Surfers paddle into 60th birthday celebrations in style
THEY’RE up and riding in what is set to be a year of celebrations for the Phillip Island Boardriders Club’s 60th birthday. Established in 1963, PIBC lays claims to being one of the oldest continuously running surfing clubs in Australia. And...
THEY’RE up and riding in what is set to be a year of celebrations for the Phillip Island Boardriders Club’s 60th birthday.
Established in 1963, PIBC lays claims to being one of the oldest continuously running surfing clubs in Australia.
And what’s the best way to celebrate – go surfing!
At the weekend it all got underway with the first event on a diverse calendar of events, the 10th annual Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve Teams Challenge.
The event was staged down at Magiclands on the world-famous Cape Woolamai Beach, and while the wind was cross-shore and the conditions messy at times, there were good waves to be had and part of the challenge was selecting a breaking wave or reforming wave that was going to give you the scoring opportunities.
And across all categories in the team format, including Super Grommet (under 14), Junior (21 and under), Open Man, Open Woman, Kneeboarder (or 40 plus shortboard), Single-fin Rider, Malibu Rider, Open, Over 50 Short Boarder and Twin-fin (pre-1985); there was some great action.
Overall though, everyone surfed with commitment to getting as many points as possible for their teams including The Spoonbills, Flames, Crushers, Woolamai Hards, Wayheaps and Go Eddie.
It was a fun occasion when old and young engaged in a common pursuit and there was plenty of encouragement across the age groups, men and women, as teams prepared to hit the water.
In the end it was Team Crushers, captained by Nick Fostin with an impressive 84.7 points who rose above the waves to claim the win and the Dave Fincher Memorial Trophy to start off this wonderful celebration of surfing in style – together having fun at Woolamai.
The Festival of Surfing is being held throughout January and February and will showcase surfing culture through events, competitions, exhibitions, displays, art, and live music.
It’s also about celebrating the 10-year anniversary of The Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve - hard to believe that the area was only declared a National Surfing Reserve in 2013.
Festival program really heats up in February with the following events:
* 3 February: Festival Opening at Bang Bang Vintage Surfboard Display
* 4 February ‘Come and Try Surfing’ Island Surfboards Bookings instore or 03 5952 3443
* 4 & 5 February Woolworths Victorian Junior Surfing Titles - Round 1
* 4 & 5 February P.I.B.C team representing at the Australian Boardriders Battle Newcastle Watch live on Free To Air
* 11 Februrary Cat Bay Longboard Classic Phillip Island Boardriders Club
* 11 February Supergroms at Smiths Beach 12th February Disabled Surfers Association Smiths Beach Register www.disabledsurfers.org
* 15 & 16 February 24/7 Surfers Rescue Program Book online www.surfingvictoria.com.au
* 18 February Twin Fin Event Phillip Island Boardriders Club
* 18 & 19 February Indigenous High Performance Training Camp Surfing Australia
* 25 February Victorian Open Round 3
* 25 February Cutback Festival Phillip Island Boardriders Clubhouse
* 26 February Victorian Teams Titles
