Gary Clist Oral History

DETAILS

Overview
2017 Interview:

Gary Clist offers a rich, detailed account of his family history, early life, and long connection to Noosa. Born in New Zealand and raised partly on Norfolk Island and Sydney’s northern beaches, he describes how surfing culture ultimately drew his family to Noosa in 1967. His parents purchased and ran the Noosa Park Inn kiosk—later renamed the Noosa Wave Kiosk—where Clist spent his teenage years working, surfing, and immersing himself in the local community. He recalls the quiet roads, small student population, simple tourism industry, and the influx of surfers whose enthusiasm helped place Noosa on the map.

Clist provides an insider view of Noosa’s transition from a quiet coastal village to an increasingly popular destination. He details the early surf scene, long form board design changes, and relationships among local surfers. He also describes his later ventures, including multiple small businesses in Hastings Street, Noosa Junction, and Tewantin; his growing passion for photography; and his commitment to preserving local history through extensive photo and postcard archives.

Reflecting on decades of change, Clist expresses a mixture of nostalgia and appreciation. While acknowledging increased traffic, development, and population, he emphasises the enduring natural beauty of Noosa’s beaches and National Park, the importance of community, and the reasons he continues to call the region home.

2023 Interview

This interview for the Noosa's Surfing History project, captures Gary Clist’s reflections on more than five decades of life, surfing, and surfboard culture in Noosa. Arriving with his family in 1967, Clist lived beside Noosa National Park at the former Noosa Park Inn—later renamed the Noosa Wave Kiosk—where the proximity to the surf shaped his lifelong involvement in the local surfing community. He describes Noosa’s transformation from a quiet coastal village into a globally recognised surf destination, noting significant population increases, heavier traffic, and a decline in consistent cyclone driven swell since the mid 1970s.

Clist recounts his early transition from bellyboards to kneeboards, influenced by designers such as George Greenough, Bob McTavish, and local shapers including Trevor Hewston, Kevin Platt, and David “Harpo” Hutchinson. His passion evolved into collecting historically significant kneeboards and Hayden Spoons, ultimately leading to collaborative historical documentation alongside journalist Stuart Scott.

He speaks warmly of the early surf culture—tight knit, respectful, and closely linked to the kiosk community—and contrasts it with today’s overcrowded line ups and diminished etiquette. Despite frustrations with modern pressures, he continues to value Noosa’s natural beauty, especially the enduring character of Tea Tree Bay and the National Park. Clist sees surfing as central to Noosa’s identity and remains committed to preserving its cultural history.

Photograph

Gary Clist

Gary Clist, Tewantin, 23 November 2022

Oral History Transcript

Gary Clist Oral History - Transcript

Gary Clist Oral History - Transcript - Noosa History of Surfing Project

Audio

Gary Clist Oral History - Audio

Gary Clist Oral History - Audio - Noosa History of Surfing Project

Video

Gary Clist Oral History - Video Noosa History of Surfing Project

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Gary Clist Oral History