“We were wandering minstrels with a surfboard and a sleeping bag.”
From his early days at Swanbourne Senior High School, Ian Cairns dominated every surfing competition on offer in Western Australia.
At age 13, he was winning Junior and Open titles.
By his early 20s, he was in Hawaii, searching for the waves that would soon make him world famous in his chosen sport.
“Ian came from obscurity in 1970s WA, to winning nearly every major in Hawaii and becoming world champion,” explains biographer Wayne Murphy, who penned the new book in honour of the surfing legend.
“After his career as an elite athlete was over, Ian pursued his dream to make surfing an internationally recognized sport – not just a lifestyle.”
Cairns relocated to California, where he became an administrator for the sport as well as a gold medal winning coach.
By the 1980s, he was spearheading the Association of Surfing Professionals – which would eventually become the World Surf League.
“Surfing has changed so much since Ian's early days at Margaret River when he first dreamed of making a living as a pro surfer, when there was no such thing, when surfing was largely frowned upon by society, to how it has become a multi-billion dollar industry today with Olympic Games recognition,” said Murphy.
“He has lived such a fascinating life that has impacted on many people around the world, for better and worse. That's why I wrote this book.”
Now days, Cairns doesn’t envy the pressures of professional surfers on the tour.
“Today the surfers are making huge dollars, have promo commitments, global fan bases, social media audiences etc. I guess I’d rather have lived my life than their’s regardless of the extra money,” he told the Mail.
“There’s a lot of pressure in dealing with your online reputation these days.”
Cairns said the process of writing his story with the help of Murphy had been a refreshing trip down memory lane.
“It’s been cathartic reliving old times, the good and putting to rest the bad,” he said.
“I now realize that there have been many wonderful moments and I’m really proud of how well the book has come out.
“Working with Wayne has been a fabulous journey. His patience has been giant in dealing with someone as willful as me!”
Cairns said he was thrilled to be back in the South West and was looking forward to catching the action at Surfers Point as well as seeing some familiar faces.
“Above all else, I still see Margaret River and Yallingup as home and I’m really looking forward to getting back there, riding some waves, soaking in the natural beauty and watching the brilliant night sky.”
Kanga will be launched at a special event at Aravina Estate in Yallingup on Friday April 13 from 6pm to 8pm, where Ian Cairns and Wayne Murphy will appear and sign books at the Aravina Surf Museum.
They will also be in attendance at the Margaret River Bookshop on Sunday April 15 from 5pm to 7pm.
Both events are free. For more information visit kangacairns.com.