Tommy Peterson, a revered figure in Australian surfing, passed away just days after celebrating his 71st birthday. Known for his significant contributions to surfboard design, Peterson’s legacy is firmly cemented in the history of the sport. He died of a heart attack at his home on the Gold Coast, leaving behind a profound impact on generations of surfers.
Peterson, the younger brother of the iconic Michael Peterson, is most famously credited with creating the Fireball Fish, a surfboard that reshaped the landscape of surfing. His boards, innovative and unorthodox, influenced the trajectory of surfboard design. A master craftsman, Peterson was known for pushing boundaries with his bold designs. His death marks the end of an era for many within the surfing world, who will remember him not just for his work, but for the unique, quintessentially Australian character he embodied.
Mason Ho, a prominent surfer, fondly recalled his interactions with Peterson in a piece for Stab several years ago. “My dad used to hang with him and MP back in the day,” Ho said. “Every time I see Tommy I’m like, ‘What’s up uncle?!’ I’ll ask him about whatever I’m into at the time.” Ho’s admiration for Peterson was evident, particularly when he inquired about the legendary 5’7” Fireball Fish board that Tom Curren had ridden in 1994, during his groundbreaking session at Bawa.
The Fireball Fish, with its thick square rails and a set of channels that abruptly end before the tail, became a symbol of innovation in the surfboard world. Ho reminisced, “I asked Tommy about the board, and he ended up making me one in three days. It has a lot of sentimental value.”
However, the Fireball Fish’s significance extends far beyond personal memories. Peterson’s genius bridged eras, connecting some of surfing’s greatest performers across decades. In the mid-70s, the Peterson brothers were at the forefront of radical surfing, with Michael pushing the limits of performance on innovative boards crafted by Tommy. Their collaboration defined an era of bold, stylish surfing.
By the early 90s, surfers like Tom Curren were following a similar path, seeking new ways to explore the limits of performance. After stepping away from competitive surfing, Curren embarked on a journey to explore innovative designs, one of which was the Fireball Fish. On a historic Rip Curl Search trip to Indonesia in 1994, Curren applied the 5’7” board to remarkable effect, capturing footage that continues to inspire surfers today.
The Fireball Fish story took an interesting turn when it was initially intended for the Gold Coast’s Jay Phillips. However, after Phillips lost his claim to the board, Curren took it on his Search adventure. Later, in New South Wales, Curren passed the board on to Daniel Thomson, marking another key moment in its history. The Fireball Fish eventually found its way back to the surfing community decades later, influencing surfers like Mason Ho. Ho, like Curren before him, used the board in diverse conditions, from Pipe to Waimea Shorebreak, and was deeply impressed by its durability.
“The thing is, it’s about more than a surfboard. It’s like this little piece of living history,” Ho shared. “I don’t think I’m going to ride it again; I’ve put it away, safe and sound.”
Tommy Peterson, alongside his late brother Michael, leaves behind a family and a legacy that will be remembered for generations. The Peterson family, including their mother Joan, mourns the loss of Tommy. The entire Gold Coast and Australian surfing community joins in remembering a true original who changed the sport forever.
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