This photo was taken during the presentation of the Point Leo 1200 awards in 1974. The photo features, on the mic, the late and much-loved Stan Couper, president of the Victorian branch of the Australian Surfing Association. Taking on a voluntary position, Stan and his wife, Vi, put in many long hours running our surfing comps in a professional and orderly manner. Not even the likes of outspoken superstars Nat Young and Terry Fitzgerald were stooped and bowed to when pulling a tantrum for special treatment. Stan made sure there was a level playing field for all and did a magnificent job at all events.

The Pt. Leo 1200 was the brainwave of Colin Clatworthy, who, along with his wife Mary, had built up a very good small business catering to campers' and surfers' needs. He put up some cash, and along with prizes from other sponsors, the first East Coast Professional Surfing competition kicked off in July 1973. Alan Atkins from the West Coast won that year and followed up with a second place in '74, with Leo firing up to 8 feet for the Sunday final. That year, Phil Trigger was the winner, Maurice Cole took third, and the rising star—at least judging by the pants he wore in this photo—was Ted Bainbridge in fourth place. Trigger Bros' number one team rider, Ian Portingale, placed fifth.

Colin’s event ran again in 1975, this year drawing quite a few prominent interstate surfers keen to brave the cold waters for a cash reward. Small surf saw the final shifted to Portsea, where Big Wednesday stuntman Bruce Raymond was far too good. Queenslander Andrew McKinnon was second, Russell Lewis of N.S.W. took third, and Victorians Mick Pierce, Allen Tibballs, and Paul Trigger filled the minor placings. Even after selling the store, Colin and his family continued to live at Pt. Leo. His son, Johnny, developed into an outstanding goofy-footer—the king at First Reef and a superb tube rider at G-Land, as seen through my own eyes.

Mary and their son, Michael, still live in the Point Leo estate, with Colin passing away some ten years ago. Watching on at the presentation are two young groms, including Cameron Ross on the right, from a group of young surfers living in and around Sycamore St., Frankston. They were affectionately known as the "Sycamore Savages." On a couple of occasions when the P.S.C. ran its footy match, Phil and I gladly joined their team to take on the St Andrews All Stars (Mick Pierce’s team) and the Davies Bay boys from Mt. Eliza—who were, naturally, professionally paid players with Jeff Vockler driving the team bus, not forgetting their lovely marching girls.

Cameron was a good, solid surfer but, more importantly, a super nice guy. Wilco and I would occasionally spot him passing through Frankston, more often than not on his bike. We would always pull over for a chat. He was never someone we thought would ever have a problem with drug abuse. Sadly, though, he is no longer with us.

Sitting on a stump is Christian Clarke, who looks right at home—and so he should be, as his parents brought him up in Western Parade, just a stone's throw from First Reef and Crunchy Pt. He now lives with his own family 50 metres from where he was seated 38 years ago at the time of this snapshot. Along with his mates Fordy and Trucker, I’m yet to see a more fearless threesome in the water. Christian’s surfing ability, particularly his tube riding, is way above average. More recently, with two young daughters now surfing, he has expanded his surf vehicles to include a paddle surfboard on which he has already won selection for the National Titles at Coffs Harbour.

Triggs

Extracted Text from the Breakaway report .

The shopkeeper's contest

[Photo Left Caption] Phil Trigger, Col Clatworthy

[Photo Top Right Caption] Paul Trigger. Gary Simm photo.

[Photo Middle Right Caption] Alan Atkins. Gary Simm photo.

Pt. Leo is a holiday resort on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. It's opposite Phillip Island, facing almost the same direction as Bell's Beach and works on the same sort of conditions. There is one shop there and once a year storekeeper Colin Clatworthy, holds a contest in the middle of winter.

It started as an idea to give local surfers a contest and let them win some money, and to give the younger ones a chance, too.

This year it attracted interstate entries and is now likely to become a regular event. It may even take a place alongside the Easter Bell's contest. Ted Bainbridge filed this report on the Point Leo '1200' Surfriding Contest.

It didn't look the best on Friday, there was a low pressure system looming but it would be a few days before swell arrived.

Saturday morning was cold. A few braved the conditions to surf the 2 to 4 ft. dribbles breaking over the reef. Kevin Barr (Queensland) was out trying to get the hang of the place on his kneeboard I think he stayed in his wetsuit all day.

There was a novice section this year for all youngsters who hadn't placed in a contest. They were the first to compete. Steve Artis, top Narrabeen kneeboarder, arrived at mid-morning to survey the situation. The kneeboard event, at least, looked like being a national event.

Heats of the junior, cadets, novice and some kneeboards were held. During the day all judges and officials were fed by the Clatworthy's.

Most of Col's business throughout the year comes from surfers and this year (the second) he organised the Point Leo store 1200 to channel some of money back to us. He gave $300 and hours of labor getting added sponsorship to boost cash up to $800 with more than $1500 in prizes. I really can't imagine any other coastal storekeepers doing that sort of thing.

By Sunday, the surf had been reduced to less than half the size of Saturday. Colin agreed to let the contest be shifted to a beachbreak 20 miles away — a decision which meant his trade for the day would be almost non-existant.

He also said the whole kneeboard event could be finished so that the interstate competitors would not have to stay down till the following weekend.

The waves at this beach break were good 3 to 6 ft. lefts and rights. Some were excellent. In went the open heats with some outstanding riding by Victoria's top riders. At least those who failed to qualify in the heats could not blame the surf and generally the judging was good — the best judge for the contest would receive $20.

By late afternoon, the surf deteriorated as the wind swung more down the beach. The kneeboard semi finals and quarter finals were held during the day and the final was held in near darkness and poor surf. However the finalists elected to have the event so that the interstate surfers could make their way home. It was a bit of an anti-climax and the brilliance showed during the day was no where to be seen in the poor waves that evening. One highlight of the afternoon was a really tight tube by Kevin Barr.

The rain came as the kneeboards made their way in — in darkness. And so ended part one.

During the next week the wind blew west and that anti-cyclone remained stationary south of the bight. No swell arrived.

By the following Saturday, hopes were highway for a big swell at Pt. Leo. It didn't come, but there were 3 to 5 ft. rideable waves and the remaining qualifying events in all divisions were held.

The open semi-finals were close and all 12 riders deserved to get into the final. The lucky ones got through.

On Sunday, the swell was huge. The west wind was strong and came from the side. Off the point, there was 6 to 8 ft. waves with an occasional 10 footer. It was the biggest Point Leo has been for months, and the stage was set for some exciting riding in the finals.

First in were the open finalists; Maurice Cole, Alan Atkins, Ian Portingale, Phil Trigger, Ross Slaven and myself. With board caddies close by we surfed those waves for an hour. They weren't particularly good, but they were big and the experienced riding of Phil Trigger, Alan Atkins and Maurice Cole really stood out. It was a close battle for first place but Phil Trigger edged the other two out through local knowledge and longer rides.

The juniors were next with excellent riding from Max Skillbeck, Peter Reeves and Chris Cornell. Chris had looked like being a winner from the start of the contest, but was overwhelmed by the large waves and never really got going. Kim Potter found it hard on his backhand.

The cadets, novice and women competitors were mostly content with riding the smaller inside break during their events and really it was a matter of who caught enough waves rather than who rode them well. However young local Stephan Sitarz was far ahead of his rivals in the novice division. If he keeps improving the way he has, he'll be a force to reckon with in the next years. Ian Cochrane was well above the standard of the other cadet riders. His mate, Phil Brain, is catching up fast though.

Evelyn Van Derra surfed well in the women's section.

She goes out on the coldest days, even when the surf's big, and catches plenty of waves. She could give Australia's top girls a hard time if she enters contests this year. There were a few new names among the women.

When all the results were tallied, the presentations were held outside the Pt. Leo store. Colin Clatworthy gave out prizes from all sorts of firms — radio stations, ice-cream manufacturers, soft-drink bottlers, beauty salon and a host of others. All in there giving money or products to surfers.

It was a fitting result in all divisions. The winners in every section were Peninsula surfers. A result which shows just how well the East Coast riders now surf.

I think all those who participated were thankful to Stan Couper and family, the A.S.A., the store and all the sponsors. Next year, Colin informed me, there should be $1200 in prize money and many more prizes. I only hope there's surf again!

Pt. Leo '1200' results:

• Open: Phil Trigger 1 ($400); Alan Atkins 2 ($200); Maurice Cole 3 ($100); Ted Bainbridge 4 ($50); Ian Portingale 5 ($30); Ross Slaven 6 ($20).

• Junior: Max Skillbeck 1, Peter Reeves 2, Chris Cornell 3, Kim Potter 4, Rob Licciardo 5, Lance McDonald 6.

• Cadet: Ian Cochrane 1, Brett Woods 2, Phil Brain 3, Ken McKay 4, Mark Pawson 5, Paul Menogue 6.

• Novice: Stephan Sitarz 1, Chris Wayman 2, M. Stock 3, Brett Woods 4, Dennis Warwick 5, Mark Pawson 6.

• Kneeboards: Neil Luke 1, Rob McCartney 2, Kevin Barr 3, Steve Artis 4, Geoff Seletto 5, Paul O'Loughlin 6.

• Women: Evelyn Van Derra 1, Gail Couper 2, Jan Moore 3, Audrey Lippi 4, AMary Flynn 5, Lesley Howard 6.

• Best judge — Gary Simm ($20).

• Best wipeouts — Mary Flynn, Brett Woods.

[Photo Bottom Right Caption] Leo lay-out. Gary Simm photo

Page 2 Captions...

(Located in the small text block on the middle right side of the page)

Pt Leo '1200' Contest

Left: Mick Pierce, Gary Simm photo

Top right: Lee Orbuck, side slip, Gary Simm photo.

Top left: Phil Trigger, winner.

Bottom: Drak, Paul Harris photo.