We rocked up just after 8am to find the waves were a solid 4-5ft with some bigger close out sets coming through every 10 minutes. A light SW was blowing when we arrived but within 15 min the SE wind got into it making conditions that little bit tougher. The event organisers made the call that each surfer could only catch 2 waves instead of 3 with each surfers 2^nd wave counting as their power wave. It didn’t leave any room for error.

Our 1^st team of Josh Ku, Adam Seminara, Luke Fletcher, Karl Richards and Jake Nurmi were up against Ulladulla, Nth Shelly and Avalon 2. Josh started well with a solid scoring wave but unfortunately slipped on his power wave and missed the opportunity for double points. This was the story of the heat for the rest of our fellas. All got scored really well on their 1^st waves but couldn’t capitalise by getting a score on their 2^nd “power” wave. Luck eluded all our boys but the most unlucky was Adam Semo who picked a nice walling wave which allowed him to do a few nice turn straight up before he got dropped in on by a free surfer hillbilly from Ulladulla. He had to straighten out and only received a low score. Highlights of the heat were Karl’s awesome backhand attack on his 1^st wave and young Jake Nurmi’s who pulled off one of the best floaters I’ve seen in a long time. The boys finished in 4^th spot. They were disappointed with the result but didn’t make any excuses and no doubt they will be better for the experience come next year.

Next up was our 2^nd team of Blake Garnett, Dave Chorley and young guys Mitch Kennedy, Sam Barron and Hank Hartley. We faced off against the groms from Werri, Queenscliff and Elouera. Blake was first in and scored 2 nice ones to get the team going. Next up was young Mitch. He dodged a massive clean-up set before taking off on a left which he ripped apart. A series of fulley sickeley cutties had the crew on the beach cheering. This was easily the best wave that any of the crew had caught all day. Paddling back out for his 2^nd he copped a solid set on the head but it didn’t frighten the young fella one bit. He swung around on a solid on a few minutes later but unfortuately slipped as he was setting up a big move and missing the chance for a big score on his 2^nd wave. Hank was next up and he showed us why he won the cadets this year. There was no mistaking his smooth flowing style as he ripped up both his waves. Once he puts a bit of weight on there will be no stopping him. Sam stepped up next and like Mitch got a nice looking left and ripped 2 nice big cutbacks. Unfortunately his 2^nd wave wasn’t to be. It fizzed out and didn’t do much. Dave finished off strongly catching 2 waves in 8 minutes and just crossed the line seconds before the siren went to secure the bonus points. The boys finished in 4^th but may have placed higher if they would have been able to find the good scores on their power waves.

Hats off to the younger groms Sam, Mitch and Hank. They stepped up and showed us that they have what it takes when the pressure is on. They surfed the solid 4-6ft conditions brilliantly. There was no doubt amongst the older boys that if these 3 boys + Jake Nurmi stick together over the next few years they will be leading our teams in all tag events.

The bus ride back from Avalon was pretty hectic. Scott O’Brien who was allowed out for the first time in months by his misses went nuts. The guys in Northbridge are still in therapy after he showed all those stiffs what you thought of them. Karl and Rich faced off in a skolling contest with Karlos whipping the Red Ninja and Dustin Cooley proving to us that he needs to change his diet cause the smell coming from that kid’s body were ridiculous.

 

Congratulations to all the boys who competing on the w/e. Thanks to Juddy Atkins who came along as the team reserve. You all did our club proud. We are planning on mixing up the comp formats next year to help prepare our guys for the team challenges. Also thanks to Wez and Matt O for organising and driving the bus and to Rich and Semo for organising the team. 

 

For the record event favourites North Narra won the title for the 2^nd year running on Sunday arvo in great 3-5ft waves.