Rodney Stevens
Angourie local and Australian surfing legend Monty Webber has lived a full and colourful life that he has documented in his Autobiography Is the Moon the Sun? – The Autobiography of a Time Rich Experience Junkie that will be officially launched at Yamba Cinema on Saturday, October 26.
Monty told the CV Independent prior to the launch of his latest book, the 2023 surf documentary ‘You Should Have Been Here Yesterday’, the title of which was taken from a classic comment in the iconic surf movie ‘The Endless Summer’, that his voice features in will be screened from 2.30pm.
After the film, Monty said he will be joining Jolyon and Thornton Fallander on stage for a question-and-answer session.
“I’ll also be selling and signing copies of my autobiography ‘Is the Moon the Sun?’, on the front veranda of the Yamba Cinema before the film and after the Q&A – from 2pm and then after the show again at around 4.10pm, plus I’ll be selling copies of my book for $30 each – please bring cash,” Monty said.
When he finished penning the Autobiography, Monty said he gave it to prolific author Geoff Daniel who wrote this review.
“Monty Webber became well known in Australian surfing as one of the six Webber brothers, respected for their creative contributions to surfing, surf-filmmaking and surfboard design,” Mr Daniel wrote.
“The Webber surfboard brand, started 50 years ago, became synonymous with innovative design.
“In the late 80’s, Monty became Tracks surfing magazine’s resident Hunter. S. Thompson.
“His thinly veiled autobiographical works of fictionalised non-fiction were popular with Tracks readers, who relished the politically incorrect exploits of the drug-addicted alcoholic ratbags who featured in most of his stories.
“Studying art at East Sydney Tech, like both of his parents, he became an exhibiting sculptor – Mr Webber helped Mrs Webber sculpt the bronze statue of a lifesaver that stands outside the Bondi Pavilion.
“Over the next few years, working in the arts, Monty developed into an accomplished writer, artist, and filmmaker.
“Untethered to any genre he wanders freely between a variety of artistic pursuits.”
Monty’s Autobiography Is the Moon the Sun? follows his short memoir Bondi Days, which is included in this book, which documents his experiences growing up in the highly competitive, yet self-destructive, surf culture of Bondi.
“Webber’s stories have a habit of triggering memories (fond or otherwise), as he recounts the adventures, romances, comedies and tragedies of his eventful life,” Mr Daniel wrote.
“His raw, gonzo style of writing invites the reader to take an imaginary vacation, alongside a self-described “experience junkie” with ample time on his hands.
“When the money runs out, the adventure begins,” he recalls reassuring his girlfriend, who had inadvertently sponsored his obsession with surfing, through Europe, via WA and Indonesia.
“Making it back to Paris, after he “painfully swapped two surfboards and a wetsuit, at a roadside diner in Biarritz, for a meal and a full tank of petrol,” they landed a month of paid work, spotlighting in France’s oldest circus, Cirque Bouglione.
“The book’s adventure-laden sixty-seven chapters (500 pages) is chock-full of film-worthy plots.”