Lou Morath

Surf Lifesaving

Lou Morath was a pioneer surf lifesaver and board rider.

He was a member of the Balmoral Beach Club from its formation in 1914, and captain from 1929-30. He was Club Champion three times and won its premier swimming event 'The Jack Cox Memorial 1500' a record five times.

His father, EO Morath, was a member of the first committee of the Balmoral Beach Club and his two brothers, Clem and Vin, were also leading surfers and swimmers.

All were friends of Duke Kahanamoku who pioneered surfboard riding in Australia.

Lou was a member of the first Australian surf lifesaving team to visit Hawaii in 1939. In addition to reresenting Australia at the Pacific Games in 1939, Lou won many surfboard championships in the 1930s.

One of the surfboards he rode in Hawaii has been restored and mounted in the Balmoral Beach Club.

Lou was a member of Manly Surf Life Saving Club from the early 1930s until his death.