williams

2001

Peter “Grub” Grant

Don McManus

2004

Wayne Thompson

Wayne Thompson - Grange S.A.

Born 1952

Other competition involvement:
Swimming: Surf teams (Cadet, junior and senior), surf race (Cadet, junior and senior), surf belt (junior and senior). State medals in all of the above events.
Iron man: Medals in State junior ironman.
R & R:     State Championship medals in Junior and senior R & R
1972 Australian Championship silver medallist in Junior R & R Ocean Grove, Victoria

Club management:
Club Captain 1977, 1978.
Boat Captain 1975/76

State Representation

• State team member and Captain: 1977, Bancoora, Victoria.
• Subsequent State team representation: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. National surf league team, surf boat spectacular teams on four occasions.
• State representation total: approximately 25 occasions.

State Championship performances

• SA State Championship Open Surf boat titles: 12. (1977,’83,’84,’85,’86, ’87,’88, ’89,’90,’91,’92,’98.)  This features 10 consecutive titles and 17 State title medals in Open Surfboat racing in South Australia.
• SA State Championship Open Boat Silver medallist: ’79, ’82.
• SA State Championship Open Boat Bronze medallist: ’78, ’81, ’97.
• Won a state medal in Open boat in all but one State Open Surf boat Championship contested.
• State Championship Veteran/Masters boat Championships: 11
• Undefeated in SA Open Boat marathon rowing.

Interstate Surf boat achievements      

• Sydney Harbour marathon 4th.
• Manly-Freshwater row: 1st: 1987
• Freshwater Carnival: 6th: 1987
• Freshwater carnival: 2nd: :1988
• Sun 60 Maroochydore: 1989: 1st     

Australian Championship Surf boat performances      

• 1988: Gold medallist Open Surfboat – Wanda/Elouera NSW
• 1989: 5th place Open Surfboat - Burleigh Heads Qld
• 1997: 5th place: Masters Surfboat     

World Championship performances:      

• 2002: First place  Masters 140 years - Daytona Beach USA
• 2002: First place Open Boat Championship - Daytona Beach USA     

Additional contributions:
Coaching crews, organising gymnasium programs, extensive fundraising for equipment needs.
Coached highly successful 1999 Grange U/21 crew who won the State U/21 and Open Surf boat Championships.
 

2006

Warren Molloy

Peter Mackie

Don Ellercamp

Club: Caves Beach SLSC

Australian Championship record

• Open Boat:    3 x first, 1 x 2nd, 3 x 3rd
• Masters:         2 x first, 2 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd

Interstate Championships

• Open Boat:    8 x first, 4 x 2nd        

NSW Championship Record

• Open Boat:    8 x first, 3 x 3rd
• Masters:         3 x 2nd

World Championship Record

• Masters:         1 x first, 3 x 2nd

NSW Surf Life Saving Representative Teams

• 5 x times

Newcastle/ Hunter Surf Life Saving Representative Teams

• 6 x times

Newcastle/ Hunter Championships

• Too many to list and honestly he cannot remember

Other Information

• Life Member Caves Beach SLSC
• Represented Australia in a marathon across the Cook Strait in NZ, (North Island to the South), 22 miles
• 25 service badge to SLSA
• 50 service badge to SLSA

Dennis Patison

Mel Macpherson

2009

BRIAN ‘WOGGLES’ MASON

Introduction and Summary –Brian (Woggles) Mason (1934-2004)
Brian Mason joined Freshwater Surf Club in the early 1950’s and soon became one of the surfboat movement’s most outstanding members.  Brian’s contribution and unmatched achievements in the surfboat arena had a huge impact on the sport of surfboat rowing.
*’Woggles’ –he was humble yet quietly confident.  He was compassionate yet did not suffer fools. –He developed local surfers with no rowing experience into talented rowers. (*extract from ‘The Surfboat Book’ –by Kim Marsh 2008)

The demise of the historic double-enders in the 1950’s saw the introduction of the more manoeuvrable flat tuck stern boats.  These new boats meant new techniques and Brian pioneered and mastered the skills required of the ‘modern’ surfboat rower.  The ‘jump-start’ technique, still used today, is an example of the innovative approach perfected by this master sweep.  This along with his proficiency of the buoy turn was soon taken up by the rest of the surfboat fraternity taking the sport to a new level from which it continues to improve to this day.

Sadly, Brian passed away in 2004.

List of Championships Achievements

Australian Titles

• 1st Australian Junior Boat Championship 1961–Moana South Australia
• 1st Australian Junior Boat Championship 1962-Tasmania
• 1st Australian Junior Boat Championship 1967-South Port SA
• 1st Australian Junior Boat Championship 1968-North Cronulla NSW

(The above feat of 2 sets of back to back championships in one decade remains a record)

Interstate Titles

• 1st Junior Boat Championship Interstate 1962 –Tasmania
• 2nd Junior Boat Championship Interstate 1967 –South Australia
• 1st Open Boat Championship Interstate 1971 –Western Australia

State Titles

• 2nd Junior Boat State Championships -1961
• 2nd Open Boat State Championships -1969
• 3rd Open Boat State Championships -1971

Branch Titles

• 3rd Junior Boat Brach Championship -1963
• 1st Junior Boat Brach Championship -1967
• 2nd  Junior Boat Brach Championship -1968
• 2nd Open Boat Brach Championship -1971

HOWARD CHRISTIE

Howard’s Rowing, Sweeping, and Coaching career, has spanned 38 years of non stop involvement
 
Competitor achievements:

• As a Junior, he won back to back Open Men’s Surfboat "Silvers", both years, whilst still a Junior, rowing bow, in 1971, then 1972 with Bungan Beach SLSC Crews.

• Open Men’s record, winning 2 Gold, 4 seconds and 1 third.

• Howard has represented NSW and Australia in Branch, State and Australian Representative Teams.

List of Open Boat Results at State & National levels – many other championship results in other divisions plus a long list of placing’s at all levels complete what has been a remarkable career so far for Howard Christie.  

NSW Titles – Open Boat

1985 – Bungan Beach
1993 – Freshwater
1996 – Bilgola
2008 – Whale Beach

NSW Titles – Open Women
2003 – Colloroy

Australian Titles – Open Boat
1985 – Bungan Beach
1986 – Bungan Beach

RICK MILLAR

Rick has done it all from Administration to rowing & this is a sample of his competitive achievements to date: 

• 1964   Joined Avalon Beach SLSC
• 1974   State Finalist Open Surfboat        Placed 1st 
• 1983   Australian  Finalist Open Surfboat    5th
  • Australian Finalist U/18 Surfboat    4th                          

• 1985   Australian Finalist Reserve Surfboat    6th W/O
• 1989   Australian Finalist Open Surfboat        Placed 2nd
• 1993   Australian Finalist Open Surfboat        Placed 1st
• 1994   Represented Australia in USA     Placed 2nd
  • State Finalist Open Surfboat       Placed 2nd
  • State Finalist U21 Surfboat        *
  • State Finalist U18 Surfboat        *
  • Started clubs first Women’s boat crew          

• 1995   Australian Finalist U19 Surfboat     Placed 3rd
• 1996   Australian Finalist Reserve Surfboat    Placed 2nd
  • Australian Finalist U21 Surfboat    *
  • State Finalist Reserve Surfboat     *
  • State Finalist Women’s Surfboat    * 

• 1998   ASRL Finalist in open boat
• 1999   Australian Finalist U19 Surfboat Crew    *
  •  ASRL Finalist Open Surfboat        *
  • ASRL Finalist U 18 Surfboat        *
  • ASRL finalist U21 Surfboat        Placed 3rd      

• 2000   Australian Finalist U21 Surfboat        Placed 3rd
• 2001   State finalist in Reserve Boat
  • State finalist in u/18 Boat
  • ASRL Finalist Open Surfboat        Placed 3rd      

• 2002   Australian Finalist Open Surfboat        2nd D/Q
  • ASRL President a position he proudly held for 4 years                  

• 2003   Australian Finalist Reserve Surfboat        Placed 2nd
  • ASRL Finalist Reserve Boat        Placed 2nd      

• 2004   State Finalist Open Surfboat        Placed 2nd
• 2005   Australian Finalist Open Surfboat        6th
  • State Finalist Open Surfboat        Placed 3rd      

• 2007   Australian Finalists Reserve Grade in Perth    6th