SURF CITY

Since our returned WWII vets first took to the ocean on their 10ft ‘toothpick’ surfboards, Sydney’s beaches have teemed with eager riders, searching for the ever elusive perfect wave. The soon-to-be national pastime grew rapidly from the pioneers of the 40s and 50s; from the introduction of the fibreglass malibus in the late 50s, the clash of surfers and rockers in the 60s, and the dreamy ‘soul surfers’ of the 70s to the advent of Simon Anderson’s three-finned ‘thruster’ and competitive surfing in the 80s, Australia has long been one of the world’s most surf-crazy nations. Surf City: Getting Radical in the 50s, 60s & 70s, which opened last week at the Museum of Sydney, explores the long, rich history of board riding in Sydney. Featuring some incredible historical examples of the boards, music, movies, clothes and other ephemera, it gives a good account of the cultural implications of the surf-mania that still grips our coast. Although surfing is by no means a subject in need of additional coverage, the exhibit does have its charms – the recreated Hot Buttered boards of the 70s are fantastically trippy, the accompanying doco has some nice insights to offer, some of the photos are amazing, and there’s certainly more than enough for the kids to enjoy in their holidays.

Until Mar 17, Museum of Sydney, cnr Bridge & Phillip St, Sydney, $5-20, 9251 5988, hht.net.au/museums/mos