Hey guys, here is a little entertainment from the recent MAMBO WAVE CLASSIC held last weekend over 4 days down at Merimbula, Australia.
This INFAMOUS event is in it's 28th year and they invited us 'pole surfers' down to join in for the first time. What a HOOT! Waves got better every day. Naish, PSH, OXBOW and Starboard all turned up with DEMO boards. BBQ cranked from morning till night - breakfast, lunch and one very cool MAMBO T-shirt was included.
The event is 'TOTALLY FREESTYLE 'in other words if you want to win anything of valuer (absolutely everyone gets a prize) you better get out on the water every day and party hard every night. Your performance is measured by both your style and attitude, on and off the water - 24 hours a day!!
NAISH had a 9'6 to give away and that went to the DOGMAN who creased his own 9'6 on the first day, but kept going harder every day (on demo boards) and night thereafter - a deserved win in true MAMBO style!
IT was an event that we won't forget with many of us who shoot the forums down here (seabreeze.com.au) getting together for the first time.
The atmosphere was unbeatable as the 'MAMBO VIBE' is what it is all about - everyone, including the locals going hard!!
Matt Lumley of Torquay took out the inaugural Naish SUP section on his 9'2 PSH All-rounder.
Fred and Aurelie (www.nalu-surf.com) - the TANDEM king and queen from France, had only just landed (they shot and edited the video) the week before and ran into us a few days before on the water, so we bundled them on the van and took them down.
Hey guys - some nice Paddle Surfing action from 'down under' for you to enjoy.
This was the 21st running of this prestigious event and it was the first time it included PADDLE SURFING. It is also the first time such an event has been held in Sydney and about the fourth that we know of in Australia.
Whilst you are watching make your call on how you think the finalists placed.
In order of appearance- Rob Gittoes // Central Coast // 10' Paddle Surf Hawaii Sam Parker // Fairlight // 9' Starboard Dane Wilson // Cronulla // 9' G&S Woogee Marsh // Noosa // Laguna Bay 9' Jamie Wiliams // Gold Coast // 10' Bonga Perkins Andrew Cassidy // Monavale // 11' Oxbow
Tip - it is a long board event but the ripper wins!
Hope you don't mind me posting it in GENERAL DISCUSSIONS as I guess it is pure entertainment for most of you.
I was lucky enough to witness the final of the SUP contest at Noosa last weekend and it was nothing short of awe-inspiring. With Luke Egan taking on the likes of Bonga, Brian.K and Josh Constable (Oz longboard champion) it was always going to be a great contest.
After watching nose riding and big slow turns all morning it was amazing to watch the boys ripping it up on their SUP's. Bonga was on his 10'er and everyone else was on 9'6 in except Brian.K who was on an 8'6 - he must way all of 180lb+!!
The young guy on the orange Strapper board, Matt Lumley, is an unknown from Torquay - imagine going up against those guys in your first final!!
Dave Parmenter got knocked out early as was Kekoa Uemura from Paddle Surf Hawaii. It was pretty crappy in the hearts so it was luck of the draw for some.
Noosa really turned it on in the last few days and it is getting a reputation as one of the premiere Surfing Festivals. It certainly put SUP on the map down here and the interest it has generated is amazing.
If you are looking for an excuse to come down here to Oz - early March 2009 could be just the excuse you need!
Jethro already posted a link but in case you missed it-
Is anyone out there riding and getting performance out of a PU foam board? It would seem to me that the only way forward is EPS epoxy boards, but down here in OZ there is a BIG push by a local shaper of 40 years - Shane Steadman to get crew on PU boards, and he is succeeding. The logic is that the PU board have more of a surf feel, sitting lower in the water and having the momentum to carry your stroke and build up speed. He is having succes with the likes of Tom Carroll and Ritchie Lovett riding his boards. Shane is also sighting the Pro circuit where very few pro's ride epoxy boards. At around 6' it does not make a lot of difference, but I know from my Mal that at 9' epoxy is a huge advantage, especially with swing weight. It is early days down here and we are all feeling our way into this sport so I would be iterested in any feedback.
Just wanna say g'day from downunder to the Stand Up Zone crew. I have yet to post anything to any forum but having read some of the threads I couldnt help but respond and let you know that the stoke extends all the way down here to Australia.
Having seen the boom and bust of windsurfing it is clear that we are seeing the dawn of a whole new way of playing in the sea! SUP surfing has depth and possibilities that will see it grow into something of true substance that will appeal well beyond the 'surf market'.
Its simplicity and its ability to take us back to basics, is at its core.
It is early days down here but the STOKE is well and truly alive! Everyday I am talking to more and more SUP'ers who are stoked about the possibilities.
Like all sports that go 'boom', the sharks are out there but it is clear that this sport has some very solid foundations built on integrity and passion for the sport.
So, I want to say thanks to one guy who regulalry contributes to this forum, who I am sure will go down in the history of this sport as one of the progressive founders. The goodwill and friendship that he extended to me (having never met me before) proves just how much 'Aloha' and integrity this sport has at its foundations.
I'm stoked and I'm out there again tomorrow!
Stay in touch and keep the POSITIVE vibe alive, cos its spreading globally!
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