Coastal Charts of Wollongong used by John 'Jack' O'Brien

Cartographer Australian Section Imperial General Staff

Printer AHQ Cartographic Company

Date1942

Object number00039655

NameCoastal charts

MediumPaper

Dimensions620 x 860 mm

ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Estate of John Mervin 'Jack' O'Brien

Terms

DescriptionJack O'Brien was a surf and fitness enthusiast who was a pioneer of surf ski endurance paddling. O'Brien studied charts of the NSW coast in preparation for his surf ski trips, making notes of potential hazards such as reefs or rocks. This coastal chart depicts the coast of Wollongong from Lake Illawarra to Scarborough.HistoryJohn 'Jack' O'Brien, former Queenscliff lifesaver and professional boxer, was a pioneer of endurance solo paddling using single and double surf skis. Over the course of ten trips from 1940 to 1962 he attempted or set non-stop paddling records on ocean trips between Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle. His training regime included cycling 48 km a day, following a strict vegetarian diet and 24 hour endurance paddling sessions. Being tied to his craft in rough seas, navigating by day and night and avoiding hazards such as reefs, rocks and sharks were all part of the challenge. In 1952 he claimed a world record for the greatest distance for non-stop ocean paddling in a 24 hour period, paddling 128km in 22 hours between Watson's Bay and Newcastle. Although his claims were contested in the media and subsequently bettered by others, he is remembered for pushing the boundaries of ocean paddling on surf skis.