PRESIDENT's REPORT

We are off to a great start with two comps in a row and a great roll up again this month. Although the surf was somewhat ordinary the water was great and the company even better. It looks as though this year will be very competitive in the surf with our new members already pushing some of our established stars. Great to see!

On the social scene we all had a great night at the Federal Hotel. It must be some of the best pub grub around. Those of us who made it to the Beach Boyz really enjoyed the show. Our next social night is Friday 13th March at the Westower Tavern from 6:30pm. Brian Delaney has many more goodies in the pipeline so stay tuned.

Many thanks to Bruce Wilson and Alan Rich for their kind donation of drinks at the last comp. Sorry about your beer Bruce, hopefully our Social Director will open the "Beach Bar' a bit earlier next month.

As I mentioned at the last comp we are going to plan a trip away to the "Wrecks & Relics" over 50's comp at Noosa later in the year. Even if you don't want to enter it would still be fun to get away as a club and do some free surfing and socialising together.

Hope the waves keep rolling your way!

President Wazza

SOCIAL CALENDAR

The social scene was in full swing in February with two outings during the month.

Federal Hotel

Some 20 members and their partners attended the regular Friday night social held on the 13th February at the Federal Hotel in Alstonville. As usual the venue pulled a good crowd due to the great value and tasty meals. See the photos page for all the pics...

L to R: Leonie Wyatt, Marg Bryant, Mel Mott, and Rae - enjoying the night out.

L to R: Darryl Larkin, President Wazza, and Paul Bioletti - enjoying a few coldies.

Beach Boyz Night

Members and their partners filled two tables at the recent dinner & show at the Ballina RSL Club on 20th February. The show featured cover band The Beach Boyz playing heaps of memorable surfing songs from the 70's. The dance floor at the back of the room was going off with members bopping away to the old classics. The food included in the price deserves special mention as it was very tasty, my selection the barramundi grilled with Avocado and Smoked Salmon Holondaise was cooked beautifully. We'll definitely keep an eye out for more worthwhile shows at the Ballina RSL Club.

Next Social Evening

Our next social gathering will be at the Westower Tavern at West Ballina on Friday 13th March at 6:30PM - 7:00PM. We have to reserved seating for 26 and hope to see you all there for a few coldies and a great feed. The Westower have a March special of 500g steak and half a lobster with chips and salad for $24.90. Yours truly has already tasted the meal and gives it a definite thumbs up for taste and value.

Partner's Coffee Club?

A suggestion has been made to kick off a partners coffe club on the same morning as our competition rounds. The suggestion was to organse a get together for partners at say 9:00AM for a coffee and perhaps a light breakfast then turn up at the end of the comp. We are intereted to know if members think their prtners might enjoy this opportunity to socialise. Please email you thoughts to the secretary.

Wrecks & Relics Away Trip?

Wazza has 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. The comp is usually scheduled in May, we will advise more details when firm dates come to hand.

2009 Social Calendar

Our Social Organiser, Brian Delaney, is putting together a full year schedule which will be online very soon.

COMPETITON UPDATE

The second comp round for the year was held in challenging 2-3 foot surf on a very warm day with perfect water temperature. Twenty-three surfers competed in the small waves with a standout performance by Kirk Hickey who won the day. Well done Kirk!

See the photos page for more pics.... click here to see the movie.

L to R: Judging: Bruce Wilson, Alan Rich, & Kerry Wilcox. Spotting: Club Captain, Eric Walker.

COMPETITION RESULTS - MARCH 2009

The next club round is on Sunday 5th April.

PIC OF THE DAY

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

Jan Webster leaning into the bottom turn
(Picture courtesy of Alan Rich)

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.

APRIL BBQ TEAM: Col Woodbry & Phil Calnan

TRAVEL REPORT

Please email the secretary if you have an interesting story.

MEMBER PROFILE

NAME: Gary Burden

ADDRESS: 1/2 Hazelwood Close, Suffolk Park

PHONE: 0428 277 734

AGE: 47

ORIGINS: Born: Newcastle, UK. Grew up: Avalon Beach

FAMILY: Partner Jules and son, Sam – 5½ yrs

CURRENT JOB: Surfboard Shaper - Astro custom surfboards

TIME ON NORTH COAST: 8 years

SURFING STYLE: Natural

QUIVER: Astro 9’1” – 9’4” – 9’9” – 1962 Gordon Woods – 1929 Lee Riley

STARTED SURFING (AGE & LOCATION): 8yrs old – Bilgola Beach

FAVOURITE SURF SPOT: Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka

FAVOURITE FOOD: Pizza

FAVOURITE ACTIVITY (BESIDES SURFING): Er... the other thing that hurts my back...

REASON FOR JOINING THE CLUB: Friendly, laid-back atmosphere.

CLUB T-SHIRTS

The new club shirts are ready, please contact Wazza to arrange collection. The shirts are blue with a white BMC logo on the front and cost $30 each. More shirts can be ordered so members who have not ordered yet can do so by contacting Wazza.

What a perfect time for a team photo in the new club shirts
Jan Webster, Col Harper, & Marg Bryant - after how many beers?

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.