www.merimbulasailboardclub.com.au/

Arrived on dusk Wednesday night to a beaut 20knot southerly and lot's of 'you should have been heres.'

Thursday, no wind, small swell, plenty of supping, if that's your thing. I had a go, was better than I thought (supping that is, I was lousy at it.)

Friday was the best kiting I had, Pambula river mouth is a great spot. Outgoing tide making the 13 odd knots kiteable. Wind picked up a bit, looked up to the main and there was what seemed like a thousand kites in the sky. Wind didn't last long.

I timed my worst hangover of the year perfectly for Saturday. The morning was pouring with rain and squally. Reports of Ben Wilson and a competently keen crew kiting an angry looking south swell at Short Point.

Saturday afternoon was picture perfect, no wind but 3-4 foot waves barreling through the bar for the surfers. Was pretty crowded and the locals seemed to be getting the best of it.

Can't personally say what the Saturday night "how much can a koala bear" Australiana night was as I was too green from Friday night to attend, but all that did reported a great night.

Sunday the SSW turned on and there was plenty of kiting and wavesailing action on the main beach. It was very fluky close to shore, and very strong and gusty out the back. Most seemed to enjoy it.

Regarding the placings. I'm a little unsure about the judging criteria for this comp. I must have got it wrong because I thought the person who performed the most spine tinglingly fast, controlled maneuvers, throwing the largest buckets of water in the most critical section of the wave, then proceeded to sink the most fizz and talk the most inane nonsense that night would take it out. The fact I didn't place proves this wasn't the case.

It was a great four days, congratulations and thanks to the MSB (Merimbula Sailboard Club) for hosting it. It's a 'competition' that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The BBQ didn't stop nor disappoint, there was heaps of gear to demo, boards, kites, sups, street sups, the Corona tent was where you wanted to be, everyone was there for a good time. I didn't see on angry word pass all weekend.

Good Stuff.

I got a few epic hours at Short Point on Friday. Can't believe every one was at Main Beach.

DANEgerous said...

I got a few epic hours at Short Point on Friday. Can't believe every one was at Main Beach.

where were u saturday

is this an idea to be pursued by the average punter ?
$110 for a "t" shirt and a few bbq feeds and absolutely no chance of a look in
seams a bit excessive for a free for all social comp, not saying sponsered peeps
locked out just against each other? any support on here

how responsive would Merimbula Sailboard club be ?
or maybe next year i go for the $60 "t" shirt and eat more

If I could go to a four day comp and be able to spend as much time in water as I liked and ride free demo boards etc and have free entertainment and only have to pay $110... I'd be there in a flash.The Club should charge more than the $110 but we don't because all workers are voluntary.
Unless we cover the costs we would not be able to hold the event so cheaply....eg a T shirt exclusive we sell for $35...where you buy one in a surf shop for $40.
The "few' BBQ feeds is an ongoing session all you can eat for four days from breakfast to arvo.
Corona's for $3...can't beat that.
And top prizes such as kites and new boards go to 'up and comers' not pros and depending where you come out in draw you always get a prize.

The Club introduced the $65 ticket for partners not going in event and that is four days feed plus a T shirt so if people are thinking of scamming that deal and still going in water you would be compromising the insurance cover we pay for so thanks for the warning.

As I said on the first day welcoming we are all volunteers,the club needs to cover expenses so we can keep the event going and pay for expenses of keeping the club going all year and on top of that MSC contributes significantly to projects such as school surfing,junior windsurfing.The surf rescue facility set up at the event that assists competitors in trouble will need a way to differentiate between those who pay and any bludgers on the system.
We also have to pay for an Aquatic licence and a liquot licence and event insurance and security for three nights...the list goes on.

I agree with ****detector. I reckon I ate nearly $110 worth of food off the BBQ in 4 days & the cheerful dude who cooked all weekend even gave my dog a few bits of steak for his dinner :)

Add to that the demos, the parties, the preso, the cheap beer and the awesome original t-shirt... it's a no brainer.

And Ezza's dog was a great help with the judging

John Smythe said...

And Ezza's dog was a great help with the judging

this may explain things,ezza is it a guide dog

The Classic has never been put up as simply a competition.If thats what you want we can run heats with judges on the beach and send you home when you miss being placed..This is THE event where you get to ride alongside some of the best in the game,check them out,emulate them if you like....
Because it's so big in numbers we only have so many trophy places and then the next ranked entrants in all disciplines get drawn out as 'top performers' and there were about 30 or more of these and very few were 'pros' just guys and chicks that go for it.
Apart from one or two you may find some are "sponsored" with a bit of gear etc and most hold down full time jobs necessary to support their habit,be it kie wave sail or SUP or all three.
Maybe we should coin the phrase..."the Classic is not a contest but a way of life"???
And don't be harsh on the dog,he saw more than you think!!

Hey Bennie
The King ...and The Queen are for outstanding performances in at least two of the three disciplines...we were doing three but then we fighured we'd have the same few all the time.....so in this instance both king and Queen ripped in both kiting and SUP

Masters are 35yo to 45yo
and grand Masters are Over 45yo

The phrase 'throwing buckets' gets tossed around a bit these days;






How many 9 liter buckets in the air in the last shot?

Come next year and well make sure you are never cured

Joe Cron said...

The phrase 'throwing buckets' gets tossed around a bit these days;





How many 9 liter buckets in the air in the last shot?

if he was on a 6' reef break i would be impresed

Enter your dog next year Ezza. Well have atrophy for King and Queen Dog. Will win a slab for owner and a life membership to BBQ xxx