A LEGENDARY surfer from Australia who helped put Newquay on the global surfing map in the early 1980s has returned to the town.

Cheyne Horan gave a talk about his surfing career and shaping innovative surfboards, which was held at the Dead Famous on Sunday (May 19).

The 63-year-old, who is shaping boards at the Ocean Magic Surfboard Factory during his visit, was among the first professional surfers to visit Newquay.

Along with pro surfers including Shaun Thomson, Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew and Derek Hynd they competed in the Gul/Alder European Pro Am in 1981. Thousands of spectators flocked to watch the top international pros battle it out against the cream of British surfing talent.

The surf contest, which was jointly won by Cheyne and Rabbit, proved to be a seminal moment for both British surfing and the identity of the Newquay surf scene.

Cheyne spoke about how skateboarding influenced his surfing during his talk and that his number one priority was to go as fast as possible.

The innovator was the first surfer on the world tour to ride a shortboard and he felt that not conforming to the surfing of his peers cost him throughout career.

He went on to become the world championship tour runner up on four occasions and he felt he was marked down during contests because of his different style.

Later on in his career Cheyne explored big wave surfing and has dedicated himself to environmental activism.

Cheyne said: “I remember when they said the surf tour was coming to England. I did not know there was surf here. I had not seen any photos.

“I came here, and the event was great. We were so buzzed to get the tour started in Newquay and it was great to be shown all the local secret spots to surf.

“Now the event has become more of a local surf tour event after the mat was pulled from underneath.

“There is no reason why the Newquay should not be a pro surfing contest. It has a great atmosphere. I enjoyed coming to England.”