The PRESIDENT's REPORT from Wazza

Unfortunately our April comp was called off due to a combination of unfavourable weather & challenging surf. Some of our hardy members did brave the conditons & went out for a free surf. We would normally hold our comp the following Sunday but as it will be Easter there will be no competition next Sunday. Good to see that we are getting a good group to head to Noosa for the Wrecks & Relics. You still have time to get an entry in so the more the merrier. Don't forget our barefoot bowls night Friday week. I guarantee you will have a great time. I have been working on getting a sponsor for our club & hope to have some good news soon.

See you in the surf.

Wazza

The SOCIAL REPORT from Brian Delaney

Well, I reserved 26 places at the Westower Tavern for the March social night and we had 26 people turn up, truly. It was easy to count because we were the only ones there, well almost. It seems that since the place was taken over by Woolworths the reputation has dived along with the economy which is not a good combination.

A sign out on the street front said "new chef - new menu" so we were perhaps among the first to benefit from the renewed effort, and everyone I spoke to thought the main dishes were very good.

For supporting Woolworths we were entertained by Slim Pickens with a mix of acoustic blues and blue grass. He was good enough to get about six of our ladies up on the dance floor shaking off the week of work. My foot was tapping but he packed up before I was overcome.

For more pics from the night see the photos page.

The ladies found Slim's music irresistable!

The April social night is Barefoot Bowls and BBQ at the Ballina Bowling club on Friday, 17 April at 6:30pm. This is a recession buster night of great value, mad if you miss it. Cost is $13 per person, pay on the night. Price includes supply of bowls, steak, vegie burgers, sausages, salad and maybe some cake for desserts. Do not bring drinks, they must be bought at the club bar. Brian needs numbers by 15 April for catering. Contact Brian: phone 6628 5317 or delaney@aapt.net.au

For your convenience we've attached the 2009 Social Calendar to this month's newsletter. You might want to give it pride of place on your fridge or on the inside of the toilet door (Ed - is that where you stick your copy Brian?).

Bye for now, Brian D.

Wrecks & Relics Away Trip?

Wazza had suggested the Club organise an away competition to the Noosa Heads Malibu Club's annual Wrecks & Relics long board competition for the over 50's. At the time of writing Chris, Wazza, Brian Delaney, Phil Calnan, Mick Calnan, Eric Walker, Mick Wilson, and Bruce Wilson have entered the competition. So it's shaping up to be a fun get away for members. If you are considering joining us for the weekend please be aware the Wrecks & Relics is only small comp with limited entries so we recommend you get your entry in ASAP. For more details go to www.noosawrecksandrelics.com

COMPETITON UPDATE

The third comp round for the year was cancelled due to bad weather and wild waves. Several brave souls ventured out into the testing conditions. It was some time before the boys managed to paddle in to a few of the monster sets. In true style Peter Wilcox scored one nice wave from out the back all the way through to the beach, Bruce Wilson flirted with death on a big wave picking a high line along a nice wall but sensibly pulled off before the looming section down the line, Bayne got hit by a huge set breaking his leg rope, Rob House had a couple of nice waves as well. At about 8am a southerly change kicked in and the conditions became even wilder. It was generally agreed we had made a good decision to cancel the comp for this month.

Survivors - Rob House & Mick Calnan happy to be back on dry land.

The next club round is on Sunday 3rd May.

PIC OF THE DAY

Each month we feature the best picture taken on the day.

Glassy conditions early with Rob House scoring a nice one.
A grey rainy day and very sharky!

BBQ ROSTER

A slight change in the plan to implement a catering roster. Wazza has agreed to continue to purchase the food for each comp. All we need then is two members to be on BBQ duty on each comp day. The two man team wil help out by ensuring hot water for coffee is ready and then cook the meat and clean the BBQ afterwards. Wazza will maintain a list and select two members at each comp to look after the BBQ at the next comp. If a member is unable to attend Wazza will ask for a volunteer replacement on the day. Thanks to Alan Rich and Roger Coulthurst for helping out last comp. Next comp's helpers are Phil Calnan and Col Woodbry.

MAY BBQ TEAM: Col Woodbry & Phil Calnan

TRAVEL REPORT

Please email the secretary if you have an interesting story.

MEMBER PROFILE

(Ed - Mick was busy when I rang him at work so this profile is courtesy of his wife Ricky-Lee.)

NAME: Mick Calnan

ADDRESS: 12 Piper Drv, Ballina NSW,

PHONE: (02) 6686 6936

AGE: 30

ORIGINS: Ballina

FAMILY: Wife Ricky-Lee, daughter Ayla 2 years old.

CURRENT JOB: Production Mgr / Head Printer, Solprom Coast Kings (It's a family business started by his Dad - Phil.)

TIME on the NORTH COAST: Mick toured Indo' for 12 months as an exchange student and lived on the Gold Coast for 1 2months, other than those two brief periods he's lived in Ballina all his life. (Ed- now that's a local).

SURFING STYLE: natural

QUIVER: 10+ too many to detail, 2 mals, 1 fish, assorted short boards & guns. (Ed - Mick hates getting rid of old boards).

STARTED SURFING (AGE & LOCATION): Around 7 years, probably at Flat Rock.

FAVOURITE SURF SPOT: All Ballina beach breaks

FAVOURITE FOOD: Victoria Bitter!

FAVOURITE MOVIE: Young Guns

FAVOURITE ACTIVITY (BESIDES SURFING): Mowing the lawn (says Ricky-Lee)

REASON FOR JOINING THE CLUB: To evade mowing the lawn (Ed – I forgot to ask Ricky Lee this question so I made up the answer, but I reckon I’m close.)

NEWSLETTER & NEW WEB SITE

The club has a new web site – www.ballinamalibuclub.org. All the club newsletters can now be accessed via the web site and viewed online. Members who have provided their email addresses to the secretary will receive an email each month containing a link to the newsletter. The Committee urges all members to take advantage of the new web site and register their email address. Members without an email address will still receive a printed copy via surface mail.

Members will find many benefits with the new web site including:

Members interested in submitting stories for inclusion in our monthly newsletter should Email submissions to secretary@ballinamalibuclub.org

MEMBERS CLASSIFIEDS

Items for sale (eg. used surfboards, surfing-related items etc) may be listed free of charge by members. Members are invited to lodge advertisements by Email to the Secretary. Please include a description, asking price, contact details, and preferably a color photograph of the item(s) for sale.