Newsletter 12.4.08
What a difference a week can make at the world famous Queenscliff Beach. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the knuckleheads at Volcom for holding their VQS event at our beach on the first Saturday in April. Anyone who is anyone in surfing knows the first Saturday of any month is contest day at Queenie and obviously the VQS event organisers are nobodies as they failed to recognise what has been happening at our beach for over 29 years when scheduling their contest. But this worked in our favour as the VQS event was held in flat conditions (and won by QBC member Luke Cheadle) while the April QBC contest was held in a clean and contestable 2-3ft ESE swell a week later.
Sixteen of the 50 surfers who competed on the day contested the U/14's division. Defending champion Bryce 'Baby Egor' Martiskan was unable to make it back-to-back victories after complaining of a sore knee while Spencer Price was looking like a young Marilyn Monroe after lemon juicing his hair. Hayden Bowra won the final and $20 first prize, with Spencer, Mitch Forsyth and Harry Hayes claiming the minor placing.
B-Grade also started with 16 surfers and concluded with a four man final being contested by Brett Cohn, Jake Summo, Morgan ' I'm good enough for A-Grade' Lane and The Wave Rat. Jake got the nod from the judges and claimed the 100 points on offer for the win. He was followed closely by Morgan, Brett and Rat in a wave-starved final.
A-Grade |
B-Grade |
O/35's |
1. Jesse |
1. Jake |
1. TM |
2. Tickle |
2. Morgan |
2. Paul B |
3. Ben H |
3. Brett C |
3. Gillespie |
U/18's |
U/14's |
Snr Women |
Jnr Women |
1. Dan K |
1. Hayden B |
1. Bronte |
1. Tori |
2. Stu B |
2. Spencer P |
2. Courtney |
2. - |
3. Bronte |
3. Mitch F |
3. Tori |
3. - |
Special thanks to Ricardo for judging more than his fair share of heats, Courtney for taking registrations and Rob Zammut and Spencer Price for running to Australian Surfer HQ, in their wetsuits, to pick up the gift vouchers. Each of these members receives a $50 gift voucher courtesy of Australian Surfer HQ.
Congratulations to Wyatt Cullum who claimed second place in Junior Board Display at the National Surf Life Saving Titles held at Scarborough Beach in Perth at the start of the month. Wyatt had a rough start to the year but put that all behind him in the small conditions off the Western Australian coast in claiming a silver medal. Also well done to Luke Cheadle who won the Volcom VQS event at our beach on Saturday 5th April. Luke now heads to America to compete against the other regional qualifiers in the Volcom VQS World Championships to be held at Newport Beach from 9th-11th May. Good luck Luke and may the force be with you.
Congratulations also go to long time member Tim Mannion and his even longer time partner Benita Chambers who were married at Palm Beach on Saturday 8th March. The newlyweds honeymooned in Samoa following their wedding. On behalf of all QBC members I wish you all the best for a lifetime of happiness together.
The next event on the QBC Calender is the Adam Baker Memorial Contest, to be held on Saturday 3rd May (normal cut-off times apply). Adam was a long-standing member of QBC until a brain aneurism cut short his life on 28th December 1998, age 27. Adam had a unique surfing style, judged by some to resemble a penguin, and is sorely missed by his family and friends. The contest is dedicated to the memory of Adam and is hotly contested each year by all club members. An Awards Presentation will be held at the Manly Civic Club on the evening of the contest starting at 7.30pm, and as usual QBC will be putting money on the bar for its members.
Don't forget to purchase your tickets for the QBC 30th year Gala Ball to be held at Manly Pier Restaurant on 15th November. Tickets will be on sale at the May club contest at a cost of $125 per person and includes a 3 course meal, beer and wine, and guest appearances by such QBC icons as Ironside, Marshall, Bain, Looker, Bell and Puppet (just kidding). Tickets are limited to 120 so get in early to avoid disappointment as there wont be another night like this for another 30 years.
And finally, good luck to our resident hypochondriac Spudlett who is scheduled to have an ultrasound later this week. No he's not pregnant, but needs some seeing too after receiving a kick in the dusters (aka nuts, balls, testicles). All the best mate, I hope a gay male doctor examines you on a bitterly cold day. As you always say to me, any reco is good reco..
See you in the water,
Brad.