There are legends and then there are special legends and Graham Cecil Black is in that special category.
Affectionately known as Blackie, the long legged smooth goofy footer from the southern end of the Gold Coast is one of Coolangatta’s greatest surfing champions.
Graham was a standout from the early 60s who created a style for backhand goofy foots like Wayne Lynch who replicated Black’s hands in air wide stance cutback and backhand bottom turn that are now signature moves even with today’s generation.
Peter Blair said: “He had cat like grace and smooth flowing style. When the 1966 Australia Titles were about to start, where Graham was representing Queensland, I was surfing inside from Greenmount Point with a group from Victoria. Wayne Lynch was not famous yet but was simply brilliant in this session and very friendly. We were sitting together watching a set off the point when Blackie took off on his backhand absolutely ripped a nice wave. We both looked at each other with ‘how good was that!’ and I could tell he definitely recognised a fellow goofy superstar.”
As a fellow Windansea member & close friend Billy Bob Kingston summed up Blackie’s surfing talent, calling him one of Australia’s best goofys.
“I hung with Graham during the mid to late sixties. He was the best goofy in Australia at the time, so stylish and his nose riding was a pleasure to watch. A real art form!”
Blacky made the successful transition from longboards to shortboards. By 1970 Gail and Graham had moved to Mermaid Beach just down the road from my parents’ beachfront house. He was such a hero to me growing up. I relished our free surfing sessions together ala goofy on goofy in the rip bowl lefthanders out front at Mermaid that pushed my surfing to the next level.
Graham had been a prominent early member of the Kirra Surfriders club in the sixties. In the seventies he was recruited by Windansea Gold Coast based HQ at Surfers Paradise until he moved to Palm Beach where he was warmly welcomed to join the Palm Beach Boardiders and became a life member.
Diana Hartung said: “A true legend who raised a beautiful family and loved his wife endlessly. He was an inspiration to Palm Beach.”
Beyond doubt Grahams biggest contest achievement was at the 1969 Queensland State Titles at Snapper Rocks where he pulled off a huge upset win to defeat the defending QLD State Champion Peter Drouyn.
This was during the transition period from longboards to the shortboard revolution. There was an A-frame peak in front of Little Marli Rocks inside Snapper offering both lefts & rights. However, Graham dominated the final with his fluent forehand and backhand style.
Graham supported his surfing lifestyle by working as a professional glasser at some of the best Gold Coast surfboard manufacturers. Beginning with Joe Larkin and working alongside close friend and fellow goofy Brian ‘Furry’ Austin the head shaper at Larkins. He also joined the Hot Stuff Surfboard label of Paul Hallas and worked with Al Byrne throughout the 80s and 90s.
He was such a loveable legend. Everyone adored Blacky. He was a selfless jovial character whose laughter was contagious and he valued a fun time with family and friends. Graham turned 77 in March. Together with his long-time partner Gail, they loved each other dearly and presided over an extensive family dynasty of children and grandchildren.
Coolangatta is so much richer for having Blackie as one of their favourite surfing sons.
He said: “Coolangatta is one of the best surfing regions of the world. There will never be another one quite like it!”
And there will never be another one like our Blackie!
Blackies funeral will be held at the Tweed Heads Memorial and Crematorium on the 15th of May from 10 a.m. Gathering at Palm Beach Soccer Club from 12.30 afterwards.
