Captain Goodvibes

While the US press birthed the prototype of the surf mag cartoon character — Griffin’s “Murphy” — Australia’s Tracks magazine delivered a version as dirty, scurrilous, and profane as their Cockney-ripped slang. His name was Captain Goodvibes and he was instantly embraced, indeed loved. This flatulent wonderpig became a standard bearer for the National surf consciousness. He got tubed. He rooted incessantly. He “sat on his ring and swilled gin.” He was a dole-bludging, untrustworthy lay-about with nothing on his mind beyond the next drink, the next swell, and the ripest sow he could hustle. Raise your glass to the heavens and oink.