In 1971, the club won its first Australian Championship, the Junior Surf Boat, racing on our own beach. As a consequence of that victory, it was decided that a team should be selected to travel to future Australian Championship carnivals with a view to winning more titles.
The teams that followed have been well organised and brought home a lot of success. But others had travelled to the Aussies in years gone by. Some were well organised, some were successful. Here is Doug Napier's report to club Secretary Ian Scott of the trip to the 1961 Australian Championships at Moana, South Australia. Keep an eye out for the highly detailed account of the Championships carnival.
Dear Ian,
Just a few lines on our trip to S.A. and return. We left Perth on Saturday morning 4th March 1961 at 6 o'clock and arrived at Adelaide on Wednesday lunchtime.
We had many troubles along the track but we enjoyed the trip and made a lot of friends and learnt a terrific lot of Surf work. On the carnival side of the trip it was fast and furious, but functioned very well.
The City Club was in every event possible. A few were disqualified before entering the arena because we weren't nominated or because we were representing another Club and not City.
On checking the finance figures it was found that the other vehicle was down £6.0.0. and they didn't have the breakdown toubles that our car had.
On going over the finances with the boys it was a further £2.0.0. down overnight but no one could be found to blame, although a lot of talk went on.
We left Adelaide on Tuesday 14th March at 10 o'clock and arrived home Saturday 25th March at 10 o'clock.
Yours truly,
DOUG NAPIER
P.S. Attached is a log of events.
LEFT PERTH 6.15 A.M. SATURDAY 4th MARCH
| Arrived Merredin 8 a.m. | Brunch and swim |
| Arrived Southern Cross 1.30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 3 p.m. | Temperature light on, put billy under bonnet. No more trouble. |
| Arrived Kalgoorlie 8 p.m. | Had swim. Slept. |
| SUNDAY | |
| Left Kalgoorlie 5.30 a.m. | |
| Arrived Balladonia 12.30 p.m. | 20 miles past Balladonia radiator sheared studs and fell out. Tied radiator in with rope. |
| Arrived Madura 8 p.m. (Welding £1.3.0.) | Welded radiator and new studs. Marks Car brakes dragging, spring broken that holds shoes away from drum. Make new end and retamper spring. Slept Madura |
| MONDAY | |
| Left Madura 5 a.m. | |
| 8 a.m. | Neville shot huge eagle. Mark tried to fly off cliff after wounded eagle. Many abrasions and 2 broken ribs. |
| 8 - 10 a.m. | Radiator sheared studs broke frame. Tied up with rope. Muffler broke off (had it). Tossed to ?. |
| Arrived Eucla 10.30 a.m. | Tetanus needle for Mark |
| 10.45 a.m. | Speedo needle fell off. |
| 12 o'clock | Sunvisor sheared off (inside left). Left mudguard split 4 places. Front grill fell out. Sheared rear spring buffers. |
| Arrived Boomerang Roadhouse 9 p.m. | Slept |
| TUESDAY | |
| Left at 7 a.m. | |
| 7.10 a.m. | Left headlight rim missing. Exhaust bracket sheared. Wired up. |
| Arrived Ceduna 10 a.m. | Flying Doctor looked at Mark |
| Arrived Poochera 1 p.m. | Brunch |
| Arrived Augusta 7 p.m. | Slept |
| WEDNESDAY | |
| Left for Adelaide 6 a.m. | |
| Arrived Adelaide 12 o'clock | Met Ex Wollongong Surf Club chaps now living Adelaide and are the Chiton Rocks S.L.S.C. at present. |
Mark Mounsey - flew after eagle
Caravan parked at flat rented by Mr. B. Stevens, Flat 1. Kauri Flats, Kauri Parade, Seacliff S.A.
Every Night (BIG PARTY) 25 regular Surf Club chaps sleeping in flat. Many blow ins. Many friendly people in Adelaide.
Competed in Champs. No one got past first set of heats.
Left Adelaide Tuesday 14th March 10 a.m.
| Arrived Augusta 4 p.m. | |
| Arrived Whyalla 5.30 p.m. | |
| Arrived Wundinna 5.30 p.m. | Slept |
| WEDNESDAY | |
| Left Wundinna 9 a.m. | 60 mile detour |
| 30 mile detour | |
| Woman driver bogged in middle of detour. | |
| Arrived Ceduna 1.30 p.m. | Ran out of ammo. |
| Arrived Penong 6.30 p.m. | |
| 11 o'clock p.m. | Slept |
| THURSDAY | |
| Left camp 9 a.m. | |
| 11 a.m. | Stopped at Koonalda Explored caves |
| 12 midday | Blew tyre, sharp stone |
| Arrived Eucla 2.30 p.m. | Swim in sea |
| Arrived Madura 7 p.m. | Can't get ammo. Raining. Have to keep going. Road will be impassable tomorrow. |
| 12 Midnight | Blew tyre |
| Drove till 3 a.m. | Morning. Road dry. |
| Fog, had to stop. 4 miles to go to Balladonia | |
| FRIDAY | |
| Off at 8 a.m. | |
| 10.30 a.m. | Blew tyre |
| Arrived Norseman 12.30 p.m. | Swim in pool. Dinner then left. |
| 1.30 p.m. | |
| 4 p.m. | Napiers Pub. Widgiemooltha |
| Arrived Coolgardie 7 p.m. | Ammo at last. |
| Arrived Southern Cross 11.30 p.m. | |
| Arrived Northam 3 a.m. | Morning. Slept. |
| SATURDAY | |
| Left at 9 p.m. | |
| Arrived Perth 11 p.m. | Adelaide Time. |
Cost of trip £8.0.0. per head for 5 heads. For petrol, oil, Greaseups, repairs, tubes and parts, also Ammunition.
[Tales From the Tower]
