Wrecks & Relics Longboard Comp

Noosa Heads, 20th-21st June 2009

Twelve members from the Club recently ventured north to Noosa Heads for this popular Over 50's Longboard Competition. Yours truly arrived on Friday at midday and surfed Tea Tree on Friday afternoon with fun clean 1 metre waves, no sweep, and an easy crew. Friday arvo' the swell backed off at high tide with First Point not even breaking. Hopes were not high for the swell size the following day.

First Point - Noosa Heads - simply beautiful

The weekend started for most on Friday night with registration at the irresistibly Italian Ma’ Mensa Trattoria in Hastings Street. Each competitor received a pack of goodies well worth the $60 entry fee alone. The evening went off well despite some problems with the food orders.

Saturday morning at 7:00am we were suprised to see clean 1 metre consistent surf at First Point. The Noosa Malibu Club committee decided to hold the surf at First Point and the comp was on! Saturday was the cleaner of the two days with beautiful sunshine, warm weather, and fun waves. Mick Wilson, Chris Bull, Alan Rich, Eric Walker, and Marg Bryant all progressed to the semi finals on Sunday.

Saturday evening the Ballina crew met at the Surf Club over-looking First Point and enjoyed a few cold beers until sunset. The Ballina crew then moved across the road to La Monde for dinner accompanied by classic longboard 8mm movies. There was one clip where a surfer ran to the nose, turned around and ran back to the tail and continued surfing, just amazing!

Eric, Marg, & Alan with their plaques

Sunday morning brought bigger swell of 1.5 metres, however, the wind had turned onshore making the waves less clean and a strong sweep was pushing through the take off area making conditions tougher. The majority of the team made it to the semi-finals and 3 members making it to the Finals. Congratulations to Eric Walker - winner over 55's, Alan Rich - third over 60's, and Marg Bryant - second in the Ladies.

Sunday evening most of the crew hit the Surf Club again for some well-deserved coldies. After drinks we made our way across Hastings St to Incredible India where we enjoyed some very tasy Indian cuisine.

The Noosa Malibu Club ran a smooth competition and put on a great spread for competitors. Members were treated to complimentary breakfast and lunch on both days. The ladies in the food tent were serving tea & coffee, muesli, fresh fruit, bacon & egg burgers, sausage steak and chicken burgers, as well as free Barefoot Radler beers at the end of both competition days. They really know how to run a comp. Overall the event was a huge success with the best waves in the 5 years since the Wrecks & Relics started. What more could you ask for?

Chris Bull
Secretary Ballina Malibu Club

Some photos follow....click here to see video highlights... check out Eric Walker's Hang Ten sequence and more photos by Alan Rich.

Alan & Evelyn Rich	Brian Delaney trimming	Brian exiting	Bruce Wilson backhand
Chris Bull backhand	Chris Bull cruising	Chris Bull getting nosey	Chris Bull trimming
Chris Bull trying	Chris Bull walking	Chris Bull	Club Tents
Da Boys	Eric Walker ripping	Eric Walker winner over 55s	First Point beauty
First Point sunshine	Grey clouds on Sunday	Judging Tent	Marg Bryant driving
Mick Wilson head-dip	Mick Wilson in the quarters	Mick Wilson trimming	Moment of sunshine on Sunday
Phil Calnan backhand	Phil Calnan getting nosey	Phil Calnan on the nose	Phil Calnans heat
Phil exiting	Phil trimming	Saturday sunshine and smiles	The BMC Team 2
The BMC Team 1	The camera team	The Crew watching	Wazza cranking