Vale Kiwi White
This week, ten emails worth of photos arrived in the Swellnet inbox. All of them documenting the wonderfully well-travelled life of Ken 'Kiwi' White, a fellow who, we'll clarify from the outset, was not a New Zealander.
Ken's nickname was born when, as a tot, he was playing Cowboys and Indians and Mum White painted stripes on his face using boot polish. The brand? Kiwi polish.
Born in Cheltenham, Adelaide, in 1945, Kiwi's life was taking a well-worn trajectory from school into his first job. He worked on the factory floor at Elders with faint hopes for elevation into the office, which was occupied by a certain class of character: conservative, well-mannered, short back and sides, on the rise.
The first surf films were coming out of the US and Kiwi suddenly saw a different future for himself. He politely informed his manager he didn't share his vision and took off.
Coming of age during Australia's first surf boom, Kiwi was a nimble natural-footer who tasted minor competitive success. In 1964, he surfed in the World Titles at Manly, the year Midget won announcing Australia as a force in world surfing. Yet it was Kiwi's appetite for adventure, and his Forrest Gump tendency to cross paths with fate, the '64 titles just one example, for which he's most well known.
Setting up base in Port Lincoln, Kiwi and mates explored up the Eyre Peninsula in their 30s-era wagon emblazoned 'West Coast Surf Chaser', copying the 'South Coast Surf Chaser' belonging to the guys back east across the gulfs. Other crews also had their 'chasers', The Surf Seekers, The Malibu Maniacs, Murphies Mob, Joie De Vivre, and later the Roaders.
Arguably, the West Coast crew had the richest pickings, but every crew put in the highway miles - that's the lot of being a South Australian surfer.
The difference with Kiwi, however, was that his travels went beyond the state - he surfed all around Australia - and they also took him beyond Australia to the best surf in the world, to Hawaii, California, Mexico, Indonesia, during an age that leaves a modern surfer green with envy, and he didn't even stop when the crowds came. Kiwi was travelling into his seventies and collected passport stamps from 101 different countries.
Back home at Port Lincoln he did seasonal work, first on the trawlers and later as a tuna spotter from a plane, and then leaving when the fish did.
Active into his seventies, Kiwi hit a stumbling block early last year. He began having trouble breathing, struggling with his surfing, and, unusual for Kiwi, he didn’t feel like eating or doing anything active.
So he had tests done, and the doctors initially gave him the all clear, but Kiwi insisted on further testing. Two weeks later, he was called back into the doctors for his results.
He had mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Kiwi claims it was an early surf trip to WA, telling the ABC: "We were getting ten shillings, or one dollar, to fill up a big wool bag. The asbestos would come in and we'd rake it down and then we'd pick it up in our bare hands. No mask, no goggles, no protective gear at all, we had boardshorts, T-shirt, pair of thongs."
"I had a feeling this wasn't doing us any good. Both of us lasted ten days."
Despite the disease, Kiwi continued surfing and competing. Even winning the Over 75s division at Crescent Head last year with a bung lung and a grim diagnosis.
Kiwi is survived by his wife Robyn and daughter Sophie.
(Information and photos courtesy of Andrew Close. Photographers credited where possible)
Kiwi, at left with a broken arm, in Port Lincoln, 1963, with Tony Dudley and their 'West Coast Surf Chaser'. Next two shots also early-60s.
Kiwi in 1964 after being selected to compete at the 1964 World Titles at Manly
Kiwi pantsless with Mic Lindsay and Geoff Berry in the Gallows carpark, southwest WA (Dave Condon)
With Mic Lindsay again after driving back to Port Lincoln, stopping in to surf Cactus.
Hitchhiking around Africa in 1965
On the bog, '67
Holding a 7'6" in Mexico, 1968, as the shortboard revolution begins to take hold.
First real shortboard with era-precise artwork, Florida, 1968.
In 1969, Kiwi and Keith Paull, plus a number of local surfers, are charged for surfing within 200 feet of the Sebastian Inlet breakwall - the wave that later became world famous via its best local, Kelly Slater.
On African surfari with Bob Evans
Taking off at Waimea Bay, 1969 (Alan Rich)
And coming off the bottom at Sunset during the same season.
Lined up Lennox Head in 1973. Inscription on the back of the photo: 'Lennox Head was great on 20/8/73. Everybody was out'.
At Blacks in 1973. Photo taken from the deck of the fishing trawler, 'Flinders Star' (Bob Baker)
Kiwi at Elliston in 1973 (Bob Baker)
Comments
Awesome story...Awesome life..
Wow what a great tribute
And then some.
Legendary. Great pictures - would love to see more.
That's the real deal. Epic life. Makes today's travelers seems like fluff.
RIP K
Classic. What else can you say.
RIP
A life well lived. RIP.
He was a inspiration to us all. Only saw him last year and he was was still first out at the right at Cactus when it was on. Not bad for a bloke in his 70's! Loved listening to his tales of the west coast in the old days. RIP Kiwie.
always talked about his surf trips with the kids , hopefully his spirit of adventure and stoke rubs off a little on all us and the kids that were lucky enough to meet him .
Great tribute, Stu. Kiwie (his spelling) was one of a kind, a bloke your warmed to at first meeting and could resume the conversation a decade later. He gave Peter Troy a nudge for best-travelled Australian surfer back in the day, and always left a light footprint. He'll be missed by surfers the world over.
I'm pretty sure that spelling only came about because he forgot the password to his first Facebook account :)
South Aussie ledge. Vale.
What a surfers life!
R.I.P you legend
What an incredible surfing life. Amazing.
Classic story and photos. What a life.
Great read, much respect. R.I.P
That's what it's all about right there. RIP 'ol mate. Thanks for the inspiration the one time our paths crossed. An indelible mark was made. Gratitude.
RIP Kiwi
Our paths only crossed once surprisingly and at our favourite right. Had a great chat about lots really but mainly the promised land. Funnily enough I often thought about you. For a 70 year old you surfed bloody good. I was devastated to see this article but great to see you affected so many. I just had to register and comment!
Bye mate
love them photos and the fins tell a story. anyone know what the first fins where called?
Skegs, or if you go way back - rudders?
Inspirational, a life well lived.
RIP.
Wow, what a champ and a legend for South Australia and the Country in General for surfing .
Fantastic history!
RIP.
Thank you “Swellnet” for the sad but moving story about a true Australian surf hero.
From Hucky.
What a walk down memory lane. Some classic photos.
But a sad reminder of the legacy from the Blue Sky Mining Company.
Peter Pan of Surfing. Eternal and ever young surf grommet.Shared times and waves out west were special. Had a wave for you on Thursday am.RIP
In the end the rain comes down
Beautiful tribute. Did they cross paths at all Phil Jarratt. Kiwie,s life story would be awesome to read.
Wasn't familiar but great story and RIP. And yes to more of those photos, fabulous shots.
Sounds like he had a wonderful life to cherish in those last months as he realised he was dying. That makes me feel he went out like he lived. He left a great template, lots of stoked crew who met him.
I love the shot of Lennox before the coast road went in and the little track went down through the cow paddock to the point.
RIP Kiwi.
Sad loss, one of the friendliest fellas you'd ever meet. His love of life, fair-mindedness and curiosity of different cultures, with an ability to communicate evenly with people from all walks of life, is an inspiration for all traveling surfers. Far west coast of South Oz was his spiritual retreat. Condolences to all who loved and knew him. Long will he be remembered.
RIP young fella .Loved your stories
Love the photos from this era - always makes me a) wish I was born into that epoch and b) that I’d have been brave enough to make surfing the centre of my life when it was not a mainstream choice
Also great to hear underground stories of characters like this who must’ve pursued a surfing life for nothing more than the adventures and thrills it entailed - beautifully uncomplicated by the duplicities and hypocrisies of the modern incantation
You can’t wind back the clock, but I reckon there’s still some opportunities to taste moments of the same unsoiled bliss if you make it your priority and seek it out, and these stories make me look back wistfully and gratefully for peak periods in my own surfing life
Didn’t know you kiwi but I appreciate the chance to glimpse into your life and thank you for the memories of my own it provoked - travelled ur coast only once, and it was a fortnight I treasure
RIP kiwi
Great story & pics - reminds me of the wild days of the mid70s driving across the Nullarbor from Perth in eyeball baking heat, searching for Cactus with my surfer boyfriend. First venture over the WA/SA border in the Holden station wagon, to southern & eastern shores......Kiwi must have been out there then, or beyond these shores. May this amazing soul, surf on.......
Vale Kiwi, a life well-lived by the sound of it. I love the look of that Mexican 7'6" and the bottom turn at Sunset is timeless.
Well done, Kiwi.
And well done, Stu. That was a fine tribute.
I bet Kiwi’s up there sharing a yarn with Peter Troy and Keith Paull
Spent a month on a boat doing a tuna tow with him when I was early 20’s.
Awesome fella, great storyteller and extremely selfless.
7 blokes six bunks “ I’ll sleep on the top deck “ he says. What about rain and sea spray? “ I’ll use that old tarp if it gets too much and I like the fresh air, you blokes take the bunks”.
A few weeks later we get in some real shit. Mechanical dramas in horrendous weather. Skipper calls us to the bridge to put survival suits on. 6 suits 7 blokes fuck here we go again. “ you blokes put them on I’ll wear my dive suit and use a life ring if it comes to that” he says.
“ how are you going to check out the places I’ve been telling you about if you don’t put it on , ive lived a full life now no more arguing “
That was 20 years ago and I bet he did more travel and surfing than me in that time.
A normal bloke cold not cramm that much surf, experience and friendship in 10 lifetimes.
Will be missed by everyone here and worldwide
RIP KIWI
You summed Kiwi up - Kiwi went hard at everything he did but was always considerate of others
It's blokes like Kiwie that cemented surfing into my life 55 years ago. Selfless, generous, eyes on the horizon always. There's a gentleman we have lost.
fantastic images. what an interesting and inspirational character.
love to see some of him surfing as an old bloke
Not sure on the date of this, but I suspect it's within the last five years.
Yep that's in the Phillipines just before Super Typhoon Haiyan moved in, he got out of there just in time, so a bit over 6 years ago. Ripping.
Here is a link to Kiwi’s funeral service today. Feel free to share so people can pay their respects...
For those who are unable to attend in person:
Sophie White is inviting you to join Kiwi White's funeral service via videolink:
The meeting online will be available from
- Tuesday 23rd June 12:45pm CENTRAL AUSTRALIA TIME ZONE (South Australia)
Funeral service commences at 13:00hrs (1pm)
Join with this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85627941254
Other time zones please take note of starting time:
- 13:15hrs Australian Eastern Standard Time
- 11:15hrs Australian Western Time
- 12:15hrs Japan Time
- 23:15hrs Washington DC Time
Please check the start time if you are in other time zones.
Meeting ID: 856 2794 1254
INSTRUCTIONS:
You don't need to have a ZOOM account to participate (but fine if you have one)
1. Click on the link above
2. If you have the ZOOM app downloaded, click on 'open zoom.us' in the pop-up window
3. If you cannot download or run the application, join from your browser.
Please bear with us and hold tight if you join the meeting before we do!
Please ensure that your MICROPHONE remains muted throughout.
Kind Regards
Sophie and Robyn
Hands down the best article I've read on Swellnet. Cool guy. Traveler. Charger... I wish I'd met him. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Kiwi was an adventurer who would have crack at just about anything. Enthusiastic, positive and energetic. Kiwi had a knack of including everyone in whatever was going on around him. It was a privilege to have chatted to and surfed with Kiwi over four and a half decades of surf missions up the coast where we seemed to cross paths randomly. Cheers to a great bloke that gave life as good a nudge as you can give it. Kiwi will be remembered by many for a long time to come.
R.I.P. ‘KIWI.’What a great & adventurous life,a great example to us all.
Photos absolutely amazin,.cool memories.