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SPILLS & THRILLS FOR STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS
OLD SURFERS SOLDIER ON
Ray Gleave
Kerien Taylor PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY www.snapperrocks.com.au
Excellent surfing conditions prevailed for day 2 of the Hyundai Malfunction Surfing Festival 2008. A consistent 1 metre south east swell combing the predominantly right hand point break, at Main Beach, Kingscliff in front of the Cudgen Surf Club, a new venue to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Australia’s Premier Longboard Event.
The ever popular and new sport to longboard riding, the Honolua Stand Up Paddle Category proved to be incredibly exciting although Heat 1 of the Honolua Stand Up Paddle was marked by a horrible accident when Tweed Coast Surfer, Kawika Boyce attempted to execute a backhand airdrop floater in the critical section of the wave only to twist his back foot and consequently snapped his ankle right at the end of the heat. Had the manoeuvre been successful Boyce was looking to qualify for Saturday’s semis but had to be rescued from the water by competitors in the following heat, Woogie Marsh and Shakira Westdorp. “Shakira and I immediately went to the rescue noticing that Kawika needed help and together with some support from the local free surfers were able to get Kawika back to the beach and he was later taken to Tweed Hospital with a diagnosed broken angle and subsequently out of action for the remainder of the event.”
Currumbin’s Woody Jack totally dominated the opening heat of the morning with 14 points out of 20, and Burleigh Lifeguard and SUP contender James “Billy” Watson placed second on 11.33, both qualifying for Saturday mornings Semi Final of the Honolua Stand Up Paddle Boards at 8am. Bowing out in 3rd place was Kawika Boyce on 6.97, and in 4th place was Mermaid Beach Lifeguard Tai Graham. Graham has qualified for Sunday’s Golden Breed Retro Final.
The “Kawika Boyce” rescue team of Woogie Marsh and Shakira Westdorp took 1st and 2nd respectively in heat 2. Well known surfing identity and former Pro Junior surfer Byron Bay’s Guy Walker and sponsor of the Honolua Stand Up Paddle Boards won heat 3 on 9.57 out of 20 with Simon Dodd 2nd on 8.76. Heat 4, Hawaiian surfer now living in Currumbin, Kerien Taylor was the top scorer of the Honolua Stand Up Paddle Board Round 1 with 14.33 out of 20. Placing 2nd to Taylor was “reborn” stand up paddle boarder Ray Gleave with 12.17 eliminating Gold Coast City Lifeguard Mick Dibetta in 3rd on 11.04.
Kerien Taylor just so happens to be the great nephew of Hollywood Iconic Actress Elizabeth Taylor and Kingscliff’s “King of the Longboards” Ray Gleave has now qualified for 3 categories. The Golden Breed Old Mal, the ANZ Kingscliff Over 40s, and the Honolua Stand Up Paddle Boards. Gleave won his first Old Mal final in the Inaugural years of the Malfunction Surfing Festival 25 years ago. At 49 years of age, Gleave is chasing the trifecta at this years Hyundai Malfunction Surfing Festival.
Defending champion of the ANZ Kingscliff Over 40s Jay Carter, 46, born in Bondi and now living at Kingscliff was happy to win his opening heat with 12 out of 20. Second position was Tugun’s Nigel Beckham 11.01, and Gold Coast City Lifeguard Grant Davies in 3rd with 12.34. 1sr, 2nd, and 3rd qualify for Saturday’s Semis.
Jay Carter and his brother Storm are the originators behind the Surf Tag Teams format on a trip to Bells Beach for the Easter Pro in 1986. Their idea was inspired by the Olympic Australian “Dream Team”. Carter admitted that the ANZ Kingscliff Over 40s Men’s competition will be tough referring to a stack of talent, “Ray Gleave, Ian Pearson, Mick Riddle, Nigel Beckham, they will be some of the guys to watch for”. When asked if he approved of the venue change from Rainbow Bay to Kingscliff he said, “while I prefer the perfection of Rainbow Bay I do feel more relaxed down here at Kingscliff and it’s a better atmosphere. As in every event it is all a matter of picking the right waves and sitting in the right spot.”
Once again the stand out of the day was Ray Gleave and top scorer in the ANZ Kingscliff Over 40s with 14 out of 20. Other winners included Ian Pearson (Banora Point) who overcame bruised ribs to win heat 2 with 12.67 out of 20. Rainbow Bay’s Mick Riddle won heat 3 on 11.01 out of 20, Mick’s daughters Selby and Tegan will compete in tomorrow’s Surf Tech Women’s Professional category. Controversy erupted in heat 3 when co-commentator Reid Johnson who was on track to qualify for the semis unfortunately was deemed interference with a blatant drop-in and being relegated to 4th position and a permanent position on the commentary panel.
The Duke Longboard Over 50s Heat winners are, Jeff “Bully” Arnold (Tweed Heads) with the highest score in that category of 14.16 out of 20, followed by current Over 50s Australian National Champ Peter Becker (Murwillumbah) on 13.06, and Mike Pimm (Casuarina) third highest score on 12.56 and local surfer and sponsor Tony Abood (Kingscliff) on 8.84 out of 20.
The Robert August Longboard Over 60s finished off an exciting and pleasurable day of surfing with the pioneers of Australian Surfing. A former National Champion and always a contender in the “good old boys” category, Neville Smith (Brisbane) won heat 1 of the Robert August Over 60s with `13.83 out of 20 from Victoria’s surfing historian Bob Smith on 10.23. Heat 2 was won by Burleigh Longboard rider Dennis Lowe on 11 points with Rip Curl co-owner Doug “Claw” Warbrick on 5.6 out of 20. Heat 3 was won by Pacific Longboard Magazine Publisher Malcolm Brough on 14.07 out of 20 from legendary longboarder and photographer Eddie Saunden on 7.27.
Friday morning (ANZAC Day) the first round of the Surf Tech Open Men’s Professional (2 star LQS event) hits the water with a star studded field with young modern longboard riders. Heat 1 has last years runner up Harrison Roach (Sunshine Coast) is up against Bryce Young (Yamba) and youngest son of Nat Young; heat 2 features 2006 winner Harley Ingleby (Coffs Harbour); heat 3 defending champ Dane Pioli (NSW); heat 4 former world champ Josh Constable (Noosa); heat 5 Grant “GT” Thomas (Noosa); heat 6 Jackson Close (Currumbin, and Heath Norrish (Tweed Coast); heat 7 last years finalist Jared Neal (Coffs Harbour); and Heat 8 Seb Wilson (Noosa). Straight after the Surf Tech Men's Professional will be the Surf Tech Open Women's Profession (2 star LQS event) featuring: Heat 1 Kirsty Webster (Tweed Coast) and Crystal Dzigas (Hawaii); heat 2 former winner and rated number 3 in the world Chelsea Williams (Tweed Coast) and Tegan Riddle (Rainbow Bay); heat 3 Selby Riddle (Rainbow Bay), Lisa Nicholson (Tweed Heads), and Tessa Davidson (Byron Bay).
At 12 noon a 1 minute silence for ANZAC Day, the remainder of the Friday events will by the Lipton Ice Tea Amateur Women’s, Abood Crain Trucks Under 18 Boys, Sea Master Fishing Charters/Aussie Couch Under 18 Girls, and finishing off the day will be the semi finals of the Streets Ice-cream 9ft Mens Amateur.
Tonights (Thursday) social entertainment program features local Tweed band Max Judo fronted by legendary surfer Lucas Proudfoot from 8pm at the Salt Bar.
Friday launches Nat Young’s new book “The Complete History of Surfing from Water to Snow”, which is open to all at the Sand Bar, Barclay Drive, Casuarina, 5pm.
A Luau Dinner and Von Weirdos surf memorabilia auction will follow Nat’s book launch. To purchase tickets for the occasion contact Casuarina office on 02 66749999 or 0414569208.
The Domain Casuarina Beach Resort Art Exhibition on the Conference Centre, Barclay Drive Casuarina open to the public from 10am Friday.
For all video highlights of the Hyundai Malfunction Surfing Festival 2008 check Craig Halstead’s vision on www.go211.com .
For further information regarding heat draws, results, and photos check out www.malfunction.com.au .