Ma and Pa Bendall Park

Ma and Pa Bendall Park overlooking Moffat beach is named after the Bendalls. In 1974, the inaugural 'Pa' Bendall Memorial Contest was organised as a mark of respect for Canadian Charles Ben (Pa) Bendall. Pa and wife Marjorie (Ma) settled in Caloundra in the 1950s. They lived at Harmony Court Flats on The Esplanade at Bulcock Beach. There were only a handful of other surfers living locally at the time. When the couple took up surfing aged in their early 50s, they were the oldest surfers out catching waves, thus the nicknames, Ma and Pa. They were the mother and father of surfing on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Australia. Pa formed the invitational 'Moffateers' in 1966 as a club to promote integrity and sportsmanship in the sport of surfing. He encouraged the surfing youth of the Sunshine Coast to maintain their good character, by offering them free membership to the club. Using the club contests as training and conditioning for more challenging contests, Pa encouraged the young Moffateers to compete in regional, state and national championships. Pa passed away in 1973 and his funeral service was conducted overlooking his beloved Moffat Beach waves, his ashes were scattered from a plane over the water. In August 1973, a memorial plaque was unveiled; in what is now known as the Ma and Pa Bendall Park, on Moffat Headland overlooking their favourite surf break. The contest is a memorial to the Bendalls enthusiasm for surfing and efforts in promoting the sport and encouraging the young surfers of Caloundra. The first Pa Bendall Memorial contest was held at Moffat Beach on the 2nd and 3rd February 1974 in three- 4-foot surf. First prize was $1500, the largest prize offered for any Australian surfing contest at the time. The competition attracted every professional surfer in the country including Wayne (Rabbit) Bartholomew, Simon Anderson and Hawaiian legend, Gerry Lopez, as well as hot local talent. The contest has been held for over 30 years as is now known as Pa and Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Competition and is organised by the Wind ‘N Sea Board Riders Club at their Moffat Headlands surf spot.. The competition has been a springboard for many young surfers moving into the professional ranks with past winners including Australian and World champions. A documentary on their lives celebrating early surfing known as Ma and Pa Bendall : Making Waves was produced by local film maker Michael Berry and funded by Caloundra City Council. Date named: 28 January 2003