Established in Caloundra, Queensland in 1970
Our club is the Sunshine Coast chapter of the legendary WindanSea Surf Club. First founded in San Diego, California in 1962, WindanSea Surf Club is renowned for its elite membership – inviting only the best surfers – and prestigious dedication to excellence and sportsmanship.
Today, the club’s mission remains to inspire and attract young surfers while upholding the values of integrity and sportsmanship that have defined its legacy for over five decades.
The club boasts over 170 members, with a vibrant junior program that constitutes more than half of our membership. We actively promote inclusivity, with women and girls making up over 20% of our members. Our monthly surfing competitions and annual single fin competition are cornerstones of our activities, along with surf fitness and training programs designed to develop the next generation of champions.
OUR HISTORY
For over five decades, WindanSea Surf Club in Caloundra has enjoyed a storied history of competitive success and community engagement. Despite the decline of other WindanSea Surf Club branches in Australia and around the world, the Caloundra chapter has remained steadfast, continuously evolving and thriving. Our club in Caloundra now remains the only WindanSea Surf Club chapter outside the United States.
For a detailed archive on the WindanSea Surf Club’s history in Caloundra:
The original WindanSea Surf club was first founded in 1962 in San Diego, California. The club set out to be the best in the world and membership was initially by invitation only. An invite into the club was considered an extremely prestigious honour.
The Moffateers, established in 1966, was started to give surfers a healthy competitive environment so they could improve their skills.Windansea Boardriders treasurer Andy Geddes said the best Coast surfers
of the 1960s were a part of the Moffateers. The Moffateers disbanded in
1968.
Youtube Making Waves
In 1967, when Svenson headed up a venture to Sydney for an Australia vs. Windansea club contest, he did so with a Hollywood film crew in tow, a book deal in place, and a formal letter of introduction from California Governor Ronald Reagan.
“I shall personally appreciate,” Reagan wrote, “any courtesies extended to these fine Californians and ambassadors of goodwill.”
Windansea got soundly beaten in Sydney in that club contest. The Aussies were already onto the short surfboard, while the Windansea guys—like everybody else—were still riding tanks.
The Caloundra Boardriders Club was formed in 1969 and quickly grew to a significant membership by 1970.
! This late 70’s photo taken by Geoff Lawrence(RIP) was taken when we went up to the PA Bendall contest on the Sunshine Coast in the late 70’s. Absolute classic contest setup with the old tent. Heat draws written up on a old chalk board.
WindanSea Caloundra: Origins and Vision
WindanSea Caloundra was formed in 1970 by two local surfers, Bruce McKean and Greg Minert. That same year, Bruce McKean extended an invitation to the top surfers from the Caloundra Boardriders and other elite local talents to establish a North Coast branch of the original South Coast WindanSea Surf Club.
This new chapter of the club was built true to the original WindanSea vision—an invitation-only competitive surf club. Its focus was on:
•Developing emerging local surfing talent
•Contributing to the growth and evolution of the sport of surfing
WindanSea Caloundra proudly followed in the footsteps of pioneering groups such as the Moffateers and the Caloundra Boardriders Club.
! Windansea members Steve and Wayne Reid started Freefluid Surfboards.
! Nominees for Queensland Titles
! 1974-74 Club Membership List
! Kingsley “Knackers” Kernouske came from California and shaped boards far and wide under the infamous KKK label. He shaped at Freefluid and was shaping in the Rip Curl Factory in 74/75, Lightning Bolt Australia and in later years was one of the founders of Beach Beat.
! Richard Harvey is the first Pa and Ma Bendall Classic Champion
Pa and Ma Bendall Classic Begins It is the second longest running surfing event in Australia. It is second only to the Rip Curl Bells Easter Classic.
By this time the Gold Coast and Sydney WindanSea Clubs had largely faded and given way to other clubs, but the Caloundra Windansea Surf Club continues true to the initial vision created in California in 1962.
! “How’s this, WindanSea Open final , no date on it, but the rest of the sheets say 1993/4, Russell Miller “Twigsy”, Joel Parkinson, “Silky” Ben Silk, and” Scardy” David Scard.
“How’s this WindanSea Open final , no date on it, but the rest of the sheets say 1993/4, Russell Miller “Twigsy”, Joel Parkinson, “Silky” Ben Silk, and” Scardy” David Scard. There you go boys, Joel was 12 or 13 and in the Open final, WindanSea made everyone surf against all ages, I remember when I started beating the older blokes my surfing really picked up, confidence flowed after beating people you had been admiring for years. Made you surf beyond your years. Windansea won the Queensland inter club cup from 1974 to 1983, a record 9 times in a row. ” Gary O’Donnell
Computerized judging system introduced into WindanSea.
! Joel Parkinson holds the WSL World Championship Trophy aloft in Hawaii
In 2012 Joel Parkinson, former WindanSea Surf Club member, finally nabbed the title he so deserved, edging 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater to get it done.
! Eli Steele competing in a heat of the Coast of Origin Series.
WindanSea wins Coast of Origin Series
! Terry Landsberg represents Australia at ISA World Titles in Ecuador.
After being crowned national over-45 champion at Port Macquarie last week, Terry Landsberg (WindanSea President) has the chance to represent Australia at the ISA World Masters in Montanitas, Ecuador, next year.
! Two of our members travelled to W.A last month to compete in the Taj small fries comp held at Yallingup, with Reef Heazlewood winning the u/16 and Luke Glover 3rd u/14, Great results boys!
! Laura Poncini
Laura Poncini travelled to Ecuador in April for the ISA World Titles. She gained a third placing.
Windansea have a stall at the Australian Surf Expo at the Gold Coast Convention centre this month 14, 15. and 16th Feb. As one of only two clubs invited it’s a great opportunity to promote the club and the Pa and Ma Bendall Contest to the wider surf community.
Masters & Womens round one of the state titles were held at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. In solid 3-4ft waves we had Clive Sinton taking out the 0/50 div Kristian Kearney making the semis in the 0/40 div and Terry Landsberg getting the nod in the 0/45. Laura Poncini won the u/16 and Zahli Kelly made the finals as well.
The Clash of the Groms at Mudjimba with Reef Hazealwood winning the u/16 Noah Kearney 2nd and Tom Prout 3rd. Nic Doran won the Air Comp,
! Windansea Surf Club concept drawing.
Establishing a Clubhouse Presentation by Tim Hindley, Brad Williams & Rich Graves on how the project with our Clubhouse is going, As all the members realize now that this is a long drawn out process with a lot of hurdles along the way, but these guys know there stuff and hopefully we can show Council the benefits of this facility to our local Surf Community. The time that has been donated by these guys so far is greatly appreciated by all of us at Windansea.
! Get involved in Disabled Surfing (DSA)
Windansea get involved with Disabled Surfing
Moffateers 50 year reunion.
! Wayne Stevens 1st Queensland Surf Festival
Queensland Surf Festival Wayne Stevens taking out 1st place at the Queensland Surfing Festival in the over 60. Terry Landsberg 2nd place in both over 50 and over 55, and Cam MacDougall 4th in a very tight Open Men’s Final.
! Club members celebrating the win in the Planning Court. The building of the Windansea Community Clubhouse can begin.
WindanSea wins appeal in the Planninng Court over the building of the WindanSea Surf Club Community Clubhouse in Buderim Street.
! Club members celebrating the win in the Planning Court. The building of the Windansea Community Clubhouse can begin.
WindanSea wins appeal in the Planninng Court over the building of the WindanSea Surf Club Community Clubhouse in Buderim Street.
WindanSea Community Clubhouse Opened
Pa and Ma Bendall Classic celebrates 50 years. It is the second longest running surfing event in Australia. It is second only to the Rip Curl Bells Easter Classic.
1962
The original WindanSea Surf club was first founded in 1962 in San Diego, California. The club set out to be the best in the world and membership was initially by invitation only. An invite into the club was considered an extremely prestigious honour.
1966
The Moffateers, established in 1966, was started to give surfers a
healthy competitive environment so they could improve their skills.
Windansea Boardriders treasurer Andy Geddes said the best Coast surfers
of the 1960s were a part of the Moffateers.
The Moffateers disbanded in
1968.
Youtube Making Waves
1967
In 1967, when Svenson headed up a venture to Sydney for an Australia vs. Windansea club contest, he did so with a Hollywood film crew in tow, a book deal in place, and a formal letter of introduction from California Governor Ronald Reagan.
“I shall personally appreciate,” Reagan wrote, “any courtesies extended to these fine Californians and ambassadors of goodwill.”
Windansea got soundly beaten in Sydney in that club contest. The Aussies were already onto the short surfboard, while the Windansea guys—like everybody else—were still riding tanks.
1969
The Caloundra Boardriders Club was formed in 1969 and quickly grew to a significant membership by 1970.
1970
WindanSea Caloundra: Origins and Vision
WindanSea Caloundra was formed in 1970 by two local surfers, Bruce McKean and Greg Minert. That same year, Bruce McKean extended an invitation to the top surfers from the Caloundra Boardriders and other elite local talents to establish a North Coast branch of the original South Coast WindanSea Surf Club.
This new chapter of the club was built true to the original WindanSea vision—an invitation-only competitive surf club. Its focus was on:
•Developing emerging local surfing talent
•Contributing to the growth and evolution of the sport of surfing
WindanSea Caloundra proudly followed in the footsteps of pioneering groups such as the Moffateers and the Caloundra Boardriders Club.
1973
1974
1974
1974
1974
Pa and Ma Bendall Classic Begins It is the second longest running surfing event in Australia. It is second only to the Rip Curl Bells Easter Classic.
1975
By this time the Gold Coast and Sydney WindanSea Clubs had largely faded and given way to other clubs, but the Caloundra Windansea Surf Club continues true to the initial vision created in California in 1962.
1993-94
“How’s this WindanSea Open final , no date on it, but the rest of the sheets say 1993/4, Russell Miller “Twigsy”, Joel Parkinson, “Silky” Ben Silk, and” Scardy” David Scard. There you go boys, Joel was 12 or 13 and in the Open final, WindanSea made everyone surf against all ages, I remember when I started beating the older blokes my surfing really picked up, confidence flowed after beating people you had been admiring for years. Made you surf beyond your years. Windansea won the Queensland inter club cup from 1974 to 1983, a record 9 times in a row. ” Gary O’Donnell
2012
Computerized judging system introduced into WindanSea.
2012
In 2012 Joel Parkinson, former WindanSea Surf Club member, finally nabbed the title he so deserved, edging 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater to get it done.
2012
WindanSea wins Coast of Origin Series
2012
After being crowned national over-45 champion at Port Macquarie last week, Terry Landsberg (WindanSea President) has the chance to represent Australia at the ISA World Masters in Montanitas, Ecuador, next year.
2014
Two of our members travelled to W.A last month to compete in the Taj small fries comp held at Yallingup, with Reef Heazlewood winning the u/16 and Luke Glover 3rd u/14, Great results boys!
2014
Laura Poncini travelled to Ecuador in April for the ISA World Titles. She gained a third placing.
2014
Windansea have a stall at the Australian Surf Expo at the Gold Coast Convention centre this month 14, 15. and 16th Feb. As one of only two clubs invited it’s a great opportunity to promote the club and the Pa and Ma Bendall Contest to the wider surf community.
2014
Masters & Womens round one of the state titles were held at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. In solid 3-4ft waves we had Clive Sinton taking out the 0/50 div Kristian Kearney making the semis in the 0/40 div and Terry Landsberg getting the nod in the 0/45. Laura Poncini won the u/16 and Zahli Kelly made the finals as well.
2014
The Clash of the Groms at Mudjimba with Reef Hazealwood winning the u/16 Noah Kearney 2nd and Tom Prout 3rd. Nic Doran won the Air Comp,
2014
Establishing a Clubhouse Presentation by Tim Hindley, Brad Williams & Rich Graves on how the project with our Clubhouse is going, As all the members realize now that this is a long drawn out process with a lot of hurdles along the way, but these guys know there stuff and hopefully we can show Council the benefits of this facility to our local Surf Community. The time that has been donated by these guys so far is greatly appreciated by all of us at Windansea.
2014
Windansea get involved with Disabled Surfing
2015
Moffateers 50 year reunion.
2021
Queensland Surf Festival Wayne Stevens taking out 1st place at the Queensland Surfing Festival in the over 60. Terry Landsberg 2nd place in both over 50 and over 55, and Cam MacDougall 4th in a very tight Open Men’s Final.
2021
WindanSea wins appeal in the Planninng Court over the building of the WindanSea Surf Club Community Clubhouse in Buderim Street.
2022
WindanSea members begin the building of the Community Clubhouse
2023
WindanSea Community Clubhouse Opened
2024
Pa and Ma Bendall Classic celebrates 50 years. It is the second longest running surfing event in Australia. It is second only to the Rip Curl Bells Easter Classic.
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | WindanSea Surf Club
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Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | WindanSea Surf Club
Website designed and maintained by JC Digital
Privacy policy and terms and conditions.