Hyundai Malfunction Honours SUP
Honolua Surf Co. head Honcho Guy Walker: Photo Swilly
As far as anyone can remember the first standup paddle surfers emerged in Waikiki in the early 1950’s. No one remembers who was first but one of the Waikiki beachboys is credited with coming up with the idea. He borrowed a paddle and paddled into the break standing on his old redwood long board. The beachboys had invented a new style of surfing.
Then in 2000, Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, Brian Keaulana, Mel Pu’u and Bruce De Soto explored the idea of paddling their tandem boards and discovered how much fun this aspect of surfing could be.
Today whole new crews of watermen are conquering the waves as standup paddle surfers and this years Hyundai Malfunction will show case this fun discipline with the Honolua Stand Up Paddle beginning on Thursday April 24th. This division will provide thrilling surfing as the competitors use their paddles to get extra speed to race along the face of the waves before using their paddles to help drag them back around as they complete spectacular turns.
Burleigh Heads surfer James Watson who won the inaugural Honolua Stand Up Challenge at Currumbin last November is one competitor who is eagerly looking forward to this year’s event. “I couldn’t compete in last years Malfunction so I am really looking forward to this time round. I am excited about surfing against Australia’s best as well as looking forward to surfing down at Kingscliff.”
Watson’s entry along with runner up, GCCC lifeguard Mick Di Betta ensures the standard of competition will be world class. They are sure to be pushed all the way by Guy Walker and Rod Morgan. Not to be out done will be 60 year old Lyn Tunbridge and the only female competitor to date, Shakira Westdorp along with one of Kingscliff’s favourite sons, Ray Gleave.
Last years inaugural winner of the Stand Up Paddle division at the Malfunction former World Longboard Champion Josh Constable is unable to defend his title after suffering a serious leg injury last year. A bitterly disappointed Constable said “I really wanted to defend my title as I really enjoy surfing the stand up paddle, but I found after a recent competition that the extra strain on my injury turning these boards means I still need more time to recover.”
Honolua Surf Co is also conducting a free Stand Up Paddling Coaching Clinic on Saturday morning with coaching by Billy Watson & Guy Walker with all equipment supplied.
The Hyundai Malfunction Surf Festival will celebrate all the unique facets of surfing life including the beach, music, food, art and cars.
Now in its 25th year, the 2008 Hyundai Malfunction will attract more than 300 competitors from around the world as well as a large contingent of spectators who can join in a host of events to be held out of the water. These events include the Domain Casuarina Beach Resort Art Exhibition, a Laua dinner, the Von Weirdos Surf Memorabilia Auction and the Salt Village Surf Vehicle Rally.
In the water surfers will have the chance to compete for a number of open amateur and aged divisions for traditional surfers, a leg of the ASP World Longboard Qualifying Series the Surftech Pro for Men & Women, the Golden Breed Retro day for boards constructed prior to 1981 and the Honolua Stand Up Paddle Surfing.
For registration and further event details please visit www.malfunction.com.au