My relationship with PC varied dramatically from travel surf mates to full on opponents in kneeboard contests.
In his three in a row time as Australian kneeboard champion 76, 77, 78, I came runner up to him twice in 76 and 78. I first met him in 1974 at the National Titles in Queensland, he wasn't competing as he didn't qualify for the NSW team that year but was taking photos with his trusty Nikonos. We chatted about design and he said he really liked my boards, that they were different and was impressed I had shaped them myself. I was 18 years old. He was helpful to me at Burleigh Heads he told me where to sit to get the good ones, I made the final 5.
The next year 1975 the nationals were in South Australia and neither PC nor I made the final. Peters greatest rival Kevin Barr won in it with Steve Artis a close second. PC wasn't really focused that year and I was trying out a new shape.
In 1976 titles he cut loose, I had PC and the DEE WHY crew Colin Gow, Russell Lewis, Terry Clarke and Chopper Fred, along with our good mate Andrew McKinnon stay at the family home in Mornington. The 76 national titles were held on the east coast of Victoria between Pt. Leo and Gunnamatta, PC was very comfortable at my place as he was supported by friends and he was full on focused and tuned in. He won every heat, every semi, every final, every round was a perfect score.
Probably only Wayne Lynch and Michael Peterson have done likewise in the ASA surfing competitions.
This was his first title of three in a row.
Peter had a great rapport with Victoria, in 1975 he won the Point Leo 1200 competition, ending my two-year reign on the title. We travelled with Andrew McKinnon and Russell Lewis and surfed Express Point on Phillip island. PC loved it and he just slotted straight into it like a local, he loved the tube and knew how to ride one, none of us had leg ropes on that made even more challenging. But he was never conservative he just went for it.
Chris Crozier shaped all his boards and PC was totally stoked that I was shaping my own boards and he would get all excited dancing and giggling as he showed me the rocker, foil and rails of his board and encourage me to try this next time. His enthusiasm was infectious.
In 1977 PC won his second Australian title narrowly beating Steve Artis at North Narrabeen, Steve then beat him narrowly at the O'Neil kneeboard pro also at North Narrabeen. 1977 was a tight tussle between PC & Steve Artis two of the great Aussie kneeboard riders of the time. PC was a hard man to compete against and we all really had to lift our game as there was no rules with him, it was like a street fight. He could be intimidating, play mind games, he would be hassling and sledging you. Whatever, he wanted to win, no mates that was it. On the other hand, there was the super kind, considerate, encouraging PC, I saw all the traits and I both loved and hated him at various times.
The 1978 nationals were held in Margaret River in huge surf, they were great waves. Three rounds of the Titles went like this, I won the first and the 3rd round, Steve Artis won the 2nd round and PC won the Grand Final. Although I was awarded the Title, a tabulating error was found the next day and I promptly handed the title to PC, as I had lost on a count back. He did say to me if anyone won it he would want it to be me. Contests surfing can strain your friendships without a doubt.
PC and I were picked on these results to represent Australia in an International Surfing event to be held on the North Shore of Hawaii on Dec/Jan 1978-79. But because of PC’s work commitments as a Professional Photographer he couldn't make it. David Parkes was slotted in, David won the event with myself in second place.
PC found me and whisked me away one night whilst I was on the North Shore, he took me to meet George Greenough and George showed us his movie "Echoes". This was a very memorable evening I can assure you, sitting in a room with those two legends watching this film, I was 21 years old and felt very very privileged.
Peter was a hard man, very ruthless, but he always looked out for me. When I won the coveted Duranbah Kneeboard Pro in 1981 after coming 2nd in 1980, I got an unexpected phone call from PC totally stoked for me.
Towards the end of PC’s incredible competitive career PC got eaten up by the monsters he himself had created. All of us fellow competitors became just like him and some got even worse when trying win. I saw him bomb out of the National Titles on the Gold Coast in 1979, PC had been so starved of waves by the very people who looked up to him as the guru of kneeboard riding.
I wasn't to see him again for many years, apart from the occasional phone call i.e. the one in 81. Also our boards had changed David Parkes and myself had started to ride twin fins. PC kept on his tried and tested, PC was a purist in the best essence. No one could ever surf those single fin Crozier flex tails quiet like him, he was a one-off master, very eccentric and he set the standard.
PC took everyone on in competition in the 70s and he came out on top, he had some great battles with David Parkes in the latter part of that era in the Sitmar/cruise contest on the south side of Sydney. PC maintained the good vibes between north and south side kneeboard riders.
Without doubt his biggest rival was Kevin Barr, there was no love lost between them that’s for sure.
PC was many things to many different people but to his fellow kneeboard riders he was an inspiration, he put us on the map in so many ways and made people sit up and take notice, by being a true waterman in every way, PC will always be remembered with profound respect and admiration.
I had an extraordinary relationship with Peter and I know he was very fond of me, he was exceptionally kind to me. I had seen PC be very cold and downright cruel to other people. There was a real dark side to him. I have chosen to be selective in what I have written about him. There is much more that I know, but I am not sure it should be told as people who love him may get hurt. I hope this will suffice.
Peter Crawford images C/O Justin Crawford
