1931 - 2019

Jack Eden learned to surf at Bondi in 1958 with his brothers and led the first generation of Australian surf photographers, capturing iconic images of the sport’s legends for his ‘Surfabout’ magazine, which became an archetype for surf publishing across the world.

Growing up in a big family in the suburb of Sans Souci before the Captain Cook Bridge was built, the eastern suburbs beaches were easier to access. Eden surfed and took up photography in 1958.

Waterproof cameras were not available in this era, so a boat-builder neighbour helped him design an Australian first underwater camera housing that let him capture dramatic angles in the surf and keep his equipment dry.

Eden’s career soon took off and he sold his photographs to magazines around the globe. In 1962, he set up ‘Surfabout ‘magazine and published 24 editions until 1968.

His images captured the cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s and the era’s surf greats including Midget Farrelly, Scott Dillon, Bluey Mayes, Nat Young and Mick Dooley, all of whom became Eden’s friends. He was one of the few photographers who shot from the water and his images of the 1964 world titles at Manly were ground-breaking.

Describing Eden’s legacy, the surfing legend Midget Farrelly said: ‘Jack caught many of the major players of this era on his black and white film. His precision images truly convey the uniqueness of a never-to-be-repeated pioneer period in Australian surfing life. Suddenly, new characters appeared in the surf - skills, dress, cars, music and attitudes were created that reflected a carefree lifestyle.’

The National Maritime Museum says that Eden’s surf photographs gave the movement an ‘effective and thrilling voice. The sights, sounds, styles, energies and politics of surfing culture exploded. Especially in popular music. Wipeout!’

Eden’s collection of work was celebrated in the Surfabout exhibition at the Western Australian Museum in 1997. He has been included on the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame’s honour roll and received the Australian Sports Medal from the Queen for his significant contribution to the sport of surfing.

Images courtesy of the Jack Eden Collection.