THE TOOTHPICK PHOTO
Taken in the year 1953.
(L to R) Ernie Johnson, Barry Banister, Terry Albend, Charlie Perryman, Jack Campbell, Ron Casaceli, Brian Keane, Bob Young, Keith Suann, Cec Kirkman, Barry Regan, John Griffiths, Brian O’Donnell, Kevin Quealy.
In 1953 the above photograph was taken at Cronulla Beach of local surfers and their boards, so iconic the photo has a name. Local board maker Don Dietz made most of these boards from timber frame and marine ply in his backyard factory. The boards display the transition from solid carved boards which were inspired by the visit to Australia by surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku in 1915. The pictured boards were ridden straight down a wave unlike the modern version of surfboards and were much lighter than the carved solid boards. Brian Keane pictured in this photograph became Australian Surfboard Champion in 1955. This photo as a mounted documented and framed product of Australian Surfing History is available through Australianhistoryart.