Not that funny, but really happened.

Around 1987, me was sailing on a slow winter mid-week arvo at Dolls Pt. I was probably skipping school. Only a few guys out.

This black Mercedes pulls in the parking lot (where McMoreland's pub used to be), a most luxurious-looking set of wheels compared to the Nissan I was driving then. But funny thing was: it had what seemed to be a cheap set of BBC roofrack on top.

Now me thinking: what the hell, who in their right mind would do that. (as well as: will Mrs. Wilson realise I'm not in class).

So the driver comes out of the car, one scruffy-looking dude. Bare foot (I'm not kidding), and a bad pair of jeans. So I think: wow, this guy goes with the rack, but not the car. He sits on the cheap benches at the beach there, legs apart, staring out.

I get a bit closer to have a look, and lo and behold, that was Mark Knofler. Mate went talk to him, it happened that D.Straits was giving a show in town, and one of the guys on the band was a windsurfer. He was just there to pick him up. I guess they could afford the repair from the cheap rack on the rental.

He didn't ask for my autograph either...

Yep one of the guy's windsurfed. Drummer or keyboard player, can't remember. Dave Williamson who was working with AMAC at WildWinds at the time somehow got him a Wildwinds T shirt and he wore it on stage at the Oz concerts.

About 1987/88 walking my windsurfing gear to the MiddlePark windsurfing beach, see this guy sitting in a car with a 6 pack on his lap, not drinking, all these other unusal people standing around, cars parked in spots never parked before, then chaos broke out, guy with 6 pack jumps out of car and starts running gun in holster, all these other Dudes standing around start running Guns drawn, guyz jump out of the Vans and running, "Fck whats going on here I thought?' and they converged to where a couple of guyz i hear "Police Police!!", Big drug bust in middle park, guyz on ground handcuffs, sirens wailing, Got the adrenalin pumpin I tell ya.....

Bender said...

hardie said...

About 1987/88 walking my windsurfing gear to the MiddlePark windsurfing beach, see this guy sitting in a car with a 6 pack on his lap, not drinking, all these other unusal people standing around, cars parked in spots never parked before, then chaos broke out, guy with 6 pack jumps out of car and starts running gun in holster, all these other Dudes standing around start running Guns drawn, guyz jump out of the Vans and running, "Fck whats going on here I thought?' and they converged to where a couple of guyz i hear "Police Police!!", Big drug bust in middle park, guyz on ground handcuffs, sirens wailing, Got the adrenalin pumpin I tell ya.....

jesus hardie what colour were ur jocks after that
I bet ur wetsuit needed a wash

Brown

Guy Fletcher (keyboards) was the windsurfer in Dire Straits.

Neil Scheltema (wind tech) knew him and scored some free tix and afterparty entry to the final concert in Perth when he toured with Bryan Ferry in 1995. Dan Engdahl and I went along. I recall being pretty wide eyed at the after party (I was pretty naive as a 20 year old, not yet accustomed to hanging out with coked-up celebrities) but Guy was completely friendly and up for a chat. Later when we left, he called Dan and myself by name. How many superstars would do that for a couple of daggy young slalom racers awkwardly trying to fit into a showbiz wild night? Top bloke!

Another one.

Still at B-bay, still on a mid-week day.
I arrive at the beach and only a couple of guys. One I'd never seen before, he was doing some pretty rad longboard freestyle too - fancy railrides. Doing it right on the beach, trying to get some chick's attention. Was wearing pink shoes, and white sunblocking cream over the lips (really), just like cricket players then. I'm pretty sure I could count the comb strokes in his hair.

I get closer, and sure enough, 'twas one Greg Matthews, which at the time was on the Test team. Shows my age, but I was young then. Still, he looked pretty gnarly on his board doing tricks.

Since not too many people could do rails - then and now, I rigged as quick as could. Right then and there, I am on the water with him. I could do some pretty good freestyle too at the time, so started doing my wares. Problem is that mine was better, it seems I was killing his sales pitch. He didn't seem to be too happy, started mumbling something. It didn't sound like an invitation to kiss his sister. Then he packed up and left in a hurry.

His confidence on the pitch and Test career dwindled about at the same time, coincidence no doubt.

Back in the late 1980's I was windsurfing at Rodd Point, which is a smallish bay off the Parramatta River in inner west Sydney, when this nice BMW 5 series sedan pulls up with roof racks and a short board strapped on top.

Out gets this long haired, good looking dude with a spunky blonde chick in tow. H rigs up, goes out and sails really well.

The boys say "Hey, he looks familiar". I say "Yeah". So I go over and have a chat with him while he's having a break. Turns out to be Iva Davies from "Icehouse". Chat about windsurfing in Australia, as he is a keen sailboarder and usually had a sail when he could while on tour across Oz.

A good bloke, unassuming as well. He lived at Lillyfield at the time which was about 5-10 minutes away.

wbailey said...

turns out to be Iva Davies

No way, Iva Davies windsurfs??

Perhaps he comes to Sandringham and we can get together (bad pun).

hardie said...

About 1987/88 walking my windsurfing gear to the MiddlePark windsurfing beach, see this guy sitting in a car with a 6 pack on his lap, not drinking, all these other unusal people standing around, cars parked in spots never parked before, then chaos broke out, guy with 6 pack jumps out of car and starts running gun in holster, all these other Dudes standing around start running Guns drawn, guyz jump out of the Vans and running, "Fck whats going on here I thought?' and they converged to where a couple of guyz i hear "Police Police!!", Big drug bust in middle park, guyz on ground handcuffs, sirens wailing, Got the adrenalin pumpin I tell ya.....

So what did they pin on you Hards?

Had known Mark Angulo quite well from the Sony contests at Longy back in the late 80's. I was on Maui with a mate sailing at Sprecks one day and Mark sailed out. we chatted etc. He then asked us to come around to his place in Haiku for beers and dinner that afternoon/night.
So we rocked up with cold beers and he and a few other guys were playing crocquet in their backyard. Got introduced to Matt Schweitzer and a few other windsurfing legends then out walks............... Laird Hamilton.
Really nice guy, bloody huge but a killer to play Crocquet with. They ended up cooking us a BBQ and hung out. Nowhere as famous as these days but it was way cool back then.

Plus Robby Naish's infamous quote when he was out here for the Mistral worlds in early 90's. had been taken for a ride in a 18 foot skiff and when asked how was it piped up with, "lot of work to go slow"

Krisiz1 said...

I have had a windsurfing celebrity moment too!
Only about a month ago I was sailing alone at Australind and a pimped up white 4wd ute cruised up. And out jumped Bender!

Very funny mate. Glad you like the new wheels(even if its is a company car).

Lets hope tomorrow the local fires up