John Witzig-the ‘Catalogue’

The definitive early days of the surfing sub cultural movement down under – the 60s and 70s ‘country soul’ period – were times of unsurpassed organic exploration, creation and rebelling against the conformist nature of general society. Prominent figureheads are still worshipped today: the likes of Bob McTavish, Nat Young, George Greenough and the south coast youngster Wayne Lynch. But there’s one more man worth remembering for his contribution to Australian surf culture – a man who made waves with his spoken and penned frank expression, and sincere photography.

John Witzig.

In the mid 60s John, teamed with Albe Falzon and David Elfick, kick started the influential ‘Tracks Magazine’, documenting all aspects of surf culture – simple living, riding the waves, politics, and environmental awareness – in a tabloid style print media.

Now he brings you his most recent publication, the ‘Catalogue’ – these are (mostly) pictures you’ve never seen.

“The photographs here are ones that haven’t made the cut previously, or that I’ve noticed in the meantime … pictures that didn’t seem important when they were taken (mainly from the mid-1960s until around 1978) but have attracted my attention some 40 years later. Mostly it’s because they seem to capture the spirit of those times … times irrevocably gone.” -John Witzig