Phil Coates and I had just taken the Victorian State Titles at Bells Beach in 1979. I had virtually retired from comps having had two 1^st, three 2^nd and an 7^th in the 1978 State Rounds when “Killer Coates” talked me into training with him.

His Parents had split up and he came to live with Jennifer and I at Merricks Nth. Phil was the most focused and determined person you could meet. Three months before the Titles he confidently said he would win the Open Men’s and I would take the Senior Men’s division.

I simply went “along for the ride” and his enthusiasm carried us off into 8′ to 10′ Bells boomers. We were simply fitter than any of the other competitors on the day, and Phil’s prediction came true with both of us taking out our Division’s.