SURF CLUB: MARCH 17

Comp Wrap by Cass Hurrell 
Photos by Kane Skennar

Sunday 17th March, kicked off the first semi-competitive social comp presented by Wild Things - Surf Club.

Surf Club is a local comp to bring the longboarding community together around an event with judging criteria that is relevant to the way everyone we know is surfing. Judging was based on the variety of manoeuvers both classic and progressive, performed in the critical section of the wave with speed, power and flow, while giving a nod to traditional Australian surfing.

Swell conditions on the day directed us to a super fun clean A-frame beach break and Heat 1 of the Open Mens draw was underway by 7.30am. Keeping the flow fair, Heat 1 of the Open Ladies followed, continuing to alternate through out the day. We were stoked to have a strong lineup of local crew, as well as some international surfers, such as Robin Kegel, Robin Falxa, Jared Mell and Lola Mignot taking part in the first comp.

The sun was shining, eskies were full of Bucha, Daily Bars were getting passed around freely, the surf was on, Sunday morning Surf Club meet was off to a fab start. As the tide was on it's way out we saw plenty of head dips, sneaky barrels, critical nose rides and and some explosive styles and manoeuvers that definitely pushed the boundaries of modern longboarding.

The Women’s final was welcomed by the dead low tide. We saw, Lola gracefully making her way to the nose hanging 10, Clareo super clean critical turns, Ro's signature drop knee, Eleanor hanging 5 on her back hand and I (Cass) was forever chasing the lefts tucking into some decent close outs. End result, Surf Club women’s final dominator was Jessamyn Jean. Jean's last wave the highest score, tucking into a close out barrel riding switch and sticking it, the crowd cheering as she popped out of the white wall of foam.

The Mens final was right after the womens, still not far off dead low tide, and all competitors on 9ft plus boards. The standard of surfing was fantastic however it was those hunting out the set waves that seemed to pull the best scores. Max's strategy of hard bottom turns and blasting off the top didnt quite pay off but he did score a few quick noserides before the closeout, Robin Kegel managed a few classic cutbacks and critical tens on some smaller waves. Kahu surfed consistently well throughout the comp to come in 4th. Myles Doughman flying through some of the biggest suckiest sections of the day on the nose into his huge signature drop-knee turn took out third place. Jared Mell from California was everywhere, with a variety of critical noserides, in between a few headdips and barrels, landing himself second place. However to take out the win it was Jack Medland from WA who picked brilliant waves that allowed him to surf to the criteria, pocket turns, critical nose rides, fast cheater fives through steep sometimes seemingly unmake-able sections. Both finals had only a couple of points between 1st and 6th, ridiculously close, with both needing count backs to decide the final placings.

Surf Club was wrapped up by 1.30pm just in time for the tropical downpour, yet the clouds cleared again as we met back at Wild Things later arvo for the after party. The BBQ fired up, thanks Trevor's Meats and Bread Social. The Balter beers were on ice and flowing down nicely.

DJ Molly (aka dj fun mum) sided with DJ Myles shred lord Doughman, spinning classics that had everybody in the mood to PARTY! An Art show by Robin Falxa and Rebecca Abayarri decorated the walls and in true Wild Things style, Surf Club's first after-party celebration was well under way. Surf Club's Jack Lynch MC’d the presentation ceremony and the winners took home handmade foam trophies by Paige Miller. By this stage there was a full house! Dom Sullivan's film, Sun Damage premiered to a room of surfers hooting and hollering.

At 9pm (and luckily after the movie) the rains and wind hit. The palm trees going mental and half the induzzy was in a black out, enforcing Surf Club party to an early end. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, agreed Andy. It was great to see everyone coming together and celebrating the longboarding community and safe to say the first Surf Club meet was an overall success!

Thanks to all who joined and spread the Surf Club word as next comp is confirmed for Sunday May 5th. Yew see y'all there!

Final Results 

Womens
1st Jessamyn Jean
2nd Lola Mignot
3rd Clare Sullivan
4th Roisin Carolan
5th Eleanor McCready
6th Cass Hurrell

Mens
1st Jack Medland
2nd Jared Mell
3rd Myles Doughman
4th Kahu Andronicus
5th Robin Kegel
6th Max Tynan