Newsletter 10.5.08
A small but contestable 2ft swell greeted the 60 surfers who competed in the 2008 Adam Baker Memorial Contest on Saturday 10th May. With trophies and 100 rating points up for grabs all seven divisions would be fiercely contested.
With Sam Page unable to contest the A Grade final it was left to Ricardo, Ben Hamilton and Nick Riley to tussle for the win. Riley started strongly and was never headed, with Ben claiming second and Ricardo third.
The B Grade final saw big Morton, correction Morgan Lane claim his first title from Rat, Meggsy and Terry Bishop. Morgan has made the bold prediction that if he earns a podium finish his year he will make the jump to A Grade next year. A honourable move by a man with limitless surfing potential…
The U/14’s division has seen a rapid growth in participation with 20 competitors checking in for the Baker. It is fantastic to see so many young surfers competing in our club and these numbers will ultimately lift the levels of performance in the junior divisions. Young ripper Blaise Bell won a tight final from Harry Hayes and Luke Hajje.
Other winners to take home trophies were Marvo (O/35’s), Blake Levett (U/18’s), Sue Levett (Women’s) and Bronte (Jnr Women’s).
A-Grade |
B-Grade |
O/35's |
1. Riley |
1. Morgan |
1. Marvo |
2. Ben H |
2. Rat |
2. Bell |
3. Ricardo |
3. Meggsy |
3. TM |
U/18's |
U/14's |
Snr Women |
Jnr Women |
1. Blake L |
1. Blaise B |
1. Sue |
1. Bronte |
2. Tom L |
2. Harry H |
2. Courtney |
2. Tori |
3. Wyatt |
3. Luke H |
3. Bronte |
3. Emily |
Special thanks to Bryce ‘Baby Egor’ Martiskan, Tori Levett, Blake Levett and Blaise Bell for judging more than their fair share of heats during the middle of the day. For their efforts each of these members receives a $50 gift voucher courtesy of our long time sponsor Australian Surfer HQ.
Highlights of the day include the high standard of surfing in the A-Grade repercharge, with Ricardo scoring a 9.5/10 after demolishing a full-faced Queenscliff lefthander, and the performances of two of our youngest members. Firstly well done to Jordan Tremlett, who’s surfing is improving faster than anyone else in the club. Surfing against competitors several years his senior, Jordan made it through to the semi finals knocking-out some big name U/14 competitors along the way. And secondly, after many months of nagging the Contest Sector into giving her an opportunity to surf against the boys in U/14’s, Tori Levett entered the water in the last U/14’s heat of the day. Tori’s challenge was to prove she could compete against the other competitors in this division and after the 15 minute heat was complete Tori had answered the challenge by winning the heat. Tori will now be a regular competitor in the U/14’s, as well as Jnr Women, and I’m sure there will be a few more red faced U/14’s who get beaten by Tori before the years end. Well done Jordan and Tori, and don’t be surprised if you see one of these two claiming the 2008 Most Improved/Rising Star Award come December.
It seems like more often than not this newsletter contains updates of a recent weddings and births. This must mean we are a club of very handsome gentlemen, and gentlewomen, who are well practiced in the art of throwing the leg over, as they say. Or we are a lonely bunch of blokes chasing any sheila who can’t afford the pill!? Either way congratulations to Robert and Skye Abernethy who were married in a small ceremony at Shelley Beach on Saturday 10th May. The newlyweds honeymooned in Fiji, and 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 June Contest to be held on Saturday 31st May. The contest will be run one week earlier than usual to avoid clashing with the Queens Birthday long weekend. With the increase in numbers in our junior divisions the cut-off time for A-Grade, B-Grade, U/18’s and U/14’s will now be 8.00am. This has been done in an attempt to evenly spread the divisions with higher participation numbers evenly throughout the day. O/35’s cut-off will remain at 7.30am and both Women’s and Jnr Women’s will remain at 10.00am. To avoid disappointment please inform all your friends of these changes. A word of advice to all competitors – when checking in for the contest please come prepared to surf in the first heat of the day. Numerous, usually intelligent people, have made a habit of driving to the beach on contest morning without their equipment but still checking in. Murphy’s Law normally has these surfers drawn in the first heat of the day, and when this happens the surfer returns home in a panic to retrieve their board and wetsuit. From this point on every other competitor and heat is held up because of one persons stupidity. If you are a rockstar then act like one, but last time I checked there were no rockstars in QBC.
Tickets for the QBC 30th year Gala Ball, to be held at Manly Pier Restaurant on 15th November, are currently on sale. Twenty of the 120 available tickets have already been sold so bring your cash to the June Contest to secure your seat. Tickets are $125 per person and include a 3-course meal, beer and wine. Word on the street is that former professional surfer, founding QBC member and world-renowned pianist Kingsley Looker will be tinkling the ivories during the night. Further word on the street is that former professional surfer, QBC life member and world-renowned disco dancer Scott Bell will be burning up the dance floor during the night. If you consider yourself to have any form of allegiance to QBC you will not want to miss this night.
And finally, an update on our resident hypochondriac Spudlett. The pain has now moved from his scrotum to his shoulder and betting has been suspended on where the pain will travel to next. Again, as you always say to me, any reco is good reco.
See you in the water,
Brad.