Newcastle Bodysurfing Experience
BAInc President's Annual Report
24th Oct 06
It's been just over 2 years since we formed Bodysurfing Australia Inc.
The sport as is now recognized within the surfing and greater community and media coverage, participants and competitors have all grown this past year again.
We've had "Buzz' sessions in 3 states now - WA, Qld and NSW plus Newcastle is really going hard and drumming up more enthusiasm than just about anywhere.
The 3 contests we've held since last years report - have gone to plan except the Narrabeen Contest had to be postponed due to inclement weather on the morning of the 30th Nov 05. It was my call and I'll cop it. Who knows where the lightning will strike - but it sure wasn't going to be us!
After a couple of months we held it in Feb 06 and struck a consistent 2-3 foot shorey - that showed a few visitors about Narrabeen and how hard the bottom is! Eventual winner Sean Kenny proved that local knowledge is handy and the conditions suited him. Peter Sperling played bridesmaid again, and 2 newcomers who made the final - Brett Tyack and Jason Spence - showed that fitness is a key factor in all conditions. We had our 1st junior events that day and most impressive were 2 young ladies from Avalon - Eilish Sheerin and Bronte Stutchbury who ripped up the waves and showed a few how it's done. It was quite a day for Bodysurfing where a page 3 Sydney Morning Herald article and image preceded the day's event and really set the stage for even more wider acceptance.
The 2nd Annual Ray Gill Memorial was held at Avalon again and 'Av' showed yet another side of its' ever changing banks (and mood) Once again this contest was a great success and once again thanks to The Avalon SLSC - who assisted in all departments and to all who attended it was another day for Ray and particularly his family.
The results of the 1st Ray Gill were also pretty close - but I believe the 2nd was even closer!! As I mentioned last year - it has been suggested that we incorporate the National Championships with this event - of which I hope will become a topic for the first meeting of BAInc after our AGM tonight.
The Newcastle Contest on the 13th August - showed us that the crew up north are still so keen and nothing was holding any of them back from creating another stage for a great vibe and Hughie came up with something out of nothing and provided ample waves for the whole day. From the 2 heats of grommets, to the ladies, masters and handboarders - I'm sure all had a fun time just hanging out at such a cool place and what a day for the middle of winter! All who competed and even just attended will surely acknowledge that the sport of Bodysurfing is alive and well in Newcastle.
The end of the 6 contest series was finalized at Newcastle with and it starts afresh at the next contest of which we are finalizing a date and venue tonight.
This year our membership ranks have grown and we still have people joining the forum and coming along to Buzz sessions who aren't members. It would be great if all who are that keen to come along and surf or write about their experiences and stay in contact via the website - remember - it's all created and maintained for free by other keen enthusiasts - so even if you aren't keen to join BAInc - send a donation or buy a bumper sticker - it all helps.
As a Member you will be receiving your 06/07 Membership renewal form very soon in the post. We will also be offering the newly designed BAInc t-shirt for the new season.
We were again inundated with support from local businesses who have been extremely generous in their donations of the smallest prize through cash donations - this really helps keep the insurance policy payed up.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our committee, judges, volunteers, SLSCs and all our sponsors for wholehearted support all year. All those who have either competed, judged, helped on and off the beach and supported our sport of Bodysurfing for this past year.
Here's to a bright and happy 06/07 summer with an even newer maneuver than the "Tyroll" and "Hammerhead" hopefully soon to be unveiled!
Don McCredie
President
Bodysurfing Australia Inc.
BAInc President's Annual Report 25th Oct 2005
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Peter Sperling, Grant Schofield and Anima at Voodo
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