Vale Wayne Deane: ‘A champion in every sense’
Wayne Deane was a reserved, intelligent and gifted man, a master builder who made some of the best surfboards in the world, writes Andrew McKinnon. He was Coolangatta surfing royalty with an intimate knowledge of surfing and the sea second to none.
Beaches & Fishing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Beaches & Fishing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WAYNE Deane started surfing in 1960 with his brother Robye, with their dad John teaching them at Rainbow Bay.
Deaney was extraordinary, a surfing legend and perhaps Coolangatta’s greatest ever waterman, having represented Queensland in numerous national titles from 1966.
He won 10 national longboard titles in a row during the 1990s, a record that’s never been broken, and also won a world longboard title in 1990.
Deaney could surf all types of waves. He was a standout at Snapper Rocks, where he had been president of his beloved Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club, and was one of the best tuberiders at Kirra Point.
He was fearless, surfing cyclonic swells on the Tweed Bar and Snapper outer banks where, one time, he lost his board and had to swim outside the shark nets from Snapper to North Kirra to retrieve it.
During the Billabong Pro in 1998 he was the designated water security guy, sitting on his longboard in the line-up at Snapper Rocks when Kelly Slater paddled out. Slater’s Brazilian opponent, Peterson “The Animal” Rosa, miscued the timing of the heat and left Slater in the water by himself, so Slater suggested to Deane they have an unofficial man-on-man heat.
They swapped boards, with Deaney surfing Slater’s shortboard and Slater on the longboard. Deaney was ripping on the shortboard, but the American wasn’t used to the longboard and struggled. Deaney stole the show. Then “The Animal” turned up, flustered. Slater jumped on his shortboard and won the heat, the event and the world title.
Wayne Deane was a reserved, intelligent and gifted man, a master builder who made some of the best surfboards. A proud yet humble family man, he was Coolangatta surfing royalty with an intimate knowledge of surfing and the sea second to none. God bless you ol’ mate. My deepest condolences and commiserations to his wife Colleen, all the family members and friends.
RIP champion, you’re the best.