The first Rip Curl Professional event back in 1973 paved the way for professional surfing in Australia.
The
cash prizes may have been small, but by the following year, surfers
from all around the world were coming to compete in the event.
Here is a selection of the original posters used to advertise the
Annual Easter Surfing competition from 1973 - 1982.
Rip Curl Pro
27th March - 7th April 2013
Bells Beach Victoria Australia
Poster images from Flickr used with permission by Rip Curl.
Two designs for 1974.
1977
(Not essentially a poster - but the only image provided for 1978.
Looks like it may be a scan of a t shirt from the 1978 event).
(The Rip Curl logo from 1978 & 79 is my favourite.)
Oh those fonts! Amazing how a font can conjure up such a strong sense of the times.
ReplyDeleteSo true! The fonts really give you a strong sense of the year and era. : )
DeleteHow did they get away with the 'sisters' in 82? .....cheeky!
ReplyDeleteHa - yes, I noticed that too! The 82 poster had a real Ken Done kinda vibe to me.
DeleteI just love these Donna. 1973 is my fave. Coincidentaly I received a parcel yesterday with the coolest surfing stamps on it, I will email a pic x
ReplyDeleteI like 73 too. Yes! I've seen those surfing stamps. Aren't they great?! I love the aqua and green swirl one, and the orange one with the panel van.
DeleteHey Donna! How did you wander across these posters??? I grew up in Southern California in retro times and surf posters bring back memories for sure. I hung around with some of those folk in my high school years. Rip Curl was (is) a big name. I like the green one. :)
ReplyDeleteHowdy Rebecca! I love to scout out a poster online! The 76 Green one is great - this is the one when I noticed the font becoming more softened in contrast to 75 which reminds me of a Wanted ad from the Wild West. : )
DeleteSuch cool graphics! You come up with the most interesting things!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dana! x : )
Delete"From little things big things grow!" How cool to see how the competition expanded over the years. I see mordy surf shop sponsored the 1977 one, we fequented there a bit in our teens! (the kind of teens that wore surf clothes....but never surfed! LOL) Thats my fav one, love the blue, love the sketched wave. Will have to share this with Josie, she's just been bitten by the surfing bug. Thanks, so interesting!
ReplyDeleteAhhh the Mordy surf shop! Memories of Kuta Lines jumpers.
DeleteJust looked up Urban Dictionary of a Skeg...
A person who wears surf cloths and is into surfing or pretends to be into surfing.
In the 80s when I was in school people who say " are you a skeg or a headbanger"
or "he's looks like a skeg"
LOL - I believe Bogan, Skater and Mod were our other options along with Skeg and Headbanger.
Posters - The 77 one is fantastic - I love the sketched wave too.
x :)
Love the Bells beach one from 1977, the first poster would look great on no2 son's wall.You've given me an idea for his room, thanks for posting Donna.
ReplyDeleteHi Simmone! How great! 77 is awesome. You are so right - it would look great on a wall. Glad to be of some help! Hope all well up your way. x : )
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