R.I.P.


MICHAEL PETERSON

1952 - 2012


Photo: Peter Crawford

The legendary Michael Peterson sadly passed away this morning after suffering a heart attack in his Coolangatta home.

He will be remembered and immortalised as one of the greatest ever wave riders and an icon of the Australian surfing identity.

"He was our Miki Dora, James Dean and Marlon Brando all rolled into one, only he surfed like a man on a mission and rode our waves in the 'Gatta like it mattered."

Peter Townend – 1976 World Champion, grommethood rival and lifelong friend of MP

 

 





Surfing World senior writer and Michael Peterson's biographer Sean Doherty pays tribute:

Having been in poor health for a number of years I suppose there was a sense of inevitability about his passing. But in saying that, Michael – and the whole Peterson family for that matter – had been through so much over the years, and displayed such resilience and strength in the face of Michael’s mental illness and all the episodes that played out as a result, that you felt Michael could live on forever. And in a way, I suppose, he will.

My thoughts today are with the Peterson family, his brother Tommy and sisters Dot and Denise. But most of all they are with his mother Joan, a woman of incredible heart whose love got her son through some dark years. Without her, we would have been morning Michael’s passing decades ago.

The last time I saw Michael was just before Christmas. We had lunch at the Sands Hotel, Michael choosing the darkest and quietest table in the place. While he wasn’t in great health, he was in good spirits. He talked with old family friend, Dick Hoole and I about matters surfing, we talked about the sand at Kirra, before Michael hinted to us he was still contemplating a comeback to the surf as he’d threatened to do on occasion over the years.

Michael always had a great sense of timing. During his three-year unbeaten run at Bells Beach he was famous for not turning up before his heat, only to come from the clouds at the last minute and ghost into the lineup and take his opponents to pieces. Michael’s passing four days before the Bells event is predicted to start in epic conditions, will ensure the event will be surfed in his memory.

Australian surfing has lost one of its greats. We’ll miss you, mate. – SD

Comments 

 
#8 2012-04-08 06:11
My friend,Mick Carrol and I, were exiting the water at D Bar on or about 29/12/74 after a late arvo session having just arrived on G Coast.MP was sitting on a car bonnet and gave us a nod of 'reco'.While I know it was mosty for my friend who, was/is a great surfer, I too felt included and have never forgotten.Good onya MP. p.s. I surfed better for the rest of trip.
 
 
#7 2012-04-05 11:07
I grew up in the 80's hearing about the mystic of MP, the stories from older surfers - but none of the surf mags or surf industry of the day ever spoke about him or wrote any articles about him -- it was like everybody was trying to distance themselves from the ultimate rebel when the surf industry was trying to present a "clean" image...I guess the fact that he was never "offically" recognised back then only elevated the mystic. I think that it is interesting and also great that in the last 10 years the surf industry has gone some way to recognising MP's feats and celebrating his achievements and also radical lifestyle. He sure looked super cool.

MP even though your life was cut short, you jammed more into the first 30 years of life then most have in 70. Also you have ridden more perfect barrels then I ever have or ever will and for that I will always be jealous...
RIP MP.
 
 
#6 2012-04-02 12:20
MP was more than just a surfer: he was a force of nature! When next you look at the ocean and see it sparkle, Michael will be the biggest, brightest diamond out there.
 
 
#5 2012-03-30 05:31
Have mp board hanging on my wall.all who see it freak out.its colors shape & graphics unreal.my original board from 1974. A hero from another time & place. A legend Rip.
 
 
#4 2012-03-29 16:05
I met him in the islands - North Shore in 1975. We had all heard about him but to us , my room mates, we hadn't really seen him in action. He was hanging with Owl and Sam Hawk alot. One afternoon at Sunset on an 8 ft day he went out for an hour of surfing that no one forgot. He was carving while most were speed trimming . He was snapping while the standard was going up and down with not much change in board direction. His session was short,he came in and loaded the board into his junker car and drove off. A week later I had a slide show at the KeIki house with 30 or so people. He was so quiet we couldn't tell where he was coming from. As the photos I took of him came up on the wall he started babbling about his board , the wave etc - animated - we all looked at each other " Michael had spoken But actually way more on the wave. RIP MP.
 
 
#3 2012-03-29 14:08
MP was a “freak” with absolutely uncanny talent in the water. He was born to surf. He paddled like a jet-ski and probably could have towed-in another surfer. His wave-sense, timing and tube-riding was alien. His lip smacking and cutbacks were manic. His persona was magnetic and mysteriously Hollywoodesque- a supernova of the seventies. The star has gone but the light will shine forever!
 
 
#2 2012-03-29 02:39
You were a legend and a inspired surfer
may your journey be full of perfect waves
RIP Michael Peterson
 
 
#1 2012-03-29 01:56
MP, I grew up and learned to surf listening to stories of you at kirra. Your surfing style as been ingrained into my brain from watching morning of the earth countless times. You are a legend and will never be forgotten. Long live the king of kirra!
 

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