BAInc President's Annual Report
25th Oct 05
It's been just over a year since we formed Bodysurfing Australia Inc after 10 years in the wilderness and our beloved sport/pastime/passion has come leaps and bounds ahead in community acceptance, media coverage, participants and competitors involved and a general good vibe amongst all who have taken part in some way.
So far we have run 3 contests - all of which have been quite successful in regards to the numbers of Bodysurfers competing, much needed help from all attending and of course - waves. We have also had several "Buzz' sessions which haven't had the same success in the waves dept. although didn't stop the few who attended in getting a Sunday morning Big Breakky down.
The world's hardest thing to do is run a surfing event with NO waves & we struck waves with all 3 - thanks Hughey!.
Our first contest last season - The Innaugural Hydro/BSC (Bodyboarders Surf Co) Challenge - held at Narrabeen Beach, was a stinking hot day - that got past 38 degrees by midday - and the small 2-3 foot waves were chilly in asub 20 degrees water. All had a good time and we know the results. The media were very kind to us and everyone in the local and national surf community caught a glimpse of the fact that Bodysurfing was back.
The 2nd contest was quite special - The Ray Gill Memorial held at Avalon Beach on Mother's Day (still hearing about that from the Mums...."don't do it again!") was also a great success and although not the best surf anyone's seen at Avalon - it was consistent (until the final) and good enough to get us through such a moving day. Too many people to thank for that one and The Avalon SLSC - who helped immensely - are happy to assist each year to make this particular event an annual one. The results of the 1st Ray Gill were also pretty close. It has been suggested that we incorporate the National Championships with this - of which I hope will become a topic for the first meeting of BAInc after our AGM tonight.
Our winter contest was a cracker and thanks must go to the Newy faction who really 'put in' and made what was easily the best event I've been a part of. It didn't hurt that the waves were a consistent 4 feet and offshore and the from the first heats' 5 second left barrels to the finals' ripping 60m right handers - the Newcastle Bodysurfing Challenge has annual event written all over it. The spirit of the people of Newcastle shone that day & anyone who misses the next one is crazy. Thanks people - you all know who you are and thanks Newcastle! Oh - and of course we think we may have just been pipped by the 1998 Newcastle Knight's NRL Grand Final win for media coverage.
We now move into a new era of our sport of Bodysurfing where the numbers in our members ranks are swelling and more and more are looking to get involved. Thanks to all those who have joined BAInc so far and we still must be the cheapest sport to be a part of plus a free cap & tee shirt aint a bad deal at all for the $60 bucks to get on board. Of course as we are Non Profit - all proceed from any event or membership drive we do - goes straight back into the sport.
We do have a few large hooks out there in the corporate sector - looking for a blanket sponsorship for Bodysurfing but of course so far we have been blessed with support from mostly local based businesses who have been extremely generous in their donations of the smallest prize through to a substantial cash offer. Watch this space.
We have a great portal for reference that is growing daily - our website ( www.bodysurfing.com.au ) And anyone who has been on very recently will know we have so many images and now streaming video. Thanks must go to the Ruciak Bros from Adelaide for taking an amateur site and turning it into a really cool place to hang. All members should jump on and join the 'forum' for any ideas you might have at any time that will reach us all and get all our thoughts out there.
The new season begins on November 27th with the 2nd Annual Hydro/BSC Challenge at Narrabeen, with a 2nd contest tentatively booked for February 06 (as the NSW Titles) and of course the Ray Gill at Avalon in May and NOT on Mum's Day! The Newy Gang will definitely be getting another event happening for the winter season. Check the website for updates on all aspects of what's on.
I'd like to take this opportunity to once again thanks all those who have either competed, judged, helped on and off the beach and supported our sport of Bodysurfing for this past year and I hope the next one is just as much fun and brings more enthusiasts and their families and friends together at our events and buzz days.
Don McCredie
President
Bodysurfing Australia Inc.
BAInc President's Annual Report 24th Oct 2006
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