The Outside: Cheating death, chasing waves and growing up in one of Australia’s most notorious crime families

by Larry Blair, Jeremy Goring

Larry Blair shot to fame at barely 20 years of age when he became a double-winner of Hawaii’s Pipeline Masters – the biggest and most dangerous prize in surfing. He became a household name, appearing in soapies, on milk cartons and in TV ads for Levi’s and Coke.

But Larry was harbouring the deadliest of family secrets.

His father, Frank ‘Baldy’ Blair, was a notorious criminal in the 1960s and 70s, when Sydney was a lawless city run by corrupt cops, contract killers and gangs fighting for supremacy. Larry’s doting mother, Patricia, was a beautiful, charismatic thief who regularly hosted an all-star gathering of underworld personalities, dreaming up the next heist from the comfort of their living room.

It was Baldy’s abduction, torture and murder at the hands of the notorious ‘Toe Cutters’ gang, soon after he’d pulled off the country’s biggest armed robbery, that set into motion a chain of dark, dramatic events. Larry, only 15, already schooled by ‘uncles’ and ‘associates’ in the ways of the family business, was forced to flee with his mother – anything to stay ahead of the cops and killers, anything to stay on ‘The Outside’.

For Larry, it was the beginning of a very long surf trip, and a journey of self-discovery that would take him to some of the most exotic places on earth, while also entangling him in yet another dangerous world not of his making. Hawaii’s pristine North Shore was in the throes of its own turf war, between the Da Hui Black Shorts and anybody who dared to challenge locals in the surf.

The Outside is Larry Blair’s extraordinary memoir of the lengths he went to outrun the sins of his father, escape the gravity of the past and carve out a new life, beyond the breakers.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2024

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this memoir as a suggestion I got after finishing another audiobook, and am I glad I took a chance!

I’m a Gold Coaster, but have never surfed a day in my life (blasphemy I know) and have no interest in it. But advertised as a true crime memoir it didn’t disappoint. Larry Blair’s life is one of those stories that sound like a fantastical tale; he had a criminal father, a thief for a mother, was surrounded by members of a gang from a young age, his father was infamously murdered, spent time on the run as a teenager, solo travelled overseas at 15, became a pro-surfer by luck even though that’s what he dreamed of and managed to make a clean life for himself without falling into his parents habits.

There is of course a lot of surfing in the story as well, but it wasn’t too overwhelming. It actually made me wish I could experience that freedom, that cleansing for myself (but I dislike cold water, being wet and sand). I totally get the appeal and have a new found respect for the sport and the release and calmness it creates.

Thanks for being brave to share your story Larry, I also learnt some Aussie history 👍🏼

[Ian Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still shaking my head in disbelief. Surely it’s a novel. No one could have lived this life! Yet, no. Bits are missing, to be sure, some things aren’t delved into too deeply but, then, in the end, it’s a cracking read.
A man who’s “father” (he only arrived on the scene when he was five) was heavily involved in the infamous Painters and Dockers Union and a mother who was an accomplished thief – really?? Yes, really, but wait, there’s more.
Larry, who the book is about, wanted to surf, and then surf some more. Despite shifting home addresses he managed to be a regular in the waves, especially when his “father” bought him a high quality surfboard which he cherished.
What went on in the house and at local hotels with his father and his crew will never be fully revealed but they involved Australia’s biggest ever bank hold-up (amongst others) which ultimately led to his father’s horrific demise at the hands of the infamous “Toe Cutter Gang”.
Around this time he escaped Australia and ended up in the surfing mecca of Hawaii’s north shore. Here, despite never being quite welcome with the locals, he excelled before heading back to Australia where he turned in one of the greatest ever wins in surfing competition, coming through heat after heat just to qualify before winning the Surfabout competition. The immediate fame and prizemoney he received set him up financially.
He went on to win back to back Pipeline Masters in Hawaii before claiming he would win five straight. This upset the locals and, when the next contest rolled around the following year, they ganged up on him (this is before priority was introduced) so that he couldn’t get any waves. Ultimately, this led him to quit contests.
His mother, in the meantime, had shifted her operations overseas and wasn’t always around. Eventually, back in Australia, his mother and her crew planned and executed Australia’s biggest ever diamond heist, lifting a huge diamond from a public exhibition in front of a number of guards. It’s never been heard of since.
His mother passed away in her forties and his mate egged him on to write this. I, for one, am grateful because it was one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on the Guildford armed robbery. Allan Jones (my father) is still very much alive and would beg to differ on a few aspects of this part of the story.

It’s fascinating that Larry Blair assumed that Allan was dead before writing this book. Allan is now the only survivor of the three men, so it would have been beneficial for Larry to get some factual information before publishing.

The rest of the book is great, and I understand the struggles and craziness growing up in this world brings.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is it about surfers and crime? Here we have another talented surfer growing up surrounded by crime (and writing a book about it) long before the bra boys, Larry grew up surfing, but also with parents who were crooks, surrounded by crime gangs. He escaped australia after his Dad was tortured and then murdered by the toe gang. (Who cut off victims toes apparently) What a bunch of gangsters. Think even his Granny was into it. This would prob make a cute movie or mini series if they could find the right angle. Listened on audio.

[Brett Bigalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a crazy life some people have. As I read someone else’s description of this book, if it wasn’t a biography you would honestly think that it is a bizarre story of fiction. You were always Barry Lair to us kids on Manly beach and now I understand why.
Congratulations Larry on a great book and thank you for sharing your life.
Cheers.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbarian days meets point break. A very easy read that blends the chaotic and hierarchical world of Aussie crime with the similarly tumultuous grass roots of surfing. Getting to live through such an accomplished surfers eyes was a treasure. However, I still wished for Larry’s recollection of the past and investigative work to be fleshed out more. Albeit endearing, it felt quite like the questionable tall tales you hear from a salty old surfer in the lineup.

[Carolyn]

Not impressed when there are acknowledgement to two people that have a dark history towards woman

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know little about surfing but this book was a fun read. The author has a self-deprecating sense of humour and is quick to make fun of himself.

[Marg Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a riveting Memoir. The audiobook was terrific. Would have liked more info on timelines (age mentioned here and there) especially as the young Larry was growing up. Very pleased to have 'read' this one
3.5 ⭐ rounded up