Graham Black: Former profession surfer and 1969 state champion dead at age 77

This Gold Coast surfer wasn’t a household name but he leaves behind a legacy with the generations of professionals who followed in his footsteps. HIS INCREDIBLE STORY

Graham & Gail. Picture: Supplied

Surfer Graham Black wasn’t a household name but he leaves behind a legacy with the generations of professionals who followed in his footsteps.

The champion surfer, affectionately known as “Blackie”, died on May 5 at age 77.

The father and grandfather is survived by his wife Gail.

Friends are remembering Mr Black as “one of Australia’s best goofyfooters” who changed the sport while flying under the radar.

Close friend and Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve president Andrew McKinnon said Mr Black was a personal hero who had inspired not just his own surfing career, but that of other champions from the 1970s through to the present day.

Graham Black winning 1969 Qld State Open Mens Title at Snapper Rocks. Picture: Bongo Perrin.

“He was someone I looked up to, he was a hero for me especially for the way he surfed and we were able to surf together at Mermaid Beach after he moved there,” he said.

“He was a bit of an uncrowned hero and was very much under the radar and didn’t seek attention.

“He inspired a lot of the surfers who came after him, even the young crew of today and was way ahead of his time.”

Graham Cecil Black was born in March 1948 and became a professional surfer in the early 1960s, developing a specific style which is now commonly used by amateurs and professionals.

His stance was a goofy-footer who held his hands in the air with a wide space and used a backhand bottom turn.

At the 1965 Qld State titles in Coolangatta (LtR) Bob McTavish, Harry “Hacka” Allen, Graham Black, Phyliss O’Donnell, Carol Charlton, Peter Drouyn, Peter Lascelles Picture: Supplied by Mal Sutherland

During that era he was one of the early members of the Kirra Surfriders Club and later the Windansea Gold Coast club.

Close friend Billy Bob Kingston remembered Mr Black’s surfing as a “real art form”.

“He was the best goofy in Australia at the time, so stylish and his nose riding was a pleasure to watch,” he said.

His career peaked in 1969 with one of the big upsets of his era when Mr Black won the 1969 state title when he unexpectedly defeated defending champion Peter Drouyn at Snapper Rocks.

While he continued to surf, he also found another career in the 1970s as a professional surfboard glasser, working with a range of manufacturers including Larkins and Hot Stuff Surfboard, something he continued to do through into the 21st century.

Graham Black, Wayne Lynch & Andrew McKinnon in 2015. Picture: Supplied by Andrew McKinnon

During that time he helped make boards for champions including Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholemew.

“He was sought after as a glasser and kept going into the 2000s and while he could have done it blind-folded, he was such a meticulous worker,” Mr McKinnon said.”

“He was a big influence on the glassing industry and was considered one of the best.”

Mr McKinnon said Coolangatta was “so much richer for having Blackie as one of their favourite surfing sons”.

Gail and Graham Black on their wedding day in 1969. Picture: Supplied

“He was such a loveable legend and everyone loved Blackie,” he said.

“He was a selfless jovial character who loved to laugh and have a fun time with family and friends.

“Everybody loved Graham and he was a humble man who remained a bit of an underground figure but he was always a lot of fun to be around.”

Mr Black will be farewelled at a service held at Tweed Heads Crematorium on Thursday from 10am.