Couper, Gail (1947 – )

Invincible Australian surfing competitor of the 1960s and '70s from Lorne, Victoria; five-time national champion, and 10-time winner of the prestigious Bells Beach event; described by surf writer Sean Doherty as "the greatest Bells surfer of all time."

Couper was born (1947) in Melbourne, the daughter of future Australian Surfriders Association president Stan Couper, and began surfing at age 14, after moving with her family to Lorne, not far from Bells. Neighbor and fellow surf prodigy Wayne...