Surf City, Sydney

an Historic Houses Trust blog

Russell Lewis

9 comments

Around 1975, apart from Peter Crawford, who defies words, Russell Lewis was ‘the’ surfer on Dee Why Point. Nick Carroll describes him as a gentle bloke with a sharp, static style (see  Whatever happened to Russell Lewis…?) but I remember him as an elastic, orangutang-like surfer with the hottest re-entry, surviving impossible drops over that sucky bowl. Lanky like Peterson but blonde and positive. He now runs a surf school on Kauai, Hawaii, coaching none other than amputee ‘soul surfer’ Bethany Hamilton. Here’s a few shots from my files…

 

Russell Lewis in a promotional shoot for Henri Surf Shop, Curl Curl, around 1975, courtesy and copyright of Hugh McLeod.

The old Henri shop on Griffith Road, North Curl Curl, is now a restaurant.

Russell Lewis on Dee Why Point in a Surfing World spread, taken by Hugh McLeod in 1976, courtesy and copyright of Hugh McLeod and Surfing World magazine.

Hugh McLeod shot of Russell Lewis worked into graphic print on ‘sloppy joe’ spotted at Deus Ex Machina surf swap 2009.

Russell Lewis with pro surfer and shark attack victim Bethany Hamilton in Hawaii, from the Soul Surfer movie credits.

Written by garycrockett

May 25th, 2012 at 11:20 am

Posted in 1970s

9 Responses to 'Russell Lewis'

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  1. I remember Russell from school days at Manly boys high. Good bloke and well liked..I grew up at Dee Why and surfed mostly at Long reef…although sometimes I would head over to Curly when the banks were working and would be out there with Mumbles..cheers mate and we might catch some more waves together. Al.

    Al skinner

    3 Jun 12 at 6:23 am

  2. proud of you mumbles,i remember you in first form at manly high..you and breck mcloud,before we moved up the coast and later.. you were always a layed back guy ..be well.

    bruce hall

    5 Sep 12 at 9:55 am

  3. Henri surf shop was in the old post office,next shop up from restaurant

    brett hall

    1 Jun 19 at 6:23 am

  4. Thanks Brett.

    garycrockett

    3 Jun 19 at 1:55 am

  5. The board russel Lewis is holding in the picture It was my board I remember going into the shop about 1975 buying it and russel saying it was In a promo shot for surfing world.Had some great waves on that board

    Charles Benson

    27 Feb 20 at 12:16 pm

  6. Wow – that’s amazing Charles. Do you still have this board? Thanks for the comment.

    garycrockett

    28 Feb 20 at 12:40 am

  7. I remember Russell back during the Brookie Tech days doing a carpentry apprenticeship. He was a year or two above me at Tech but i remember him from surfing DY & Longy.
    Remember one time it was either his boss or his dad having a fairly intense conversation with one of the teachers towards the end of his apprenticeship, we all did whatever it took to get through Tech.
    Fond memories.

    Ross Cretan

    27 Dec 20 at 10:35 am

  8. Anyone know where Breck Mcleod is these days? Thanks!

    J

    27 Apr 21 at 1:14 am

  9. Pretty sure Brett Mcleod is on facebook. Are you an old friend?

    garycrockett

    21 Oct 21 at 2:18 am

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