John 'Jack' O'Brien departing Watson's Bay on SS BILL FISHER

Date15 April 1952

Object number00039916

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin, paper

DimensionsOverall: 205 x 255 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from John Mervin O'Brien Estate

Terms

DescriptionThis photograph shows endurance surf ski paddler Jack O'Brien departing Watson's Bay on his double surf ski SS BILL FISHER (formerly BIG DOLPHIN) at 9:30pm for his record-setting voyage to Newcastle. O'Brien arrived in Newcastle 22 hours later having paddled 80 miles (128 km). O'Brien used the moonlight to avoid the reefs, sharks and porpoises along the way.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.SignificanceThis photograph relates to John 'Jack' O'Brien, who pioneered endurance surf ski paddling in Australia and completed ten endurance trips from 1940 to 1962 between Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle.