05.58 am: I peer through the blinds and have to wipe the sleep from my eyes when I see club president Wes Moore already out the front of my house waiting for me in his idling car. It was cold, dark and raining as I gingerly force myself to head out to him and I cant help thinking I would much rather still be in bed wrapped up in my doona.

By 06:15am the car is loaded with all the food, drinks and paper work to run the day, the trailer is hooked up to the back of the car and in the strengthening onsure winds we make our way towards Southend. The forecast was calling for flat conditions but when I reached the top of the walkway it was a nice surprise to be greeted with contestable waves. It was far from epic, but definitely contestable!

As the smell of bacon, eggs and coffee filled the winter's air the first heat hit the water around 8.30am. Stand out surfers of the day included Jackson Giles (who was busting 360 airs out at will), Max McGuiggan, Milena and Matt O'Reilly. All of Micros (both boys and girls) were ripping it apart and having a go, especially the girls! Even though it started out looking like some pretty average conditions the day turned out to be a pretty good on the beach with the rain holding off until a few minutes after pack up was complete. Southend Fotsul team even had a training session in the rain after woods, followed by a heavy bonding session long into the night at club sponsor the Sands Hotel..

Division winners on the day were:
Charlotte Wilson Tye Koolis Melina M Max McGuiggan Jackson Giles Matt O'Reilly Don Giles Jordan Gilbert