After the formation by Mal Sutherland of the Kirrasurfriders Club in the 1964 season Carol Charlton approached John Standing to take on the Presidency of Kirra Surf Club early in1965.
The club became very big with many surfers joining to compete in the Queensland and inter-club contest in particular young cadet surfers, the Gill Brothers and the Flaherty Brothers, I believe Peter Townend was an early member before joining Snapper, also John Ryland, Russell Hughes and Michael Peterson were all early members.
Surfing was an evolving sport and Kirra was a natural point attracting all the best surfers on the early surf safaris with the point always crowded on good days.
Before the groins, Kirra was a natural point break with open sets, waves capable of holding three Malibu's in stack formation.
With no leg-ropes, a long swim and paddle, dings were a major factor. Many inter-club contests with Currumbin, Snapper and Windansea were held at Kirra during these years with paddle races, greasy pole pillow fights and beach sprints.
Kirra won many pennants at these carnivals, which by now were hosted by the newly formed ASAQ.
Kirra club members, Brian Austin (President of ASAQ) and John Standing (Treasurer of ASAQ) and Gordon Phillipson formed the back bone of the fledging ASAQ during the late sixties prior to the advent of evolving Pro movement,running contest after contest, with the help of Brian Jenkins, Bill Bolman and many others.
Many of the pro surfers owe their early rise to fame to the amateur organizations formed in this era to promote the surfing way of life and the contest scene
Club Champions1965/1966 season:
Men's-John Standing
Women's-Carol Charlton
Juniors - Graeme Black
Cadets - The Gill Brothers
Joe Larkin was a great mentor for the Kirra Club.
Over the years Kirra Beach area has shrunk considerably and now cannot sustain the big crowds it once did. Perhaps with the removal of the groins and the current sand pumping system being put in place, Kirra could once more become a pristine point, capable of wave lines from outside the point to North Kirra Surf Club.
Our thanks to the 'Charlton's of Kirra'.
John Standing
Kirra President 1965/67
ASAQ Treasurer 1967-1974