On the 7th of May 2011 the Bass Strait Stand Up Paddle Club held its second event at Main Beach Ocean Grove. After the ordinary surf conditions for the first event forcing us onto the river for some flat water fun, everyone had their fingers crossed that the wind and waves would be favorable this time round.
Bass Strait Stand Up Paddle Club was started by a committee of six enthusiastic stand up paddlers based around the Surf Coast and is comprised of both those working in the surf industry and some keen punters.
We have wanted to keep the first few events low key, with the current member base coming mainly from a member drive at the January Rola SUP Event at Torquay (originally planned as Vic Titles) and word of mouth until we got organisation bedded down. However with the success of event two due to the awesome conditions, some hard work and a great turn out, it is the perfect time to let a few more people know about the club.
The plan was to try and catch the incoming to high tide in the afternoon while letting people get other Saturday morning commitments out of the way and we were praying that the forecast South-South Westerlies would stay light for the arvo. Imagine our stoke when the wind stayed light offshore all day and a nice little 2-3 foot swell popped up.
The committee and a few keen members arrived early to get set up for a 12-12.30 start and make the most of the glassy little peelers.
SUPers came from all over the Surfcoast and Bellarine Peninsula, as well as a few making the drive down the highway from Melbourne and even the Mornington Peninsula.
The BBQ was fired up straight away and turns were taken to cook and serve snags, welcome current members, sign up some new ones, talk about gear, give some pointers and make the most of the classic little waves.
Bass SUP's big VB esky took pride of place in the middle of the setup, with a great view of the action.
Bass SUP aims to ensure that members of all skill levels get as much water time as possible, so rather than running competition heats, expression sessions are the planned order. This was a great format with people swapping boards, throwing down snags and cold drinks in between catching a few waves.
We were grateful for DJ bringing down SHQ's PSH Hull Paddler Hybrid and the board was inspected closely and got a lot of interest when committee member Phill wasn't putting it through its paces.
DJ is renowned for his photo taking and true to form he took a heap while sneaking in a few waves over the afternoon.
DJ, Brendan and a number of other SUP Vic (another Victorian SUP Club) committee and members are also signed up members of Bass SUP and vice versa. Bass SUP looks forward to continuing to work together with Sup Vic for the advancement of Stand Up Paddling and putting smiles on paddlers faces everywhere.
When not polishing off snags, Brendan was surfing his beautiful looking Coreban very well and managed to time a little cross over action with Leon.
Committee Member and Vicco GSI man Matt Martin brought his trailer full of toys for anyone to try. In between advising on boards, fins and helping with proceedings he got some great rides.
Not needing any introduction, the clubs El Presidente Matt Lumley took the first shift on cooking duties and after lighting up the barbee for awhile headed out and proceeded to light up the surf as well with hacks and trips to the nose.
Fresh from being run out of South Australia after getting some awesome results at the Robe Easter Classic and seeming to find any empty wave coming through, Tom White clocked up an impressive wave count and tore up each one right to the beach.
In the midst of the familiar faces were some surprise packages like Markus who got his NSP for Christmas last year and after doing his time on the bay has advanced to the wave zone and is coming along nicely.
Brad was throwing his big Starboard round like no-bodies business.
It was commented that Guriel was like a grom, putting the demo Walden 9'11 into some speed runs.
And his grin here pretty much summed up how everyone was feeling.
Justin from Torquay spent a heap of time in the water and was throwing down some big turns on his Stand Sure that these photos don't do real justice.
After making the trip down the highway with his son , Michael seemed to have a ball both in the waves and having a chin wag afterwards.
David Nankervis has been a big help to Bass SUP with his safety expertise and on the day he probably spent more time in the surf than anyone.
The gallery of happy spectators, including committee member Cam Lamperd and Surfcoast Legend Sparrow spent their time checking out the action and supervising the kids trying out some street SUP action.
The high tide meant negotiating the slippery section at the bottom of the boat ramp.
Club Treasurer Kev had a little sleep on his feet just before the slippery bit, while waiting for a lull.
Club Secretary Rich and Sparx stopped for a chat on the sand before heading out. Rich was probably saying..."some of those left handers you got were SICK!"
Sparx spent most of his time away from the crowd down on the reef, shredding left hander after left hander.
The dark horse of the day, travelling right around the bay, Leon paddled out on his little blue Laguna and blew it up. Once again the pics don't do his surfing for the day justice .
As the afternoon faded, lonely peelers rolled across the bluff.....
and Kristi wouldn't come in......
and as per the first event, neither would John...
....everyone started drying off, warming up and comparing waves.
Discussions were were had........
Presentations were made.....
......and the day was voted a success.
After everyone had gone and everything was packed up, the committee did all that was left to do.....
Results for the day:
Best Wave: Graham "Sparx" Briggs
Most Water Time: David Nankervis
Highest Wave Count: Tom White
Best Wipe out: Kristi Page (courtesy of another SUPer)
and
Best Surfer for the Day: Leon Blachos.
With some interest from way down south west Vic and even across into crow eater territory and up into the northern warmer states, Bass SUP welcomes participation from SUP brethren everywhere.
Thanks heaps to everyone who turned up and made the day the success that it was.
Special thanks to:
Farm Foods
Strapper Surf
F.C.S
