Paul Bevear Oral History

DETAILS

Overview
Paul Bevear recounts his lifelong connection to surfing and his influential role in the evolution of Noosa’s surf culture from the 1960s onward. Born in Sydney in 1948, he began surfing on Sydney’s northern beaches before travelling the east coast with friends, seeking uncrowded waves. His first visit to Noosa in 1964 left a lasting impression—Hastings Street was a dirt road, the National Park surf breaks were almost empty, and the region offered pristine, world class waves.

Bevear eventually settled on the Sunshine Coast in the early 1970s, working as a carpet layer while surfing Noosa, Coolum, and Double Island Point. He formed close friendships with key figures such as Garth Madill, Bruce McKeen, and surfboard shaper Kevin Platt. He was deeply involved in shaping the local surfing community, including helping to revive the Noosa Board riders Club in the mid 1970s and promoting competitive opportunities for local surfers.

A witness to the transition from longboards to shortboards, Bevear was among the first to introduce shortboard designs to Noosa. His reflections highlight dramatic changes in surf culture, coastline development, and crowding over time, while emphasising his enduring passion for Noosa’s natural environment and its iconic surf breaks.

Photograph

Paul Bevear, Mudjimba, 24 November 2022

Oral History Transcript

Paul Bevear Oral History - Transcript

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Paul Bevear Oral History - Audio

Video

Paul Bevear Oral History - Video

IDENTIFIERS

Subject (Keywords)Surfing

CONNECTIONS

PersonPaul BevearProjectNoosa History of Surfing

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Paul Bevear Oral History