October 2010 NEWSLETTER

Contents

Secretary’s Report

Surprise of the month was during the firsts finals with Grant Edwards nudging Eric Walker out of his perennial comfort zone. After a year of door knocking it looks like Grant finally got his opening. Mrs Wilcox must have also thoroughly enjoyed putting Mr Wilcox in his place. There’s always next month, Pete. Some of the other results were pretty interesting. Congratulations to both Brian Fryer and Col Harper for their placings in the Seconds. It’s all that more impressive when you realise that the results of the Thirds included a slew of regulars from the Firsts division. Wave of the day, judging by what others said to me when I got back, must have gone to Chris Bull for one heck of a ride. No photo of course but I’ll bet Chris is still buzzing. Watch out for the November round!

Thankfully we had Grant step into the breach with some photos of a great day. He must have been doing more than one thing right because the judges recognised his efforts too. Thanks Grant, what a champ!

We have some more real classics from the old newsletters of Yesteryear to share with you. Still from Mick Wilson’s stash. They’re really worth checking out before Saturday the 13th.

Since I was away and missed stuff I had a real dilemma with sourcing a Pic of the Month. Last month I had them to spare. This month I had to dig deep into my files for something suitably old-days themed. I’m always open to contributors, as I’ve said more than once, and maybe this is just the incentive you need to share your gems with your club-mates!

Our profiled club member this month is Eric Walker. Eric did have some pressing issues with keyboard functionality (he didn’t get around to pressing them for ages). He joked that when he finally did it that it took him six hours to fill out the profile. At least I think he was joking... however, he’s shared his story with us. Eric didn’t have the benefit of seeing his 1992 profile that we’re running this month in the Yesteryear section. Seeing it? Hell, he didn’t even know it was coming.

Congrats to the party committee of Kerry and Mel and even Jan who worked like crazy till she went on holidays with Bill and they won’t be coming back in time to do anything else but to, you guessed it, party. Great planning, Websters. Remember, the Cherry Street Bowlos is not only an all you can eat dinner, but they’re our number one sponsor too! It can’t be anything other than a success so make sure you’re there. There will be T-shirts and surfboards for at least one lucky winner and a good number of other trinkets and shiny beads up for grabs.

Speaking of T-shirts, would anyone else besides me be interested in buying one using the artwork that you’ll see on the raffle board at the Party? Bruce has made some enquiries and with a global warming summer heading our way I reckon we should take orders for another print run of colour club T’s. What do you reckon?

This would be a good time to thank Chris Bull for bravely posting the newsletters I send him every month onto the web. This gets done no matter how much work he has on. He won’t promise when, but he always comes through. That’s a big effort, thanks Chris.

Not much left to the club year but what there is is chockas with surfing and partying. As it should be. 2010, keep on keeping on!

Secretarially yours,
Alan

President’s Report

Finally we got the October comp in the water and what a good day it turned out to be. Plenty of good size waves, sunshine and the compulsory sausage sanga. Paul Abbott is off to the Mi Thai for a feed having won the monthly voucher.

Our 20th Anniversary celebration is drawing close and it looks like being a great night with over 90 starters already confirmed. Only two more comps to go before another year draws to a close so don't miss either of them as points are up for grabs for the end of year trophies.

There have been a few small waves around over the past week especially in front of the Lennox pub so check it out and get in the water.

Take care,
President Wazza

Social Update: 20th Anniversary Reunion dinner

The BMC 20 year Reunion Party is looking set to be a great night with nearly 100 booked in so far for the celebrations.

There will be dinner in the form of the Saturday night Club Buffet, including seafood, carvery roast and other hot dishes to choose from plus desserts and great music from Mal and the Longboarders.

Don't forget to dig out your "retro surf" gear as there will be prizes on the night for the "best" male and female outfits, as well as other lucky door prizes.

Club Captain Bruce Wilson has done a fantastic job with organising the raffle Malibu board, and it is looking awesome - there will be one very happy winner on the night! - Don't forget you can buy extra tickets for the draw on the night to increase your chances of winning this beautiful Malibu surfboard with very special commemorative artwork.

Ordered tee shirts will be available on the night, and there will be a great display of past and present BMC member’s photos and other surfing memorabilia will be on display.

So...if you haven't got your tickets yet, see Marg at the Club round on Sunday.

See you there,
Mel

Captains Report September 2010

G’Day fellow flatties,

The October comp was held in near perfect conditions with 1.5m to 2m waves, a nice offshore wind blowing and the sun was shining. As they say another day in paradise.

On the Sunday I decided to get an early start to the morning as I knew the conditions were going to be favourable and it had been just over a month since I had any waves. I pulled into Flatrock just as the sun was starting to rise, much to my pleasure a clean good size swell was hitting the point with long walls just about running all the way through to spot X and no one out, yes an hour and half of free surfing before the crowd set in. It was a magic morning sharing waves with friends. Then reality set in when I started to notice that the club were setting up for the morning, thought I better get in and join them.

The first of the heats got off to a good start with some good surfing put on by all in the classic conditions. As the morning progressed a few members enjoyed the waves with a free surf before their respective heats.

Some surprises were in store during the second round of heats with Grant Edwards nudging Eric Walker out of top position in the firsts and also the ladies did very well by placing themselves in first division, good on you Marg and Mel.

Then Steve Watts taking out first place in the seconds it has been a long time coming Steve and you do not have to be a classic rider in order to be scored well, rip and carve them up Steve it pays off in the end.

Overall it was a great day of socializing and surfing except for one person who was not a happy-chappy at the end of the proceedings asking where the beers were so we could kick back and enjoy no need to ask who that was you can never keep them South Africans happy even on the rugby field, watch out Wazza, Adi is lodging a formal complaint with the committee about this issue. (Editor’s note: Oooh!!! I’m sure the committee will support Adi’s complaint if he shouts us a few drinks).

On another note a lot of work is going into the 20th anniversary celebration with all committee members putting in a great effort. It should be a night to remember. At our November club round we will have the Classic Malibu Commemorative board on display that will be raffled off as one of the lucky door prizes on the night

Results for the October round:
Firsts; 1 Grant Edwards – 2 Eric Walker – 3 Chris Bull – 4 Mel Mott – 5 Marg Bryant.
Seconds; 1 Steve watts – 2 Mick Wilson – 3 Paul Bioletti – 4 Col Harper/Brian Fryer equal.
Thirds; 1 Frank McWilliams – 2 Warren Wyatt – 3 Adi Lengyl – 4 Rob House – 5 Paul Abbott
Fourths; 1 Kerry Wilcox – 2 Bruce Wilson – 3 Ken Garrington – 4 Peter Wilcox

See you all in the surf,
Captain Bruce

See the pics in the gallery...

Winners of sponsors prizes for October
Thanks to our sponsors of the October comp prizes:
MI THAI RESTAURANT dinner, Lennox Head: Paul Abbott
MALIBU BURGERS vouchers, River and Cherry Sts, Ballina: Grant Edwards, Eric Walker, Chris Bull, Mel Mott, Marg Bryant, Steve Watts, Frank McWilliams and Kerry Wilcox.

Social Report: Malibu Club Trivia Night by Brian Delaney

Our annual Sunday soiree in Marg and Peter's cosy cabana was a warm and welcome place to be that evening with miserable weather blowing and raining outside.

We had food, glorious food galore, starting with a good variety of nibblies and cheeses with drinks for the two rounds of questions. Then the barbie was fired up for a variety of meats courtesy of the club bank account and served up with all styles of salads. Then the big event of the night was the placing of desserts on the table. It was better than a buffet on a cruise ship! It was hard to have portions small enough to have a bit of everything without overindulging.

Wazza the wizzer of a quizzer had been collecting his questions all year by saving the great source of knowledge found under beer bottle tops. The field was wide open this year because last year’s winners, Alan and Evelyn could not be there and the winners from the year before that, Chris and Helen could not come till later, so we rushed through the questions before barbie time (just kidding).

So, who won? After that dinner no one really cared but it was me 1st, Mick Wilson 2nd and Marg 3rd. The winners went home with some nice bottles of red wine and others went home with nice dinner leftovers.

Such a good afternoon/night this annual gig, plan to be there next year youse all.

Brian Delaney

Alan’s comments:
It’s good to know everyone was seriously making the most of their opportunities to thoroughly gluttonise and to win wine. So seriously that nobody who was there took a photo of Grand Master Delaney for the newsletter. Maybe next time.

I have to correct Brian though before Ev corrects me. Last year Evelyn got first. I got second but it wasn’t a joint effort (she doesn’t let me forget that). She wouldn’t help me in the second round and sat on the other side of the room to make sure I couldn’t copy her answers. Moi?! That was okay though, she was a lot more generous with her spoils of victory.

Thanks again to Marg and Pete for hosting the day.

(PS, I warned you in the September Newsletter that the A Team was in form and out to get ya!)

Members Profile - A chat with Eric Walker

Name?
Eric Walker

Age?
Charging at 60

Family?
Rodney and Melanie

Where do you live now?
East Ballina

Why did you end up where you are now, how and when?
We decided to live by the sea and travel to work rather than vice versa, bought through the then best hooker in town Janelle Calnan

What is your current job?
School bus driver

What is the best job you ever had?
Night telephonist Byron Bay

How old were you when you started surfing?
6yrs

Where was that and why?
The Pass - there was a Santa

Eric at Wategos, 53 years later

Did your parents surf?
NO - Dad was a swimmer and fisherman actually built his boat. Mum never went to the beach unbelievable.

Which is your best foot forward?
Left

What is your favourite type of wave?
The wave of see you later when someone leaves the break and goes in - nah this area has great right hand point breaks so a left is fun to drop into, gets your balance back

Where are your favourite surf spot(s)?
Between Crescent Head and Noosa Heads, North Island New Zealand

Where do you surf locally?
Flat Rock, Lennox Point and Beach, The Bridge

How many surfers does it take to make a crowd at flat rock?
The number isn't the problem their ability is

Have you surfed many different places? For instance…?
Not a lot - California, Mexico, Oahu, North Is NZ

Where and when was the best surf you ever had?
Flat Rock May 2006 - 32 consecutive days off shore breeze due east swell 3ft to 8ft PERFECTION

Classic Flat Rock, May 31, 2006.

What was your best surf holiday?
Getting 3 hours surfing at Malibu September 2001 with 5 other surfers out and 200 on the beach; perfect 5ft peelers

Describe one of the most memorable waves you’ve ever ridden:
Stent Road North Island NZ glassy turquoise 8ft plus swells lined up like corduroy pile pitching take off over reef walling up and wrapping into bay 150 metre ride

Who is the best surfer you’ve ever been out in the water with?
Joel Tudor, Ray Gleave and Isabelle Braly; can't separate all a pleasure to surf with

Who is the best surfer you’ve ever ridden the same wave with?
Joel Tudor, Ray Gleave and Isabelle Braly

What is your nickname and how did you get it?
Ecka - Phil Calnan kicked it off at the mal club

Why did you decide to join the club?
It was something Christine and I could do together and we knew they would be a friendly group

Name your favourite surfing movies and why?
Adrift. I have watched it a thousand times; not for the story but for Joels technique. Morning Of The Earth. All the Bob Brown movies of course Going Vertical. I believe the short board started locally.

What kind(s) of other movies do you like?
Westerns "I aim to take you in Jake mighty tough words for a one eyed fat man Rooster" crime and lusty movies. Only seen one musical Chicago really enjoyed it.

What kind(s) of music do you like?
Blues - Rock 60's 70's - string Instruments

What is/are your favourite TV show(s)?
News, Mad Men, Deadwood, some reality and Footy

Besides surfing, what is/are your favourite sports?
Horse Racing has all the elements spirited horses, beautiful dressed women, the effects of alcohol and greed to win

What else interests you and why (besides surfing)?
Environment Issues. No need to explain.

What is your pet peeve?
People who litter especially cig butts

What do you love most?
Waking up to a gorgeous day

What is/are your favourite food(s)?
Italian, Baked pork dinner, all sweets

When you drink, what do you have?
Water, Tea, Coffee

When you pay?
As above

When I pay?
As above

What are the details of the surfboards you like to ride the most?
9ft 4in - 23in - 2 5/8in round pin Phil Myers shape

What kind of board you are thinking about getting next?
Another in the queue same dimensions this is the 30th board Phil has shaped me he is one of the best, there are a lot of great shapers locally

Who are your favourite surfers and why?
Former club member Billy Kellett was extremely talented and pure fun to surf with; R. I. P. Bill
Of the fairer sex Isabelle Braly is exceptional, her ability and free spirit in the ocean, the amount of study she has done and contest results, she is the complete surfer girl; a good role model.
Sput Keevers, Ray Gleave, Ross Cribb, Gareth Donavon, Jason Blewitt, Sandy Day, Lisa Nicholson, Belinda Baggs all top surfers and competitors but also put a lot back into surfing

Who are your nominees for the top 10 surfers (more or less) during your lifetime and why?

• Nat Young his ability and longevity and surfing genes he passed onto Beau and Bryce
• Bob McTavish for design and change
• Barry King the most free flowing style and grace to surf this area, best goofy footer to surf Lennox Point
  Josh Constable, Harley Inglebury, Joel Tudor, Kevin Connelly, Bonga Perkins, Matt Cuddihy, Dane Wilson, Heath Norrish, Jared Neal, Rubin Roxburgh, Jye Byrnes all good to watch and taking longboarding to the future

What have been your best competition results?
Winning and placings in National Titles was great but I consider Noosa the event as there are international competitors and wins or placings over the years are enjoyable, seconds at Malibu and Oceanside in 2001 are memorable

Eric at Noosa winning the Wrecks & Relics

What do you like most about competing?
Sometimes you get perfect conditions with only 5 others on the break like I had at Malibu. Three hours of surfing to travel so far and get it so good yeah, not forgetting the excitement of opening your competitor bag.

Are you a soul surfer at heart?
Yes, I love the glide and nose riding

What would be your dream surf trip?
In 1969 I went on surfari intending to go to Bells Beach but spent the month surfing between Arrawarra, Scotts Head and Crescent Head. Another trip like that all these years later would be wonderful.

How much time do you spend in the water?
A lot of time with surfing and surf schools and always feel great and happy afterwards, whether it is perfect off shore or on shore conditions

Is that enough?
Yes, why don’t I look happy? The ocean is the best for my soul I love it

THANKS Ecka!

Born to be wild

(Editor’s note: see the November 1992 club newsletter [below] for an even cheekier profile by an even younger Eric)

Yesteryear

The dusty bins of yesteryear are being spruced up for your Anniversarial amusement and amazement. Was that us?! No!! WARNING: Click at your own risk; this may cause either laughter or embarrassment, or both.
1991 Trophy Winners
1992 Nov, Eric Walker profile
1993 Col McKenzie payout p1
1993 Col McKenzie payout p2
1993 Nov p1, Brian Delaney profile
1993 Nov p2, Ken Watt Extraordinaire
1997 April newsletter p1
1997 April newsletter p2

Pic of the Month – Really Old Mal

This month is slim pickin’s for the Pic of the Month as your regular photographer has had a bout of the absences. Therefore, on the eve of the 20th Reunion, and in the spirit of nostalgia, I got the idea to make you suffer one of those “The Older I Is, The Better I Was” shots. It’s from an era when longboards were surfboards and shortboards were, well, well and truly ahead of their time. Can you guess who this mystery club member is or come close to working out the year in which it was taken? Answers next month. Maybe.

PARTY HARDY

This month’s recent birthday celebrants more or less include the Ballina Malibu Club (turning 20), Phil Calnan, David Zeman, Roger Coulthurst (on Nov 13th no less), Kerry Wilcox and, last but not least, Eric Walker takes on number 60. Hope you all bring plenty of cake and ice cream to our club’s twentieth! See you at the party.

The Ballina Malibu Club monthly newsletter production, photography and editing are by Alan Rich except where otherwise noted. The web site production and management are courtesy of Chris Bull. No unauthorised reproduction, please.