After returning home to Australia in 1975 from extended travels to Bali, Indonesia and Hawaii, Phil and his brothers, Dave and Chris realised that they were all very addicted to the sport of surfing. Dave had won the Bells Beach junior contest, Chris was the Australian junior and world junior title, and Phil was shaping for local manufacturers in Australia and again in Hawaii.

Pro surfing was starting to develop, and as Dave was a surfboard glasser, they decided to set up their own surf board brand. This is how Byrne surfboards originated. Over the next few years they used the surfboard company as the base for travelling and competing. The brothers would travel to Hawaii each year to compete and the knowledge they gained went back into their surfboards. As a result, Byrne Surfboards became world class, attracting many surfers at the time to use them, Shaun Tompson and Larry Bertleman to name a few.

The surfboard company gave younger brother Chris the financial freedom to compete on the world circuit. After a time, his results were very strong, averaging 7th on the world tour in his final year before a back injury ended his career. At the same time that Chris was enjoying his success on the circuit, a young surfer by the name of Tom Carroll developed a keen interest in Chris’s boards and after a few surfs, ordered some of his own. This was the starting point of the Tom Carroll/Byrne relationship. The history of this is well documented and Tom went on to win two world pro titles riding Phil Byrne shapes and to this day still rides Phil Byrne shaped boards.

Because of Tom Carroll’s success and the notoriety of Phil Byrne’s shapes, a world demand developed for Byrne Surfboards. Realising this demand, other shapers around the world became interested in the Byrne image. At this present time, Byrne surfboards are available in most surfing countries throughout the world.

Other shapers including Michael Baron of the United States have contributed to the brand’s continued success. Throughout the last 25 years, Byrne has maintained its status as a premier world surfboard label by a constant stream for exceptional surfers, having great success on Byrne built equipment. These guys include surfers such as Rob Page, Marcus Brabant, Simon Law, Todd Prestage, Jeff Booth and more, most of who still choose to ride the boards today.

Byrne’s Department of Youth was once regarded as one of the best junior teams in the world. This team, previously spearheaded by Owen Wright (see our team profile), played a significant role in the refinement of Byrne surfboards and their performance on the world stage. Another valuable source of feedback for Byrne surfboard development came from our customers. They brought diverse surfing styles, and their insights helped shape an exceptional range of surfboards to meet the needs of all surfers, not just the pros.

The Byrne philosophy has always been to continuously improve surfboard development by maintaining strong communication with both our team and customers. This collaboration has helped enhance every surfer’s performance and enjoyment. After all, the better you surf, the more fun you have.

Nestled in the vibrant seaside village of Thirroul, Byrne Surf is Wollongong’s premier surf store, perfectly situated for surfers seeking quality gear and expert advice. Located just minutes from some of the Illawarra region's most iconic surfing beaches, our Thirroul store is a hub for the local surfing community and visitors alike.

Byrne Surf Thirroul offers an unmatched selection of custom-designed surfboards, wetsuits, and accessories (Sunscreen, beach towels, beach umbrellas, sunglasses, hats, swimsuit / swimwear, thongs, beach bags, backpacks, flasks or insulated bags, swim goggles or snorkeling gear, beach toys clothing, beach tents, bodyboards and more) tailored to suit surfers of all levels. With a focus on performance, durability, and innovation, we’re proud to provide the tools you need to make the most of Wollongong’s stunning coastline.

Our Thirroul location is more than just a surf store — with a coffee shop attached it’s a gathering place for surfers who share a passion for the ocean. Conveniently accessible for locals and tourists exploring the Wollongong area, Byrne Surf Thirroul is your gateway to an elevated surfing experience.

Whether you’re chasing the perfect wave, upgrading your surfboards and surf gear, or simply seeking advice from seasoned professionals, Byrne Surf Thirroul is the surf store you can trust to meet your needs. Stop by and see why we’re the go-to destination for surfing in Wollongong!