After our previous run of bad luck conditions wise, we had our finger crossed that event 1 for 2012 was going to have surf.
Besides being the first event for 2012 it was planned on being our first "heat format" surfing competition.
With the mix of ability levels in the club, we wanted to make sure everyone surfed two heats, got to mix it up in the water with all skills levels, as well as push themselves against surfers of a similar calibre.
With this in mind, every ones first heat was a random draw who you surfed with. The second round of heat placements was decided via a ranking from each persons two highest wave scores from round one.
The top four scores were virtually the "A" final, next four "B" final and the "C's" composed of a three man final heat.
Thankfully there were waves! Low tide Ocean Grove main beach had some small clean waves pushing through for us.
Everyone bustled to get the tent set up, rego's signed, heats placements sorted and get in the water.
Sparx as usual, was looking for the lefts to smash.
Sparrow swooping off the bottom....
Alan looking down the line.
Ant staying close to the curl.
John going hard.....
Leon using the rail......
...and drawing some S's.
Kev just stoked to be on the water.
Tom and Leon both made some new friends.
Tom was frothing as usual and cranking some nice turns.
The judging was a very serious business!
New member Dave was a welcome addition.
Digging deep for one of the better waves of the day.
Lummers span and slashed his way to victory, making the most of the small conditions.
While maybe not as high performance as the other finals, the "C's" were just as competitive with Dave, Kev and Alan making sure they were catching just as many waves as each other. The placings here were Kev and Dave tied with Alan only a smidgen behind.
The level of surfing in the 'B' final was easily as high as the "A's" and any of these guys could have done well in that final. This was taken out by Tom followed by Michael, Leon and John.
Sparx, Ant and Sparrow all pushed Lummers in the 'A' final in the rapidly deteriorating conditions. With final placings being Matt, Sparx, Ant then Sparrow.
To the victors went the spoils.
With each final winner taking home some refreshments for the afternoon kindly supplied by VB.
We'd like to thank all those that turned up, helped out and made it an awesome morning.
Our next event was originally scheduled for the 13th of May but someone reminded us this was mothers day. So the next event will be Saturday the 12th of May. Further dates to put in the diary for the rest of the year are the 8th of July, 9th of September and 11th of November with more detail on each event to follow.
Hopefully we will see you in the soup sometime soon.
Cheers
Bass SUP
