Conditions look favourable for Malfunction
Organisers are confident that surf conditions will be favourable for the Malfunction Surf Festival when surfing begins with the Bic One Board Challenge on Wednesday. After negations with the local council to postpone any more sand pumping onto Rainbow Bay until after the festival, surfers and spectators will be pleased to know that a new 2-4ft easterly swell has been forecast for early next week.
With over 260 entries received for the 17 different divisions available, from all around Australia together with international competitors from 5 different countries this is the biggest Malfunction for several years. Competitors range from the 12 yr old Doyle twins Brodie and Amiya, who are surfing in the under 18 girls while their father contests the over 50’s division to 78 year old Barry “Magoo” McGugian who late last year won the Australian over 60’s title in 3 metre seas in West Australia.
This year’s Malfunction has attracted the star of the 1964 surf flick “the Endless Summer” Robert August, big wave legend and surfboard shaper Billy Hamilton and Queensland’s first surfboard manufacturer, Joe Larkin along with ASP world champion Josh Constable.
With many of Australia’s professional longboard competitors not due to arrive back in Australia from Anglet France where they are contesting the $50,000 Oxbow Pro until 7am Wednesday, organisers have agreed to reshuffle the running order for the opening event the Bic One Board Challenge.
Thursday will see competitors competing in the Golden Breed Retro competing on a range of boards all constructed prior to 1981 before the opening rounds of the ASP World Longboard Tour Mens and Womens Surftech Pro on Friday morning.
One division that is sure to be a big hit is the Stand Up Paddle Surf division. Originally scheduled as an exhibition only, this ancient discipline of surfing has attracted 14 competitors from across the Pacific and a coaching clinic will be held next Saturday morning at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour.
A press conference with pro longboard competitors and people of media interest will take place 10am Wednesday morning poolside at Greenmount Beach Resort, Hill St Coolangatta.
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