Newsletter
- JUNE 2010 |
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Secretary - Alan |
Secretary's Report
Hiya Hardcores,
We’ve had our chilliest comp of the year this month and July is just around the corner. Brrrrrr. Cold enough for you? It is for me. The water has been good for this time of year though so with a fair few waves about it’s been worth getting wet more often than not.
At the last Committee meeting we decided to have the Secretary be responsible for assembling the newsletter, that pretty much means be the Editor. That was sort of a mistake from your point of view but seeing as how nobody else stuck their hand up, well, let’s just say ‘no surprises’ at that one. I hope you all don’t mind giving me a bit of time to get the photos organised, cropped and what-notted. The alternative is to skip taking them and get this out quicker, but I enjoy it and as long as you do I’m in there. If you have any things to say about any of this I’m always open to comments, and columns too for that matter.
In theory the idea was to be more organised in newsletter production. In practice, well, who needs deadlines? Anyway, there’s usually too much surfing to be done. You know how it is.
The point at Flattie has had some good pieces of sand move through in June and a number of days with the take-off well in back of suck rock and more wall than we normally see. Every time I go out there’s mostly club faces in the line-up. That’s one of the things I like about Flat Rock. I even saw Pete Farrell out there snaring a few tip rides and, to my surprise, taking a few photos.
After I got out of the water at Flat Rock point on Monday 21 June I took a couple of shots for the newsletter. Rob House and I had it to ourselves (ever so briefly). The set size had just started to drop but still gives you an idea of what the weekend enjoyed. When I got home I was surprised to find that Pete Farrell had been on the beach and before I even got out of the water had emailed me three photos he took. Thanks mate.
Flat Rock point line-ups, Monday 21st June. Photos by Alan.
Alan says he’s not sure which wave this was, there were so many of them.
Flat Rock pics by Peter Farrell.
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We had a pretty successful June comp albeit delayed a week. The snags were hot. The surf was good, or bad, depending on your results as usual. I see Bruce thought it was bad but I thought it was fun. Bruce, I got a hot re-entry photo of you, the surf was GOOD! For me it was my first day of the year in my full steamer due to the air temperature, or more to the point, the lack of it. Personally, I didn’t regret it a bit. Bruce will cover the comp stuff elsewhere. I have another batch of photos taken on the day for you. It started out languishing in the dark and miserable category but ended up with sunshine and offshore winds and finally looking pretty for photos.
See the gallery for all the pics...
The Ballina Malibu Club’s Water Warriors from the old-and-creaky, over-the-hill speciality contest, the Noosa Wrecks and Relics have returned once again with the spoils of victory. I’m told. More or less. The Captain covers that elsewhere as well. Good looking T-shirts returned too!
More competition stuff on the calendar with the 7-Ways on Saturday July 3 at Evans Head and our club comp on the following day, Sunday, at Flat Rock. Club Captain Bruce is organising the 7-ways team. Contact him with your availability. I’ve heard good things about the surf down that way lately so it has pretty good chances of being a fine outing.
I had a call from Gary Burden the other day. He’s had a successful operation on his back in January but is a long way off getting back on the nose. He is looking forward to surfing again before Christmas and doing his exercises and all that stuff. I’m sure everyone wishes him a full and speedy recovery because it was pretty heavy stuff he had done and he is having to go through what must be an agonisingly long dry spell.
We’ve had an approach from a potential minor sponsor. Can you believe that? They came to us! No grovelling on the Pres or Sec’s part, a dinky-di approach. I won’t pre-empt things but it’s looking to be a natural association and members will be happy about it, I’m sure. Just gotta nail it down first before reporting on it.
We’ve also had some discount offers from here and there and I send the good ones around and suffer the spam in (semi)silence. The steamer offer for $99 was sounding pretty affordable in particular, not to mention timely.
Don’t forget to pass the word on about the 20th Anniversary bash in November to anyone you bump into that might want to make it.
Lots of surf, social and, something else… what was it now? Oh well, maybe I’ll remember by next month’s newsletter. Till then, keep your tips waxed.
Secretary Alan.
Pic of the Month – Kiwi hanging 10 [Top]
This month’s Pic of the Month came through the email courtesy of my old mate and part-time surf legend, Kiwi White, who wraps 10 toes over the nose as casually as if he were standing on the sidewalk.
Kiwi makes it look deceptively easier than it actually is. For starters you’ve got to fork out for an air ticket to the USA West Coast. Then you’ve got to get yourself down to San Clemente where this epic nose ride was captured on film in June while Kiwi was there on holidays.
No, Kiwi’s not from New Zealand. The other part of his time is spent in Port Lincoln, SA, where he was born and, would you believe it, works as a rocket scientist? Okay, right, he is a fisherman. A tuna fisherman who raves about working out of Ceduna. The nickname ‘Kiwi’ came from a dumb move he made as a kid when dying his hair black using whatever he could get his hands on. In his case it was a popular brand of boot polish.
A stoked Kiwi, poised, composed and dare I say it, polished, probably got the longest tip-time of his ripe old life this day. But hey, mate, what happened to the water?
SOCIAL REPORT [Top]
by Alan Rich
There’s no photos of the social night at Wicked because someone didn’t bring a camera, but I can assure you it went ahead and most of you know that it was a very good night because most of you were there. They didn’t kick us out but we were the last ones to leave I think, again.
The social calendar is also filling quickly with Mick Wilson throwing a Westlawn Cup bus to the Grafton races at the last minute. Anyone who might want to make it on Thursday 8 July should ring Wazza ASAP. Seat availability is limited but available as this goes out. It depends on a few things so if you are even a ‘maybe’, let Wazza know.
DIRTY DICKS THEATRE RESTAURANT
I saw an ad for this August dinner and show night at the Ballina RSL that sounded good to me. Here’s the story:
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Saturday, August 07 2010, 7.30pm (Doors open 6.45pm) to 10.20pm.
Ticket Price: $43 Show & 3 course meal
An unforgettable night of Medieval mirth & merriment! A brilliant stage show - madcap comedy, witty songs, saucy fun, hysterical games, whacky audience involvement....PLUS....A Magnificent Sumptuous Traditional Banquet served by wondrous wenches & lusty lads. Laugh-a-long, clap-a-long and sing-a-long!
It sounds like a top candidate for an over-eating, over-drinking night! Tables need to be booked in advance, and this is definitely a table type affair, so leaving it to the last minute might not work to plan. If anyone wants to get together for a table or more at the Dirty Dicks night on 7 August let me know.
cheers, Alan
COMPETITON
UPDATE [Top]
by Bruce Wilson
Our June comp got underway with a good turn up by members to surf in probably what I would class as D Grade surfing conditions with Mother Ocean being a bit fickle at times plus it was brass monkey weather.
After everyone warmed up and put on their wet suits Round 1 kicked in, it would have been a good advertisement for Steamers as it looked like the dress code for the day.
In the difficult conditions there were still some good displays of surfing put on with Paul Abbott securing 1st place in the 2nds with his new love in life the McTavish Fireball board, good on ya Paul. There was the usual quest for 1st place in the 1sts with Eric Walker as smooth as ever just nudging Frank McWilliams out to take 1st place with Alan Rich pulling off 3rd & Steve Watts coming in 4th spot plus Peter Wilcox in 5th.
It was good to see that the Calnan clan was well represented with Phil, Gavin, Mick and Ayla. I must admit that El Presidente was sadly missed by going AWOL at Noosa when Adi brought to our attention there were no beers to celebrate the day’s proceedings. We will have to organize Adi next time to take responsibility for supplying the beers if Wazza is away.
We did have a few members pull out of the 2nd round due to having to leave early or it was to too bl##dy cold too surf.
See you all in the water,
Bruce
See the gallery for all the pics...
Results, 13 June 2010:
Firsts: 1. Eric Walker, 2. Frank McWilliams, 3. Alan Rich, 4. Steve Watts, 5. Peter Wilcox
Seconds: 1. Paul Abbott, 2. Dave Zeman, 3. Mick Calnan, 4. Adi Lengyl, 5. Rob House
Thirds: 1 Grant Edwards, 2. Bruce Wilson, 3. Phil Calnan, 4. Paul Bioletti, 5.Col Harper
Fourths: 1. Kerry Wilcox, 2. Jan Webster, 3. Gavin Calnan, 4. Bill Webster. 5. Col Woodbry
Next Club Round
Our next club round is on Sunday 4th July.
Judging Criteria for Competition Rounds
The judging criteria is now available online.
TRAVEL REPORT [Top]
Noosa Wrecks & Relics 2010
by Bruce Wilson
Started the trip to Noosa early on Thursday morning. What a morning, torrential rain, roads flooded, ambulances and fire trucks going everywhere, mini cyclone ripping through Lennox. You gotta love the far north coast. We pulled into Noosa around midday to be greeted by a flat ocean and barely a ripple breaking on the shore. The only saving grace to the day was meeting up with fellow crew members and partners for a few drinks and a meal at the S.L.C. later that evening.
Saturday day 1 -
Still no swell at Noosa so the contest was relocated to Castaways beach with 3 to 4 foot waves breaking on a nice right hand bank and off shore winds up until early in the afternoon then the wind swung around to the SE this made the conditions more difficult for the competitors. Marg B, Eric W and Wazza held the Ballina Mal club banner high to make it through the heats into the finals.
Sunday day 2 -
Back to Castaways beach for the finals with a good display of surfing. The conditions were a bit wild and woolly with one of the local competitors breaking their board in half on the shore break trying to get out the back. There was some controversy during the finals with some contestants going all out to make sure they secured a good place, you would think at our age in a contest for the over 50’s that some etiquette and the old aloha spirit would be flying high.
Wazza, the final wreck
We scored well with Eric Walker placing 2nd in the over 50’s. Marg Bryant 3rd in the Ladies event plus Wazza pulling off a spot for 3rd in the over 60’s.
See the gallery for all the pics...
18th Annual All Girls Surf Showdown Report
by Mel Mott
The annual All Girls Surf Showdown was on the June long weekend and Marg and I competed in the “Pro Longboard” division. With a "winner takes all" prize purse of $500, it would have been a very tidy weekend's work.
Melissa Combo of Ballina (and previous member of the BMC along with her dad Lee) was the defending champion and red hot favourite to take out the title again in 2010.
Disappointingly, numbers were down in the long board division, with only 9 of us competing. There were some national level quality surfers mixed in with a strong local All Girls club member contingent, including some real up and coming juniors. The ages spanned several generations from about 12 to ....well we don’t have to say!
The surf was smaller than expected and somewhat inconsistent, especially on finals day. Marg surfed like the legend she is and we were both ecstatic first round winners.
The semis were also really close, with Melissa the stand out surfer. I made it to the final with Melissa, Sharon Jackson from the Sunshine Coast and Kirsty Webster of Tweed area.
I was pretty stoked to get my best ever result at Showdown (in over 15 years of trying!), coming 3rd (unfortunately no cash for me).
Cheers
Mel
Melissa Combo successfully defending her Longboard Pro title at the All Girls Showdown
Mel Mott with an All Girls PB. On ya, Mel.
World School Of surfing
by Steve Watts
Club member Steve Watts has recently taken on some big responsibilities in the world of school surfing. I asked him to give us a quick rundown on what he’s in for and what it involves. Here’s the story from Steve:
When I was attending school as a high school student in Sydney I longed to take surfing for sport. Alas, it was not yet included in any school's curriculum within NSW. In its place my school mates and I jigged sport on Wednesday arvo's only to cop the cane the next day for truanting sport. Of course this was OK when the surf was good yet many a time we travelled to the beach only to find it blown out by the NE winds…and then cop the cane as well. This made it a challenging activity.
(Editor’s note: wouldn’t you know it, little Stevie grew up to be a high school teacher!)
These "school surfing experiences" stayed with me. I started School Surfing at Southern Cross School K-12 (SXS) 14½ years ago. Before arriving at SXS I had spent 12 years not surfing due to fulfilling country service duties and additional University studies.
When the opportunity eventually came to establish Surfing for Sport in my school I designed it to be more user-friendly. To be involved in School Surfing students have to have their Surf Survival Certificate. At SXS I established this course as a 3 day "Surf Safari".
Over the last 14 years I have put over 300 students through this course. We have had so many talented surfers pass through SXS such as Jock Barnes, Adam Melling, Stuart Kennedy all these boys turned professional upon leaving school.
This year School Surfing celebrated it's 30th anniversary at the State Championships that we ran at Werri Beach which was the venue of the first State Comp.
Personally, I have been the FNC School Surfing Convener for 8 years, State Convener for 8 years and State Team Manager for 8 years. I have now taken over as NSW School Surfing Association President from Milton Brown of Barrenjeoy High School at Avalon.
Surfing is a wonderful sporting activity for students as it connects them with their school and community in ways that not many other activities can. I look forward to leading School Surfing into a new era that will encourage more schools to incorporate School Surfing into their curriculums
(Thanks Steve. Congratulations and good luck with it all. I trust that when you say ‘connects’ that you’ve now moved on from the cane. You have, haven’t you?)
Please email the secretary
if you have an interesting travel story.
MEMBER PROFILE [Top]
Name: David Zeman
Age: 54
Family:
Wife Lesley, son Jay, grandson Toby, daughter
in-law Jessica and my dad Ivo.
Where do you
live now:
Ballina, couple blocks from the Bowlo
Why did you
end up where you are now, how and when:
Born in Prague 1955, ran away from the commies and
came to Sydney in 1968, Sydney until 1986 then Avoca beach, sick of
commuting from Avoca Beach to North Sydney everyday to work, sold the house and
moved to the north coast in 1988 then Nelson Bay for while, in Ballina since
1998.
What is your
current job:
Not working at the moment, considering my lifestyle
options.
What is the
best job you ever had:
There were 2, I use to own a surf coaching
business, best job satisfaction ever, also Lesley and I had a bank franchise
for while, that was pretty good too.
How old were
you when you started surfing
I was 13.
Where was
that and why:
Manly- North Steyne off the "stink pipe"
but my first real wave was at Avalon Beach, believe it or not I started surfing
as substitute for snow sports and ice hockey and I can honestly say it's best
thing I ever did.
Did your parents surf?
My dad use to bodysurf, flippers and all but no
Tupperware on his hands.
Which is your
best foot forward?
Left
What is your
favourite type of wave:
Any wave as long as I'm enjoying it, I've had some
great surfs in absolute rubbish.
Where are
your favourite surf spot(s)?
Locally: Flatty, North Wall, Trestles, Wategos and
uncrowded Pass -"yeah right, in your dreams", further a field
probably Copa point, Crescent head, Angourie, Winkipop and Joanna in Vic.
Whangamatta and Sandy Bay in NZ.
Where do you
surf locally?
I've been spending way too much time at Flatty
lately.
How many
surfers does it take to make a crowd at flat rock?
Well that depends on the attitude of the people in the
water and the waves, it takes just one idiot and a 20 minute lull to spoil it
for everybody.
Have you
surfed many different places? For instance…?
Just about every spot between Sydney and Noosa,
some South Coast spots around Kiama, few in Victoria, NZ North Island and a
little secret spot in the Pacific, but I wished I had my board in Morocco last
year.
Where and
when was the best surf you ever had?
Around 1978 at Box Head, over 800 m long left 3' to
5' and glassy perfection, we had a 4 hour session, I was lot fitter then.
What was your
best surf holiday?
Just recently in N.Z. it actually wasn't a surf
holiday, but I took a my board anyway and I scored!
Describe one
of the most memorable waves you’ve ever ridden:
My first real wave @ Avalon Beach in 1969 on a 9'
stringer-less Keyo.
Who is the
best surfer you’ve ever been out in the water with?
The one who was having the most fun out there.
Who is the
best surfer you’ve ever ridden the same wave with?
I don't know his or her name, it was a dolphin that
surfed in front of me and did couple of great aerials and I think it smiled at
me.
What is your
nickname and how did you get it?
Dave, because people couldn't pronounce my first
name properly.
Why did you
decide to join the club?
I've been tempted in the past because I've known
few of the members for while and they seemed nice and easy going and I was
asked if I want to join so I finally bit the bullet and got myself a longboard
and I'm learning how to surf it.
Name your
favourite surfing movies and why:
"Morning of the Earth", I actually
went to the premier at the "Manly Silver Screen Theatre"
What kind(s)
of other movies do you like
I like good spy movies with good euro car chases
like "Ronin" or good science fiction like "Blade Runner",
oh yeah and I like the French films late on SBS.
What kind(s)
of music do you like?
Old British rock, some punk and classical music,
not much in between except maybe Pink Floyd.
What is/are
your favourite tv show(s)?
Documentaries,international news on SBS , old
politically incorrect comedies and the euro football matches on SBS.
Besides
surfing, what is/are your favourite sports?
Snowboarding, I was a skier for about 40 years,
then about 10 years ago my son dared me to try snowboards and haven't touched
pair of skis since.
What else
interests you and why (besides surfing)?
Travel, good food, getting lost in little old
medieval towns off the tourist track, photography, central european history and
classic gothic architecture.
What is your
pet peeve?
Liars, cheats, thieves, arrogant rude people,
monopoly and corporate greed that's killing off small business.
What do you
love most?
Lesley and my family, looking through a wave when
you paddling out early in the morning, getting the first chair to the top of
the mountain and dropping in to fresh untracked powder.
What is/are
your favourite food(s)?
Czech roast pork with dumplings, Wiener Schnitzel,
NZ seafood chowder, good soups, nice Ozie scotch fillet on a BBQ, Viennese
cakes and good coffee.
When you
drink, what do you have?
Pilsner Urquell , Staropramen, Grolsh or any good
beer made to the "1516 purity law", also I'm bit partial to good
Italian Chianti from the Sienna region and Becherovka which is herbal spirit
38% proof, great for settling the stomach after big meal or at any time for
that matter.
When you pay?
Pilsner Urquell
When I pay?
Pilsner Urquell
What are the details of the surfboards you like to ride the most?
7'2" x 20 1/2" x 2 3/4 " Gunther
Rohn is my favourite, but at the moment it's Byron Bay Longboards 9'0" x
22 3/4" x 2 7/8" the others 7' x 21 1/2" x 2 5/8" Local
Motion round nose fun board and Local Motion 9'1" x 22 1/2" 2
7/8" longboard.
What kind of board you are thinking about getting next?
One of those supadupa high performance longboards
or a traditional nose rider, can't make up my mind.
Who are your favourite surfers and why (three or more)?
Slater and Reynolds( totally unpredictable and
radical and able to step it up at any time), Parko and Bonga (they just make it
look so easy), Joel Tudor (just super polished traditional style).
Who are your nominees for the top 10 surfers (more or less) during your
lifetime and why?
I can't say, there were probably more than 10 and I
wouldn't want leave anybody out.
What have been your best competition results
I made state titles couple of times while back on a
shortboard and bombed out early.
What do you like most about competing?
Not really sure,I suppose it's some prehistoric
trait in our make up that makes us compete, bit like survival of the fittest or
whatever, but with the mal club I like the sausage at half time...
Are you a soul surfer at heart?
I'm bit confused about soul surfer these days, is
it the guys that couldn't quite cut it on the pro tour and are now are paid in
upwards of $200k per year by big surf companies to surf all sorts of weird and
wonderful boards all over the planet looking like a soul surfers while
promoting their product? or is it some one who surfs because they love it, like
me.
What would be your dream surf trip?
Somewhere civilised so you could go and do other
things, not just surf all the time.
How much time do you spend in the water?
As much as possible
Is that enough?
Only time will tell
Thanks Dave, see you in the water!
Dave on the nose
PARTY HARDY [Top]
And, finally, members with recent or upcoming birthdays include Paul Abbott, Brian Delaney, Ken Garrington, Bill Webster and Mick Wilson. Your shout, boys!
MEMBERS
CLASSIFIEDS [Top]
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.
Board for sale: Free Flight 9’1”x 22 ½”x 2 ¾”
Has only been ridden about half a dozen times, there are two small dings; one on the tail & the other on the bottom hardly noticeable. Asking price $400 with board bag & leg rope, without board bag & leg rope $375 or nearest offer. The board will be at the 7 ways comp on display for sale & also at our next club round if anyone is interested in checking it out. Contact Bruce Wilson on 0427 789 331 or Email brucewilson88@bigpond.com
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