Michael Peterson – Australia’s First Surfing Antihero
“The Rebel with a Lightning Bolt”
🌊 Basic Info
Full Name: Michael Anthony Peterson
Nickname: MP
Born: September 24, 1952 – Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia
Died: March 29, 2012 – Kingscliff, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality: Australian
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Surf Spots: Kirra, Burleigh Heads, Bells Beach
🏆 Career Highlights
Championships & Titles:
3× Australian National Champion (1972, 1973, 1974)
1975 Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro Champion – legendary win considered one of the best performances ever at Bells
Dominated the Aussie competitive scene in the early 70s with unmatched style and aggression
Notable Competitions:
Bells Beach, Coca-Cola Surfabout, Queensland State Titles
Shaped the competitive surfing scene before the world tour officially launched
Best Performances:
1975 Bells Beach final – rode Kirra-like waves with precision and flow that left judges speechless
Won heats often by a massive margin, surfing in a zone few could match during his prime
Signature Moves:
Fluid yet explosive surfing – known for high-speed cutbacks, deep barrel lines, and pocket surfing
His transitions from turn to turn were so tight and fast, they seemed years ahead of their time
Also a standout on twin-fins and early thruster-style boards
🏄♂️ Surfing Style & Equipment
Board Preferences:
Often shaped his own boards or worked closely with Morning of the Earth Surfboards
Rode single-fins early on, then transitioned to shorter, faster templates for Kirra’s long tubes
Wetsuit & Gear:
Wore classic 70s surf trunks and Aussie wetsuits—style was always cool, even when minimal
Part of the Hot Buttered and Lightning Bolt era of iconic surf branding
Training & Fitness:
MP didn’t train like today’s pros—his “training” was surfing Kirra day in and day out
A natural talent with uncanny ocean intuition and quick-twitch reaction time
Wave Preferences:
Loved fast, hollow right-handers – Kirra was his kingdom
Also excelled at Bells, where he could link power turns with rail precision
🌍 Life Beyond Surfing
Hobbies & Interests:
Shaping, painting boards, music (deeply inspired by the counterculture)
Was known for being reclusive, enigmatic, and sometimes misunderstood
Social Causes:
Later in life, his story shed light on mental health struggles, particularly schizophrenia
His journey inspired greater awareness and compassion for surfers dealing with internal battles
Fun Facts:
MP famously evaded police in a high-speed chase across the Gold Coast after a psychotic break—this moment marked his retreat from public life
The film Searching for Michael Peterson captures his genius, rise, and fall
Often referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of surfing”—raw, brilliant, and gone too soon
🎥 Photos & Videos
Watch Morning of the Earth to see MP in his prime—particularly at Kirra and Lennox Head
His Bells Beach rides are etched into Aussie surf lore
📢 Latest News & Updates
In 2025, MP’s legacy is honored through MP Classic Surf Contest, held annually at Kirra
A newly restored version of Searching for Michael Peterson is set to hit streaming platforms this year
Surfboard replicas of MP’s favorite templates are being re-released by cult Aussie brands, sparking renewed appreciation for 70s-era surfing
