RIP: "Keep riding those endless waves"–Legendary surfer Phyllis O’Donnell passed away

Surfing champion, Phyllis O’Donell, died in her mid-eighties, at her Pottsville Retirement Home, Queensland. The legacy O’Donnell left behind was to be named Australia’s first female World Surfing Champion.

Femlins was the name given to female surfers of the 60s. Femlins Power had struck a blow. 

Surfer Phyllis O’Donell was one of those who lead the pack. They formed their own clubs and were actively involved in the surfing movement.

Every State had a female champion who competed in the Australian Championships.
 

Main: Surfer Phyllis O’Donnell winner of the inaugural World Surfing Championship.
 

She won the inaugural World Championship in 1964, the first woman surfer to win a World Title, from Linda Benson of the USA and Heather Nicholson from Coffs  Harbour, NSW. She competed in many other achievements.

Emily Brugman, a reporter for Tracks magazine, “She travelled the world in pursuit of waves. Known for her sense of humour, mischievous smile and classic surfing style, Phyllis will be remembered as one of the greats of Australian surfing. 

Phyllis said “I used to go down to Manly and I met a man named Snowy McAlister who I  would call my motivator or mentor. He used to be able to get on a board and stand on his head.”

Brugman said: “With Snowy’s coaxing, Phyllis won the 1964 World Surfing Championship, alongside Midge Farrelly.”

Phyllis was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame at the Surfworld Museum, Torquay, Victoria, in 1996.
 

Surfer Phyllis O’Donell, in a characteristic pose.
 

She hails as being one of the top women surfers of the 60s. She fondly rode a Joe Larkin board in almost all of her titles.

(Larkin had the distinction of being the only recognised custom board builder in Queensland. He shaped his  board at 15, “and I’ve building surfboards ever since.” His factory was based at Kirra, Queensland, and not far from Phyllis O’Donell.)

In 2022, Steph Gilmore, the seven-time world champ, opted to honour O’Donell at the Pro Portugal, for the International Women’s Celebrations.

“Phyillis is an idol of mine,” said Gilmore. “I think for all of us women who are here today, it’s the women like Phyillis who have paved the  way.”

C.J. (Snowy) McAlister, one of the all-time greats of Australian surfboard riding. He was undisputed Association champion from 1924 through to 1928. He was ‘star’ up till he died in 1988. 

Phyllis O’Donnell Close Up 

Oz Spots

Torvill and Dean: The Final World Tour will arrive next June

1984, the year they formed their partnership.
 

Filed under Torvill and Dean, I came across the story I had published in 1984. The Final tour will capture some of these captivating moments. The English ice-dancing couple made world headlines In what Time magazine describes as “the first utterly flawless exhibition” scoring a nine performance mark from the nine judges. “It was one performance almost beyond belief,” Time reported. “Torvill and Dean carried ice dancing singlehanded from the amiable charms of the ballroom to the aesthetic splendour of ballet. Never was their vision of the sport’s potential as clear as it was in this Olympics performance.” Commented Chis Dean after the duo’s  history-making exhibition: “We tried to be inventive and to do different things.” – FM.
 

Torvill and Dean: Last Dance’ Tour begins in Australia in June 2025. This will be the very last chance to see world top skating in action.