Vale Phyllis O'Donnell (1937-2024)
It may be hard to believe, but Australia's first world champion only began surfing four years earlier, taking up the sport at the advanced age of 23.
"I was a late bloomer and don’t really know why I took up surfing but I did. When I first started in Sydney, I could hardly paddle,” said Phyllis O'Donell in 2018.
She and her older sister bought a board from Nock & Kirby - a hardware store - and began surfing Freshwater regularly, with the younger O'Donell quickly advancing.
"In those days when you were surfing with men, you had to be aggressive because there were only a hand full of women on boards at the beach," she said.
In 1964, Phyllis was invited to the first world titles at Manly Beach, riding the hardware shop board ("It was a Joe Larkin") through the main event.
"There were 50,000 people on the beach that day and no-one thought I could beat the American champ Linda Benson, but I did.”
Phyllis styling her way to the '64 world title
The ladies were scheduled before the men meaning Phyllis was Australia's first world champion, being crowned an hour before Midget Farrelly did the same for the men. Midget was six years younger than O'Donell.
“Back in the day, we’d often get cigarettes and a trophy for winning an event, occasionally we’d also get money but you could guarantee you’d take home a pack of Craven As’.”
Phyllis went on to win the Australian national women’s titles in 1964 and 1965, plus eight Queensland State titles after she moved to Tweed Heads in the mid-60s. Phyllis retired from competition in 1974. In 1996, she was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame in 1996. The second woman inducted - Isobel Letham being the first.
In the early hours of November 6th, Phyllis died. A world champion and classic Australian character.
Comments
Wow what a character.
Nice write up in Tracks.
https://tracksmag.com.au/a-tribute-to-phyllis-odonnell-1937-2024
rip Phyllis, to surf in that era would of been amazing, you are a bright shinning light in a male dominated sport. the shit u would of had to put up with, what a amazing, talented, strong spirit you were and still are
RIP Phyllis a true surfing legend.....great story above at tracks mag....
RIP Phyllis
Hope Bupa gave her free scones for life. How was old mate running over the woman...whaat!
RIP. Phyllis, trailblazer.
Today’s WSL would be envious of a 50,000 spectator crowd.
Sounds like the only advertising , if any, may have been for ‘darts’. AW
Wow.. RIP .. legend..
RIP Phyllis.
Inspirational, adaptable, gifted; a zen surf spirit styling in boardshorts.
“I used to love surfing alongside dolphins and have always felt like the beach belonged to everyone, ...”
“If a girl or bloke needed help as a surfer, then I’d help them,” she said.
https://media.bupa.com.au/breaking-waves-and-barriers-for-women-surfers/
"but what happened is, they started to play some really nice music, and I totally relaxed. I just swayed along to the music, jazzed along the waves – I didn’t even know I was in a contest anymore.”
"Phyll travelled to Hawaii, California and the South Pacific, but it was Puerto Rico, that stole her heart."
"But Hawaii is Phyllie’s first love. She’s been 18 times, loves to surf Sunset, and if ever, throughout her life, she has found herself floundering, her mantra goes like this: If in doubt, go to Hawaii." Track magazine references above from Mick.
RIP Trailblazer.
Grew up as an 8 ur old grom surfing with her ,often, at Rainbow Bay in the late 60's. A connection made with my father's surfing world. Over the ensuing years she still held an influence with our families friendship.
A true beauty of our lifestyle & a real trailblazer in core women's surfing in this country. Her memory will always be cherished in my recollections of the journey. An absolute legend.
Thanks for everything you brought to surfing, humbled in ur presence & now sad in ur passing. The world is a lesser place ...
Mal. Hi mate.
Nice little insight into your connection and a snapshot of our/your (surfing) history.
A true testament to an enduring soul. Still laughing on the outside and smiling on the inside.
What I loved in that video was , she was still dressing like a surfer, like all of us, thinking we are way cooler than most. All the best. AW
What a photo of her ‘stylin her way to the 64 world title’
I think most have a mental picture of midget doing a graceful drop knee cutback with arms raised on the same day … whilst also a great photo I think phyliss’ looks like a better wave, she’s deep, in full trim and on the nose of her board - can’t believe it’s the first time I’ve seen it and says a lot about the backgrounding of women’s achievements that it’s not equally as famous an image
What a legend - commiserations to all who knew and loved her
Actually
My wife wants to source a print of that image if possible … if anyone can direct us to where we might be able to purchase - cheers all
She set the foundation of success of Aussie ladies surfing. Legend !
I have a full interview of her i shot some 15 years ago. I'll have to dig it up.
Yes please
+ 1
Please do Tim.
I surfed with Phyllis on the Gold Coast in the 70's, she was always respected that I can recall mainly because she always made the wave. A true ambassador for surfers all over the world!
Well its time we wrote her biography, sad that we didn't while Phyllis was alive.
RIP Vale
So not only was the first person in Australia to surf a woman, so was our first world champ.
Come on Surf media/Industry, you're a bit slow giving women their due credit. What else is hiding in our history of surfing??
"So not only was the first person in Australia to surf a woman"
I assume you're referring to Isobel Letham surfing with the Duke in 1915?
Tommy Walker had already been surfing Yamba for a few years previous to that.
@stunet
I assume you're referring to Isobel Letham surfing with the Duke in 1915?
Tommy Walker had already been surfing Yamba for a few years previous to that.
Yes, I was,
but obviously I was wrong. Thanks for the fact check.
It perhaps deserves its own thread...maybe even its own article, but there's photographic evidence of Tommy Walker surfing in 1909. There's some conjecture that others surfed even before him.
Though the Duke didn't bring surfing here, there was still Hawaiian influence: Walker's board was made in Waikiki and brought home via a ship he was working on.
To give an idea how widespread surfing was pre-Duke, I found letters to the editor complaining about boardriders in my local area, which in the early 1900s would have been very lightly populated.
In 1913, Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club appealed to Bulli Council to regulate “boards shooting waves in the surf,” and in 1914 Austinmer resident C. W. Stirling wrote to the council about “the use of surfing boards at Austinmer beach" that endangered surf bathers. Both of these complaints were made before the Duke’s visit.
yes, please! (better knock it out quick now you've flagged it, before an article pops up elsewhere..)
- any idea the sorts of things they might have been riding @stu ?
The Duke's board was carved from solid sugar pine, measuring roughly 10ft and weighed around 30kg. From photos, Tommy Walker's appears to be similar dimensions though would've been Hawaiian wood.
Later Aussie boards were 16ft toothpicks, chambered to bring down weight.
Go for it Stu! Potential article is extremely important, even if discovered primary sources are sparse presently (they can be added to as sources are examined), for it outlines a previous unacknowledged generation of surfers in Australia in comparison to what is presently accepted as known. That's furthering history!
Also, it being brought to light by letters of complaint in the newspapers, you have also discovered Karens in the years 1900-15 which itself is an achievement.
Maybe Freeride could put a piece together? Phyllis would make for a fascinating story.
In between monitoring frogs.
Edit; the Tracks tribute was pretty good.
Carry on.
RIP Phyllis,
She certainly made her presence felt in a male dominated era.
And well travelled as well.
What a character!!
What an iconic shot that is from the 1964 comp!
RIP Legend. I am sure Snowy will be happy to see you again......