Watch: On The Couch With Tommy

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Reels

Back in 2007, Jolyon Hoff made 'Searching for Michael Peterson' and interviewed Tommy Peterson twice for the project.

On the day of the Tommy's funeral, Jolyon, who now runs the Surf Film Archive, has released these cuts from the film.

Enjoy.

Comments

Nick McCann's picture
Nick McCann's picture
Nick McCann Wednesday, 26 Feb 2025 at 3:54pm

I don't know much about this guy, but I just watched these vids and I was glued to his story telling.
He could be 1/2 cut, but he doesn't miss a beat. Nice to see the love and support from his partner.

jolyon.hoff's picture
jolyon.hoff's picture
jolyon.hoff Wednesday, 26 Feb 2025 at 4:25pm

totally could be 1/2 cut :)

rooftop's picture
rooftop's picture
rooftop Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 3:33pm

I think there may be some dental issues there which make him slur his speech.

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Wednesday, 26 Feb 2025 at 4:31pm

Brotherly love, aye

tip-top1's picture
tip-top1's picture
tip-top1 Wednesday, 26 Feb 2025 at 6:18pm

how good ,
the MP tells a few tales of the wars they had , bugs included

Johan Wohlleben's picture
Johan Wohlleben's picture
Johan Wohlleben Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 12:05am

Brotherly love alright! Good to hear it from a younger bro as I guess I used to hassle my bro. He’s sharp as a tack

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 4:27pm

Very sharp. And surprisingly so for a chronic stoner. Geez, he would have been fun to have a beer with - if you had a solid escape plan.

basesix's picture
basesix's picture
basesix Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 8:53am

haha, what a crack up. such natural interviews. what beautiful honest aussie history to have archived.. you're a legend, jolyon "stifling chuckles throughout" hoff.

jolyon.hoff's picture
jolyon.hoff's picture
jolyon.hoff Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 12:09pm

Haha. Thanks @basesix. Hard not to chuckle along. I can imagine being at the pub and getting caught up in Tommy's stories, then next thing finding yourself pissed and sucked into some harebrained scheme!

FWIW I'm pretty sure Tommy gave MP just as much stick as MP gave to him. MP might have had it over him in the water, but Tommy would run rings around MP on land. Anyway that's just my guess. Kerry Gill and others who grew up with them would know more.

Glad you enjoyed the clip. I'll try and dig some more out.

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 11:14am

Faaarrrk, This just made my day
Faaarrrken brilliant

aaron61's picture
aaron61's picture
aaron61 Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 2:38pm

He does tell a good yarn.

Anyone know about the guitar in the background.

Was he a player?

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 4:04pm
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Sunday, 9 Mar 2025 at 11:31am

Is that the lyrics udo ?

shraz's picture
shraz's picture
shraz Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 at 3:57pm

Great stuff, makes me glad I didn't have a brother, had a few run in's with some of my mates brothers though! I don't think too many would be keen to swim out to the nets for a board these days!

petermitchell's picture
petermitchell's picture
petermitchell Friday, 28 Feb 2025 at 4:23am

Those interviews were awesome, Tommy was a great storyteller, very sharp, detailed and honest.
Rabbit’s interview from the same movie is worth a visit too, probably the funniest surf yarn I’ve ever heard.

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Sunday, 9 Mar 2025 at 11:34am

Love the fact he put boardies on and swam out to the sharknets
Best part of the interview though is when he deadpans the camera and states he is a carpenter.
Not " shaper or board builder or pro surfer. "
Straight hardcore carpenter.....
Real life gents .....