Surfing Legend Kevin Merifield, 87, Rides Final Wave After Seven Decades

After an extraordinary seven decades spent riding the waves, Western Australian surfing pioneer Kevin Merifield has officially hung up his surfboard at the age of 87. Merifield was instrumental in shaping the South West of Western Australia into the premier surf destination it is today, a far cry from the "shark-infested" waters locals once warned him about.

A Pioneer’s Journey Begins

It all started on Australia Day in 1955 when a young Merifield and his surfing companions embarked on a five-hour road trip from Perth to explore the breaks in the South West. In those early days, the surfing community in Western Australia was minuscule, with only about a dozen surfers statewide. Spotting a car with a surfboard on top was a sure sign of a fellow enthusiast.

"They were great days," Merifield recalled. "Back then there was only about a dozen of us surfers in the whole of Western Australia, so if you saw a car driving down the street with a surfboard on it, you certainly knew who it was."

Facing the Unknown

Merifield and his friends faced skepticism from fishermen and locals who considered the waters dangerous and teeming with sharks. Their early surf trips involved simple camping setups with a hammock between trees, a campfire, and basic provisions like canned beans and spaghetti.

"All the fishermen and locals reckoned we were crazy going out in what they regarded as shark-infested waters and dangerous waters… [we had] a hammock between the trees, the old camp fire and half a dozen tins of baked beans and spaghetti and that’s it."

Exploring Untamed Territory

Initially surfing around Yallingup, about 270 kilometers south of Perth, Merifield and his friends ventured further south to explore areas like Injidup. Without four-wheel-drive vehicles, the journey involved navigating dirt tracks, often resulting in getting bogged or damaging car parts.

"There were no four-wheel drives back then and just dirt tracks… chances were you’d get bogged every time and certainly knock out a muffler or something," he said.

He fondly remembers the early days as the "best years of my life," filled with laughter and pure enjoyment.

A Legacy Carved in Waves

Today, the South West is a world-renowned surfing destination, hosting the annual international Margaret River Pro competition. Merifield’s decision to retire comes after a remarkable 70 years of surfing.

"It’s very, very sad but at this stage of life, I have decided it’s time," Merifield stated. He cited a heart condition and breathing difficulties as reasons for his retirement, noting that these issues are incompatible with surfing.

Surf historian Jim King praised Merifield’s dedication, highlighting that few individuals can claim to have surfed for 70 consecutive years. King also noted Merifield’s fearlessness in tackling big waves and his success in passing on his passion to three generations of his family, all of whom are now surfers.

Key Takeaways

• Kevin Merifield, an 87-year-old surfing pioneer, has retired after 70 years of surfing.
• He was instrumental in developing Western Australia’s South West into a major surf destination.
• Merifield faced early skepticism about surfing in perceived "shark-infested" waters.
• His surfing career spanned an era of rudimentary equipment and challenging access to surf breaks.
• Merifield’s passion for surfing has been passed down through three generations of his family.
• Health reasons, including a heart condition, have led to his decision to hang up his board.

Sources

• Surfing pioneer Kevin Merifield hangs up surfboard after decades catching waves, ABC News.