Hangin’ with Hemsy: Pro surfer turned bookie riding the Hollywood wave with BFF

Meet the Gold Coast pro surfer turned bookie living the high life in exotic locations across the globe with Australia’s most famous family. SEE THE PHOTOS

• Watch: THAT workout video

He’s the former Gold Coast pro surfer turned bookie who has become one of Chris Hemsworth’s best mates and travelling buddies.

Luke Munro and his family are regularly pictured in social media posts holidaying with the Hemsworth clan in exotic locales, including a recent trip to the exclusive Yellowstone Club ski resort in Montana with another of Hemsy’s besties, fellow Hollywood star Matt Damon.

Luke and April Munro holidaying at Yellowstone Club Montana with Matt Damon, Luciana Barroso, Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth this month. Source: Instagram.

Currumbin’s Munro and Byron Bay-based Hemsworth have been friends for close to two decades, since the days when the now 40-year-old Gold Coaster was competing on the world surfing tour.

Chris Hemsworth, Luke Munro and Matt Damon in Montana this month. Source: Instagram.

Hemsworth, also 40, is a keen and talented surfer and the pair often hit the waves together in Australia and overseas.

Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth, April Munro and Luke Munro holidaying at Tavarua, December 2023. Source: Instagram.

He and Munro and their families travelled to Abu Dhabi late last year to surf a new wave pool, designed by 11-time world champion Kelly Slater with whom both are friends.

Chris Hemsworth and Luke Munro in Abu-Dhabi, December 2023. Source: Instagram

In a 2016 interview, Munro joked that Hemsworth was “a pest”.

“We met through a friend when I was on the pro junior circuit about 12 or 13 years ago,” he said, shortly after holidaying with Hemsworth and his family in Uluru, the Kimberley and Hayman Island.

April Munro and Elsa Pataky holidaying in New York in 2017. Source: Instagram.

Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, April Munro and Luke Munro in Montana. Source: Instagram.

“Every time I’d go to LA for an event, I’d stop in and visit. He’s a champion bloke. Our kids are the same age.”

April Munro and Elsa Pataky on Derby Day in 2023. Source: Instagram

Elsa Pataky and April Munro together on a ski holiday. Source: Instagram.

Hemsworth, together with wife Elsa Pataky and their children India, Sasha and Tristan, often hang out with Munro, his wife April and their kids Scout and Marlin.

April Munro, Elsa Pataky, Luke Munro and Chris Hemsworth at Courchevel, France in January 2023. Source: Instagram

The two families made a dash to Rainbow Beach together soon after the Queensland border reopened briefly amid the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Luke Munro (centre) with Liam Hemsworth and Chris Hemsworth at Tavarua Island. Source: Instagram

Luke and April also boarded a private jet to celebrate Hemsworth’s 34th birthday on exclusive Orpheus Island in 2017.

Luke Munro with Chris Hemsworth in Fiji October 2023. Source: Instagram.

Hemsworth and brother Luke were among those who attended an emotional service for Munro’s late father John in 2020 as the Currumbin Vikings Surf Club christened a surf boat in his honour.

John was a respected Gold Coast businessman and former Vikings president who died of brain cancer in 2018.

Luke Munro became a sports bookmaker after retiring from the world championship tour in 2010 and also worked as a surf reporter for Channel 7.

Originally published as Hangin’ with Hemsy: Pro surfer turned bookie riding the Hollywood wave with BFF