“Only One MP:” Mick Fanning, Tom Curren, Joel Parkinson and More to Judge Cutback Contest for the Ages

Aside from parking it in the tube, the frontside cutback may be the quickest, most democratic way to identify a well-rounded surfer. Not everyone can huck an air reverse, but anyone can attempt to engage their heelside rail and turn back toward the lip. Some do it better and with heaps more flare than others.

One of the best OGs to hook their board back to the pocket was Michael Peterson, the eccentric, reclusive and cutting-edge Queenslander who cemented his legacy in global competitions and thundering Kirra. Matt Warshaw’s Encyclopedia of Surfing describes MP as follows: “Pyrotechnic Australian regularfooter from Queensland's Gold Coast; winner of the Australian National Titles in 1972 and 1974; regarded by many as the world's most advanced high-performance surfer during the mid-'70s. Michael Peterson, brimming with talent, ambition, and street-procured drugs, was as compelling a figure as the sport has ever produced, equal parts brilliant and disturbed.”

Related: RIP Michael Peterson | 1952-2012

Peterson passed away in 2012, and it was in his spirit that Kirra regulars Simon Saffigna and Daniel Carmichael came up with the Only One MP Classic Cutback Challenge. It’s as simple and brilliant as the name suggests: A video entry contest where the only thing that matters is the cutback. Rather than pontificating on the cliché of the turn’s timeless qualities, I suggest you do yourself a favor and browse the entries here. You may find some familiar favorites and some new ones that will raise both eyebrows.

Saffigna and Carmichael allowed the clips to come from any time period. The entries will be divided into various categories for men, women, boys, girls and most innovative. The three-month window closed in September, and Saffigna said they received a whopping 500 entries. The clip below is just a taste.

But who has enough chops to judge cutties 50 years apart? Only sic of the best to ever lay a frontside wrap: Mick Fanning, Tom Curren, Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmore, Mark Occhilupo and Dean Morrison. Hit play on the video below to check their credentials.

The surfer deemed to have the best overall cutback will receive a replica of a vintage MP model , and the winning filmer will get a signed Morning of the Earth poster signed by the movie’s director Alby Falzon. There’ll also be other prizes (including a Draft surfboard by Josh Kerr) in other divisions. To end things in style, organizers will award prizes at a live event at Balter Taproom in Currumbin, Queensland, on October 4. You can get your tickets here.

And holy (insert preferred expletive) are there some good ones. A quick browse through the submissions reveals stellar turns from multiple eras of surfing. The subtleties in style, power and poise fly off the screen like spray. Modern groms are whipping their fins loose. There’s Andy Irons with a lofty cutback to floater combo in France . Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew buries rail at Haleiwa . Brad Gerlach goes Mach 1. A young Taj Burrow goes hard on this right.

“We had ones from Storm Riders in the 1980s,” Saffigna said. “We had one from Rabbit in Freeride in 1977. “We’ve got these archives and ones that were filmed just the other month.”

Related: Surfing 201: How To Frontside Cutback Like a Pro

The event was also done in honor of MP’s legendary mother, Joan, whose birthday marked the start of the event. Three months later, MP’s birthday, September 24, was the last day of entries. Saffigna has a personal connection to the Petersons. He also grew up in Coolangatta and received his first surfing trophy from Joan at a Kirra Boardriders contest when he was 15. Though he never got to see MP surf in person, Saffigna interviewed and hung with him multiple times, and he left a lasting impression, as he has with many Australians. If the interest in the contest is any indication, Only One MP is still resonating loud and clear.

“It’s stood the test of time,” Saffigna said of MP’s signature move. “We had no idea it would create the community that it has. We get messages saying ‘You’ve got me into surfing!’ from older boys. Even the coaches are excited too, because they’ve got kids doing the airs and all that, and this is sort of going back to the basics.”