The Allan Byrne Story

Created by Clive Neeson from his feature film "LAST PARADISE".
Allan Byrne shares his personal story and wisdom as never captured before.
It's the story of how extreme sports was pioneered in 45 years of original footage.

[temotu]

Met Allan at Wainui Beach poss 68/69 and he took an interest in a new short Quane board I had, tried it and gave his seal of approval...great guy...

[CYBRCDZEN]

Good old days I miss it. A lot. If you're young enjoy everyday and surf as much as you can. These next Couple years probably be my last. Surfing gave me as a kid the best outlet to enjoy my days every day. True freedom. Time is short enjoy the ride.

[BakBasics]

!!
I'm almost 70.
Been dead 3 x.
Love everyday.
The local spot still "hates on me "....40 years later. I'm sharing this story with everyone !!
Thanks again

[patricknoveski]

This is my Genteration.We figure sht out.
I remember Alan coming to North Shore. He just loves the barrel.
What great history.
thank you. P.j. Rincon

[llollog]

Great watch sure remember spending time with Kevin Jarraett in the early 70s

[michaelscurr]

I wandered into a surf shop in Launceston 1988 looked at all the boards. I had been riding a wave ski no body liked me so I thought I better get a surfboard.
All the boards looked pretty average thinking back I didn’t know shit.
But there was a burning spears sitting on its own in the corner.
It belonged 2 Peter drouwn who at the time was studying at the Maratime college in George Town.
The shop owner said that’s Peter drouwns board he’s a surfing legend.
Well that was good enough for me.
My girlfriend at the time brought it for me for my 23rd birthday.
It was a 6’6 deep channel swallow tail.
Knowing what I know now and thinking back compared 2 the other boards it was a work of art.

I was involved in many sports at the time.
If I hadn’t seen that board I might not ever have surfed.
Thanks Alan Byrne and Peter drouwn.
You changed my life forever.

[caseyhansen]

Hamish Graham was making burning spears in California my friends and I got some .best boards especially in good waves. A.B. WAS A LEGEND HERE TOO.I remember seeing him at pipe on ABC sports

[deanmaddison]

Paddled out from Talle creek on a massive Burliegh swell around 25 years ago. Not real sure if I should have been there. Got out somehow and realised it was fricken massive. Waves were peaking probably 100m east of Sharkies. I was thinking about how I was getting in . Come across Al Byrne on my trip north., had a brief chat until a makkin set showed up. I head for Surfers while Al head for Cooly . Last I saw he was bottom turning into seriously heavy wave, didn't see him again . I was so happy to feel the sand at north burliegh. I wish I could have been that calm and confident.

[PedroDeBandit]

My first board was an Allan Byrne 6'8". How I wish I still had that board now, and not because of this doco, just because I made so many memories with it. Cheers Allan 🙏

[malcaithness]

One of the greatest friend's I've ever known. Period. Byrnesey shaped my blades for 25 plus year's. Never made a dud & he loved my commitment to the glide & lifestyle. My greatest memory is of sharing waves together & sitting around the family table planning tomorrow's escapades. AB was a true legend & mate, miss you my friend. Shout to the clan, DD, Scardy, Colonel, Sherwack, Stocksy, Littlewood, Smitty, Catty, Gringo, Shredder ... We're better humans for having known him.
Shout out to Jane & Dale you guy's must be sooo proud. Lotsa Love to the family.

[wombatone]

True surfing legend. I loved the old Morris j van, fj Holden and the Morris wagon. Cheers!

[lladnarkram]

I first used a leg rope in Mauritius in the late 60s. The local French guys showed me how to glass a lump on the back of my 6ft Van Straalen, drill a hole through it and thread a length of nylon cord ( cut from a local clothes line) through. The other end was tied to a handkerchief that was tied around my ankle.

[mikthe]

How awesome would it have been to be one of the early surfers, and to actually travel around and discover a surf spot and be the first to surf it?? No crowds, no pressure, just pure enjoyment !! It must suck for those guys to see the ridiculous crowds at every decent surf spot these days?
I started surfing quite late in life - at 27, after playing other sports. Soon surfing was the priority. When I was made redundant from my government job in 1998 at 37, I vowed to never work in another job that would stop me from surfing in the morning - if it was good. In 2005 I became an arvo shift bus driver, so my mornings were always free. The perfect surfing job!! I retired from that job in 2021 after a knee replacement. My rehab was mainly to get my left knee to bend quick enough to surf again, and I've been surfing with no problems. 61 this year, and may need to work again, but I'll still make sure any job won't stop me surfing.

[benhulme]

God I wish I had been a surfer in the 60s. What an era.

[klixplus]

AB was a great man and I am so glad this movie is around so he will never be forgotten. Beers down and the factory and training with all the crew, some great memories

[tonycoker]

Saw him surfing at the 87 Billabong pro at Sunset Beach Oahu.

[klaiejah]

Watching this brought a smile and a sad/sweet nostalgia... turn 60 this year and still riding shortboards. SW Western Australia, I recall when you could rock up at premier breaks and there would be no-one or a just a couple of guys. So blessed...

[scotthockenhull]

Awesome bro saw you way back in 1981 I think or maybe 1979 goldcoast burly .we where young kiwis staying at Rudd park living off meat pies and beers .gr8 dayz

[markusbroyles]

I had the privilege of holding a few blanks for Allan while he shaped on Oahu courtesy of Darrick . This was just as the movie "In God's Hands" was finalizing editing. He listened as I revealed some concepts and thoughts. It was a great moment for me. He was a great surfer and shaper. Glad I got to hang out for a few ticks of the clock. Aloha ~

[kauaifishing]

Beautiful story. All Glory to Lord Jesus read 1 Corinthians 15. The Gospel of Jesus Christ