More than 500 surfers hit the waves at Michael Peterson’s beloved Kirra Point on Saturday morning to return the big man to the place where he was most at home.
It was one of the biggest paddleouts on the Coast in a very long time as well known stars of the sport, past and present, paddled shoulder to shoulder with people who just surf to relax.
“The paddleout for MP (Michael Peterson) was an amazing gathering of the tribe that is the surfing community,” Tweed Coast Weekly surf writer Terry Teese said.
“Surfers from four or more generations turned out to pay homage to a man who turned the surfing world on its ear with his radical style and new approach to riding waves.”
“The 500 surfers there to pay their respects, included three world champions; Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, and Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew.
“Wayne and Mick speaking on the microphone among many others, with all paddling out to say goodbye, to the man that showed all how Kirra should be surfed.”
His ashes were spread during the moving tribute and finally MP was back out in the line-up at his beloved Kirra.
The event was a final goodbye for the Tweed-based legend who died last month. It coincided with the annual MP Classic surf event held at this time of year every year.
