We had some sad news last week with the passing of Matt "Ando" Anderson. Our condolences to Matt's family.

This shot was taken by Peter Wilkinson after a winter session in the cold harsh environment of Flinders (1978-79). The huge cliffs offer great protection in the strong offshore winds making waves like Cyril’s very surfable when most other spots are blown out. There has always been plenty of driftwood washed in to build a fire and perhaps because our wetsuits by todays standards were pretty average( I’m wearing a vest over my steamer) this was a regular occurrence.

Ian Cochrane is in frame with Matt (Ando) Anderson, Triggs and Pete’s super dog Jep. If there was a doggie Olympics he would have won Gold.

Matt was a good solid surfer, plasterer by trade and since those early days has spent most of his adulthood living, raising a family and surfing the waves of Phillip Island. In 2001 I was lucky enough to share a trip to the Australian Masters Titles held at Rottnest Island in W.A. with him and fellow islanders Johnny Mason and Oggy. Andos amp and motivation saw the team bring home a few big Titles. It was just extraordinary how he took over as coach and his energy carried us thru a week of competitive surfing.