Nat Young won the 1966 World Surfing Championships, with rival David Nuuhiwa finishing a distant 12th. But had this been any other amateur-age world championships—'64, '65, '68, '70 or '72—Nuuhiwa would have won. Why? Because in 1966, and ONLY in 1966, contest organizers used a three-event format. The opening event finished up in long semi-wedging lefts at Mission Beach Jetty. David won, Nat was runner-up. That could have been the whole deal, done and dusted, right there. But the second event at Ocean Beach was Nat's all the way, with David out in the prelims, and at that point Nat had the title in the bag regardless of what happened in the third and final event.

All fair and square. Nat played the game perfectly, rode with power and panache, and deserved every accolade that came his way. He was the most progressive, most complete surfer in the world, and would remain so for another few years.

"7 Earth Shattering Days," Surfing magazine's coverage of the event, is presented here, along with a new short video.

For high drama and outstanding performance, for heart-warming victory and heartbreaking defeat, the 1966 World Championships has set a mark as being the most memorable competition in surfing history.

San Diego, California, welcomed the teams from Peru, Australia, Mexico, England, New Zealand, France, West Coast U.S., Hawaii, South Africa, East Coast U.S., Ireland, and India with open arms and provided first class accommodations. The Ocean Beach Pier area was jammed all day during the semi-finals and finals with cheering and excited fans. The World Contest Committee, led by chairman Brennan “Hevs” McClelland, did a tremendous job in organizing and keeping a contest of this size on schedule.

The competition was the keenest in the three-year history of the event, which began in Australia in 1964. This year a five-judge international system was used, with the highest and lowest score in each heat being rejected. This assured that no single judge with a built-in prejudice could affect the final score.

The biggest complaint lodged by contestants in any surfing contest is that when there is no surf, the event must take place anyway. The 1966 contest eliminated this problem by holding a three-day event over a seven-day period, and at no preassigned location.

There were many memorable moments during the championships, but there are two men who will doubtless live for years in the minds of thousands. Billed as top rivals and the men to beat before the meet began, David Nuuhiwa of the United States West Coast Team, and Robert “Nat” Young of Australia, were brought face to face in somewhat neutral waters. Nuuhiwa edged Young in the first day of competition in a driving left at the South Mission Jetty. After finishing second the first day, people were wondering if Nat could make a comeback in the six-foot right slide at Ocean Beach. Nat’s determination set the surfing world straight, as he handily won the second day of competition, and a twist of fate eliminated David Nuuhiwa. With a scoring system based on a rider’s best five waves, David caught only four waves in the preliminary heat and finished third. The first and second place winners advanced to the semi-finals for that day and Nuuhiwa had to wait till the third day for a chance to qualify

The points collected in the first two days automatically seeded four riders into the finals. They were Nat Young, Australia, Jock Sutherland, Steve Bigler, and Corky Carroll. The remaining contestants competed in a third day of competition to fill the two remaining berths in the finals. Obviously shook by the turn of events the day before, Nuuhiwa squeaked through with a win in his morning preliminary heat. Now with the pressure on and all eyes squarely on him, Nuuhiwa simply seemed to press himself too hard and finished a dejected third for the day, and out of contention.

As it turned out, Nat Young had already accumulated enough points in the first two days of competition that he only had to enter the water and finish last on the final day to clinch the crown. But this was the young Australian’s contest, and he didn’t want it said that he just backed his way into the title. He surfed with all the grace and beauty that had won him the Australian Championships the month before, and placed himself number one in the world. Nat was all the more deserving, because he won it in someone else’s backyard.

1966 World Surfing Championships results, with point totals.

MEN
1. Nat Young 293 Australia
2. Jock Sutherland 230 Hawaii
3. Corky Carroll 223 U. S. West
4. Steve Bigler 209 U. S. West
5. Rodney Sumpter 182 England
6. Bernard Farrelly 174 Australia
7. Herb Fletcher 162 U. S. West
8. Dru Harrison 155 U. S. West
9. Rusty Miller 148 U. S. West
10. Jeff Hakman 148 Hawaii
11. Mike Doyle 148 U. S. West
12. David Nuuhiwa 144 U. S. West
13. Skip Frye 141 U. S. West
14. John Peck 133 U. S. West
15. Peter Drouyn 125 Australia
16. Leroy Ah Choy 111 Hawaii
17. Jackie Eberle 91 Hawaii
18. Gary Propper 87 U. S. East
19. Jimmy Lucas 81 Hawaii
20. Paul Strauch 69 Hawaii
21. Kiki Spangler 69 Hawaii
22. Donald Takayama 69 U. S. West
23. Claude Codgens 57 U. S. East
24. Jean Marie Lartigau 51 France
25. Tommy McRoberts 51 U. S. East

WOMEN
1. Joyce Hoffman 86 U. S. West
2. Joey Hamasaki 70 U. S. West
3. Mimi Munro 54 U. S. East
4. Gail Couper 54 Australia
5. Josette Lagardere 50 U. S. West
6. Phyllis O’Donnell 46 Australia
7. Kathy Fuller 44 Hawaii
8. Kathy Lacroix 32 U. S. East
9. Sharon Weber 25 Hawaii
10. Renee Eisler 18 U. S. East

TEAM PADDLE
1. USA West
2. Hawaii
3. South Africa

SIX-MILE PADDLE
1. Kiki Spangler - Hawaii
2. Jock Sutherland - Hawaii
3. Corky Carroll - U. S. West
4. John Peck - U. S. West

CATAMARAN SURFING
1. Tom Carlyn, Mickey Munoz, & Rusty Miller
2. Bruce Brown & Hobie Alter

TANDEM
1. Pete Peterson & Barrie Algau
2. Jack Iverson & Susie Smith
3. Mike Doyle & Sandy Gray

WATCH AND READ: "7 WORLD SHATTERING DAYS," SURFING MAG COVERS 1966 TITLES

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