Phillip Island Boardriders Club captain Jake Eisen has written a heartfelt tribute to local surfing legend Neil Luke, who passed away on February 4.

My first memories of Neil Luke go way back to when I was about 12 years old. At the time, he still had a bit of hair and was built like a nugget; stocky, powerful, and always ready to charge. To a grom, Neil was intimidating. After all, he was a former world champion. Sharing the lineup with a guy like that was a big deal, and I remember thinking he was untouchable.

But as I got older, I realised Neil wasn't just a fearsome competitor, he was one of the most approachable guys you would ever meet. He had a way of making people feel welcome, especially groms who were just starting out. A little nod of encouragement, a quiet word in the line-up — "You are ripping, mate" — meant everything.

Neil was a fierce competitor with an unstoppable drive. He was crowned the World Kneeboard Champion in 1983 (the same year Tom Carroll won the stand-up division), proving he could take on the best and come out on top.

He had that classic never-give-up attitude, fighting right until the very last second of every heat. And that wasn't just in the water it was how he lived his life.

Despite his competitive streak, he was always up for a chat; a unique character, and also a mentor and friend to many.

Express Point

For Neil, Express Point was more than just a wave, it was his wave. He lived and breathed it, spending countless hours out there, mastering every section, every barrel, every line.

He used to talk about how Express had changed over the years.

Back in the day, it had two distinct sections, and if you timed it right, you could link them together. Now, it's just one short section, still just as heavy, but different from its prime. That never stopped him from charging it; he knew that wave better than anyone.

Anyone who surfed Express during Neil's reign knew they were sharing the water with someone who understood it on a deeper level. He had a connection to it that few could match, and his surfing there was a reflection of everything he stood for — power, precision, and pure love for the ocean.

Neil's love affair with the ocean started on Phillip Island, particularly at Kitty Miller Bay, with his famous saying: "Any wind, any tide, you will get a barrel, you will get a ride".

Those words still ring true today. Locals even dubbed it V-Bay after Neil, whose nickname was Vegie.

Shaping

Before moving to Phillip Island, Neil ran Crafted Creations, his original surf shop on the Mornington Peninsula. Even then, his passion for board design and craftsmanship was evident.

At the time, Russell Francis was shaping Neil's boards, and their relationship naturally evolved into mentorship. Russell, who was based where Islantis Surf Shop stands today, couldn't keep up with kneeboard orders, so he decided to teach Neil how to shape.

Before heading off on a trip to Cactus, Russell wrote down the one to 10 steps of shaping a surfboard, handed them to Neil, and left him to work it out on his own.

That moment marked the beginning of Neil's lifelong passion for the art of surfboard making. From that point on, he was constantly refining designs, experimenting with fins, and chasing the perfect board.

Neil always spoke highly of Russell Francis and Stuart Maxwell, who had Offshore Surf Shop, where he began fixing dings and learning the ropes from Russell, whom he said stood over him like a mother.

When Russell split from Offshore and set up Amber Glow, Neil went with him. When Russell went up to work for Dick Van Straalen, Neil went over to Island Surfboards where he stayed for 35 years, leaving an undeniable mark on the industry.

Whether it was dialling in performance boards, experimenting with fin setups, or simply passing on his knowledge in the shaping and polishing bay, he helped define the style of boards that suited Victorian waves. His craftsmanship wasn't just about making boards, it was about making boards that worked.

Competitor, coach and mentor

Neil represented Victoria 15 times and loved competing, but even more than that, he loved coaching and mentoring young surfers.

He was Phillip Island's team coach for over a decade, guiding countless surfers in competition, training, and mindset.

His time as Victorian State Team Coach was something he saw as a privilege, and his impact on the next generation of surfers was immense.

He mentored surfers across Victoria, helping shape the careers of many who would go on to represent the state and beyond.

Neil loved coaching.

More than just pushing his surfers to improve, he built an atmosphere where surfers felt supported, motivated, and proud to represent Phillip Island.

Whether it was in a heat, at a training session, or just out in the lineup, he knew how to create a team spirit that made everyone feel part of something bigger.

His strategic mind was one of his greatest strengths, and he always believed his surfers were just as good as anyone else. His advice was legendary:

• Whatever you do, don't surf conservatively.
• Whatever you do, don't fall off.
• You can do it, "you just gotta keep at it".
• Don't look at other people — position means possession.

These words still resonate today and will continue to guide those who had the privilege of hearing them firsthand.

Legacy

Neil Luke wasn't just a world champion, a shaper, or a coach. He was a mentor, a friend, and a true surfing icon.

He was as St Kilda-mad as they come, loved footy as much as he loved waves, and had a passion for travelling, competing, and pushing others to be their best.

His love for surfboard shaping was a lifelong obsession that left a mark on countless surfers.

Neil's bond with Express Point ran deep, and his friendships with the Craike brothers and the Ryan brothers helped make Phillip Island what it is today.

The tight-knit surfing community on the island was shaped by characters like Neil, people who lived and breathed the sport, shared their knowledge, and pushed the next generation forward.

Neil wasn't just a figure in Victorian surfing, he was a pillar of it. His impact will live on for generations.

Neil, your legacy in the water and beyond will never be forgotten.