The Trigger Bros Surf Crew U14 Team at Sometimes, Point Leo. From left: Christian Clarke, Simon Trigger, Dave Barras, John “Stilts” O’Neill, Matt Trigger, and Nic Clarke.

It's no wonder they had their little competition at Sometimes, as four of the six were goofies (Phil had actually forced Matt and Simon into being goofy-footers, even though he was a natural footer himself). Apart from Stilts, all the boys grew up right by the water’s edge at Leo.

Nic was the best surfer of the group and, at 13, was one year older than the others. Fordy (not pictured, who was 11 at the time) would go on to dominate junior surfing in Victoria by age 16, later competing in a few pro events with the Billabong team. Decades later, all of the boys mentioned above are devoted parents, in turn introducing the joy of surfing to their own offspring.

Christian Clarke and Simon Trigger both still live at Point Leo and can be found in the lineup on every good day at the Point or around the Gunnamatta area. In fact, Simon is keener than ever, and Christian is able to cross over from SUPs to shortboards at will. He is one of the most courageous surfers Phil and I have come across in our 50-plus years of observing.

Dave was also a very good junior surfer, but due to work and family commitments, we only occasionally cross paths these days.

Stilts is yet another Peninsula goofy-footer. He now lives at Main Ridge and is a regular fixture out at Gunnamatta and Honeysuckle.

Matt “Mister Fix-it” Trigger has the ability to ride absolutely anything. His competitive high point was being one of the best in the state on sailboards, whether riding waves or competing in flatline speed events. He has even been known to SUP on a Windsurfer One Design hull at Crunchie Point and, amazingly, has never collected anyone.

Nic Clarke was a really good junior who wisely chose a professional career path. He now lives at Flinders but spends most of his spare time with his kids down at the Point Leo Life Saving Club.