This episode is presented by Rainbow® Sandals
Born in 1953 and raised on the Gold Coast of Australia, Peter Townend, aka PT, started surfing in 1967, the spiraling barrels of Snapper Rocks, Kirra, and Burleigh Heads right in his backyard.
He rose up the ranks, placed highly in a string of Australian National Titles, and joined what was then a series of disparate pro contests around the world.
In 1976, the IPS was formed, the world tour was announced, and on retroactive points combined with the final Hawaii leg, PT became pro surfing’s first world champion. That same year, he and fellow pro Ian Cairns founded the Bronzed Aussies—a group-slash-team aimed at promoting surfing as a serious sport along the lines of Formula One or tennis. PT was flamboyant, charismatic, and a believer in the pro surfing dream. He played a key role in what we now know of as the “Bustin’ Down the Door” era.
In 1977, PT took a break from the pro tour to be the stunt double for the Jack Barlow character in Big Wednesday, directed by John Milius.
In 1979, he moved to Southern California and spent four years as executive director and National Team coach for the NSSA, working with Tom Curren, Brad Gerlach, Mike Parsons, and Mike Lambresi, among many other rising American surfers of the early ’80s. He worked in advertising, editorial, and publishing for Surfing magazine. He worked as global brand manager for Rusty. He was a host for the cable TV show Wave Watch, and a commentator for Prime Network and ESPN. He was the first appointed National Coach for the Chinese National Surfing Team.
That’s all to say PT has poured his life into surfing. He’s presently the Executive Director of the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum.
In this episode of Soundings, Townend talks with Jamie Brisick about auditioning for Big Wednesday, winning the world title, growing up at a pointbreak, Midget Farrelly, and living by his mother’s words.
Produced by Jonathan Shifflett.
Music by PazKa (Aska Matsumiya & Paz Lenchantin).
Feature image by Dan Merkel.
