The Undisputed King of Kirra

MP chats to Andy Mckinnon three years before his passing about what it was like at Kirra in the '70s and '80s. Dick Hoole does an amazing job on this mini-documentary.

[@badgers_adventures8983]

I know this sounds freaky. But, about 2 years after his passing. I was about 58 years old surfing with a mate and couple of kids out there at Kirra. Everyone must have been out a Snapper. Kirra was 5 feet a peeling down the line. So strange and we all heard a whistle as an absolutely beautiful wave came through. The kids were paddling for the wave and froze. My mate said 'Was that a whistle, who's whistling ?' I replied, 'MP is on that one." Even the kids came over to talk about the whistle they heard. And, we told them about MP.

[@antonyblair4047]

I am a Kirra boy from the late 70's and early 80's, I got goose bumps reading your story, I have felt the legend Billy Rack at Greenmount. So I believe your story. Why not it is were he felt most at home.

[@badgers_adventures8983]

@@antonyblair4047 yeah Billy Rack used to call me in some big waves at greenmount. He used to give hand signals. Man it brings tears to eyes just thinking about that. Thanks Billy you're a legend. RIP mate.

[@antonyblair4047]

@@badgers_adventures8983 yeh billy was cool, I lived with one of his sons for a while, Brad. Brad told me of how MP lived with Billy in Kirra in the early 70's I think and how MP, paddled every morning from Kirra to Dbar for his morning training I suppose, then came home and ate 8 wheat bix for breakfast lol, your right bro, they were magical days, just like the people, I loved Billy and yes may he RIP PS he used to let me have a pick of his hire boards, as I did not have one, legend

[@lorenzo6mm]

I'm a Yank and knew about MP, Michael Peterson from my surfing California days in the 1970's. If you thought Mickey Dora was a phantom legend of the 1960's? Michael Peterson was the Holy Grail of legends in the 1970's. We knew he was the one all the Bronzed Aussies talked about and wondered where and when he would reappear. Guys like Terry Fitzgerald, Peter Townsend, Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew and Mark Richards. Shaun Thompson completed these amazing surfers from the 1970's. It was the beginning of the Big Money Pro Surfing Era. And, Michael Peterson was the first Big Star of that Era and he would never be seen again at his personal or professional best. Those we're the Days we thought would never end. RIP Michael Peterson.

[@martinjackson558]

not sure if you guys cares but if you're bored like me atm then you can watch pretty much all of the new movies and series on InstaFlixxer. I've been watching with my gf for the last few weeks :)

[@noahwilder6874]

@Martin Jackson Yup, been using instaflixxer for since november myself :)

[@stephenfox4278]

An amazing soul surfer that was in sync with the ocean . Stylemaster...RIP MP...

[@alexmoskowitz4025]

"Every wave was a barrel I got" Great quote!

[@troystevens3010]

Its a racist quote. Why dont black people get barreled too. Its pure racism

[@dennisthemenace57]

Yeah exactly what I noticed, made me smile eh

[@John_1_0]

We'd hit the southern points in the 70's when it was closing out on our northern beaches and rumours would go around that MP was out there somewhere, be it Burleigh, Kirra or Snapper, and it was like an electrified atmosphere, sacred at the same time because he was so legendary and enigmatic. He didn't even have to actually be there!

[@jamespardue3055]

Looking back at this footage, you realize he really was ahead of his time with technique. Damn he was good.

[@daviddefigueiredo6018]

Check out the movie " In Natural Flow" personally speaking his style was at a peak and with modern lines, good flow with power!

[@stevehix1656]

Such a smooth old school style. RIP

[@saltydog3099]

Epic stuff Dick.... and good onya Andy for interviewing him...... RIP legend.... so stoked to have ahd a good convo with him b4 he passed......

[@davidcochrane2739]

I wish there was more film of MP surfing in Hawaii. I've only seen one wave which was at huge Sunset - amazing, screaming down the Boneyards side of the West Peak slams a massive 4G bottom turn & slots into one those crazy stand up deep ocean Sunset tubes & of course makes out into the channel! Even taking into account today's standard of surfing just incredible!

[@daviddefigueiredo6018]

I know the footage you are talking about, huge drop!! That bottom turn! I have the video!

[@daviddefigueiredo6018]

There's another wave in the same video, front on vision, MP, high up in the barrel at Sunset!!

[@mick2881]

Thanks KZbin for this.

[@NoNameneeded1984]

The only bloke I saw Michael talk to (and deeply respect) in the water was Greg Kerr, Josh's dad. I sat on the first groyne and watched them doing fin first takeoffs in perfect 6 ft Kirra. They pushed each other deeper. Greg won spinning his board under his feet in a weightless takeoff, hard bottom turn and into the barrell. Michael just shook his head....

[@jamestopham7744]

My late uncle shaped a board in 68 and mp loved it so much he swaped his board for it

[@KevinHallSurfing]

Haha funniest thing I ever saw was with Kerby and MP, we were having dinner at Byron with a bunch of JW's. MP just stared at them non stop and never said a word. 😎😂

[@NoNameneeded1984]

@@KevinHallSurfing HAHA yes Greg was a brilliant surfer but a poor choice of beliefs.

[@recoilgamers7182]

Sad story about a legend, from the luckiest and most innovative generation in human history

[@barrycouda8481]

Wooow, ...great footage of the " legend of Kirra " .....MP !!

[@henrymorgan3982]

Glory days. When the world was a different place.

[@smalltowninnewmexico]

my Dad will bloody love this......... thanks mySURF tv yewwwww

[@jaycee571]

Ahead of his time as a shaper, those single fins were so fast and manoeuvrable (for Michael) Ahead of his time as a surfer, you can see he is drawing a lot of thruster lines but the board is just a little slow to react. Him and Wayne Lynch are my favourite surfers from that era.

[@fernandomaron87]

Wayne was also pulling off some modern stuff during the 70s, especially his backhand surfing.

[@davidhunter9282]

LEGEND that's MP Enjoy your next adventure brother. Until we meet again m8🤙🏽 Love and Light to all of you ❤

[@rimawihone]

Thank you guys - someone who knows what its like both in the water and out!

[@Joe-pc1ju]

thanku MP

[@Sidetrackification]

Excellent, thanks for posting this! It helps 😊

[@joedirt8625]

The "Dark Night"....... Legend.

[@muzza6836]

MP ................wow what a legend , I have a photo of him with some other famous surfers of the time PT and Larry Bertlemann Rabbit AndyMcKinnon with their autographs . Hey that’s my superannuation!

[@paddington3028]

One of the regrets in my life was not being able to be blessed to watch MP the legend surf.

[@BarbarraBay]

love this wave, board & the deep tracks 0:51 1:13 and this cutback 3:43 is so sick

[@eamonsherry2185]

yeah that carve was great

[@jontattersall1837]

one of the most stylish surfers around, no B.S. .... M.P. most respect to You 🌠

[@thriveman]

Love it.... ........

[@sushimamba4281]

Rest in peace... Michael Peterson

[@WhiteNacho]

A huge influence on my surfing especially when he was riding hulls.

[@pubgutt2076]

I first surfed in 1974 on a Mark Warren 7/2 pintail single fin, I was eight years old. Where I grew up surfing on the Mornington Peninsula it was never really croward, occasionally one or two spots over the holidays. Between my years 8 to 15, about 20 of our local board riders the Reefers, OD on heroin, I never went near it. Apart from those confusing sad time's, I miss the surfing in the 70s, 80s, 90s. The world & people had a vibe of freedom about it & them, or maybe it was just me dreaming through time & space on my MW 7/2 pintail single fin 🏄‍♂️

[@superdad942]

so rad. legend

[@hughmckendrick3018]

Class!

[@creature_of_the_undergroun261]

Yes.

[@Bearthorn]

China and I wagged school from PBHS around 1985 and had Kira to ourselves for a few hours. Well a few guys out there, it it was 4-6 foot and just awesome.. Word got out and than there was .. what 100 guys?! Everyone quit work, quit school, as usual and grabbed their boards and joined us!

[@anarchistangler]

China at Greenmount. Still the best surfing I have ever seen.

[@robertnolan502]

My all time favorite surfer, would he be the same surfer if he was a so called "normal person" maybe, maybe not, wish there was more footage of his surfing

[@coryholland1811]

Great vid. Check out his boards. Narrow and tin for the day. Really low rocker. Fast and sensitive (for a single fin particularly).

[@KevinHallSurfing]

They were. Surprisingly fast yet maneuverable. Luckily he shaped me two (in '72 and '74) and they just held in. Magic boards, incredible shaper.

[@Joe-pc1ju]

when i was a grom he was the MAN!!!!!!

[@Babaji77777]

I rekin in the barrell MP found peace.

[@cowboygypsey]

Those were the days.

[@sharongoodsell9341]

As a local , watched these guys from my balcony little white house on Musgrave st , Michael had the love of the drug like a lot of us , the poem about heroin says , till death do us part , I'm sure he wishes he won that battle, rip mp

[@sandhopper599]

Gifted bloke for real.

[@PaulOReilly712]

Curren ,slater, MP, the gretest ones ever in surfing ! Brad Gerlach underrated much :D

[@maxloughlin9971]

And Tom Carrol

[@PaulOReilly712]

@@maxloughlin9971 check Tom Carrol in the surf Movie "All down the Line" last 15 minutes with Dennis Nattrass music in the background of this segment,Tom at his absolute best, at cranking Gradjagan at 12 to 15 feet, Timeless Tom if you didn't see already ?

[@maxloughlin9971]

@@PaulOReilly712 and the pipe masters that late take off and snap into the barrel

[@PaulOReilly712]

@@maxloughlin9971 yep that was an epic moment in all of surfing history

[@morgomorgaf306]

best natural footer single fin surfer ever imho

[@aaronraines3375]

Bring this back to wsl surfer's

[@peterdrouynsurfing]

Sorry Dick but Kirra has had several Kings at different times from 1964 to 2004. Michael's period was certainly exceptional. I never saw you at Kirra around that 1974/1975 period or any other time except at Burleigh Point on one or two occasions. I just want it to be fair to other greats over the longer haul. Each had their own exceptional method at Kirra.

[@petersmith2116]

I was at Tommy’s 21st I’m sure I met him that night but who can say

[@sbnqy]

Is the famous picture of him hiding still painted on the wall of Burleigh lifesavers? Hope so ! it’s been over 10 years since Iv seen it in person

[@valeriejohnson2770]

Yes!

[@Alex_Correa]

Ok... I love Kelly! BUT... The very best surfer this world ever had, considering all aspects and specially innovation, was Michael Peterson! This content took my breath away, so much I love Michael! My dream is to have one his boards! By the way I still surf only with 70's single fins! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!

[@hugocarneiro940]

😍😍😍😍💪💪🔝🔝👏👏👏👏

[@mitseraffej5812]

I doubt if the groms of today think that they to will get old. No kid ever does.

[@hokuinsai4299]

MP

[@davidgancho2914]

Song?

[@silverspaceflyer]

MP was great but Wayne Deane was the real King of Kirra.

[@francus7227]

No leash....

[@cisco6926]

If every wave was a barrel, why show so few barrels? Lots of turns on crap equipment basically. MP is legendary. This is not a testament of that legend.

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

Thats a very very unfortunate name.

[@stevenhusmann3816]

goodsurfers are a dime a dozen, today MP would just be another clod in the line up. the real star is the wave itself.

[@sbnqy]

No it’s the pioneers who show people how to surf the wave! The wave will break regardless but it’s a surfer who shows you what to do with it......

[@jimjammy1788]

Moronic comments for attention are a dime a dozen. There's the legends that stand out for a reason. Duke, Midget, Nat Young, Clyde, Tom Curren, Occy, Andy, Parko, Kelly, JJ to name a few.. Show some respect..

[@surfingwithsam7990]

You’re either trying to stir people up in the comments or you’re a muppet that doesn’t know shit. Send us a link of your surfing prowess champ

[@lorenzo6mm]

you are the definition of a drongo, mate

[@sbnqy]

@@lorenzo6mm drongo 😂 love that 🤙

[@scottharden1827]

No leash!!!! Pure

[@boonnathan]

Aussie Legend