THE Bluff Boardriders staged their first club contest on Saturday, 5 December at Ansteys Beach.
Early morning onshore winds calmed to produce excellent, head high waves for the entire day.
With over 50 entrants spanning four divisions, the event was very well supported with a high level of surfing on display for the gathered crowd.
The junior division showed talent that will drive the future of the club with Seth Cruz and Connor Padt sharing the spoils. The women’s heat was hotly contested with Brittany Gadd emerging victorious over Summer Sutherland and Janine van Rooyen.
The under 21s showed some progressive surfing with three of Ansteys’ up-and-coming locals exchanging the lead during the final. Dieter Petraechice pipped Liam Mare and Gharade Johbert to win the division and a new surfboard courtesy of Pam Golding Properties.
A retro heat was then held in the glassy three to five foot hollow waves. It was refreshing to see the contestants give credit to a bygone era of surfing through their individual interpretations of retro surfing. Ross Solomon was unanimously deemed the winner for his soulful mastery of twin fin surfing.
The over 21s final saw some explosive manoeuvres and high scoring rides. Ross Solomon executed a combination of radical turns on his final wave to snatch the win from an in-form Karl Ribbink, with Duncan Pratt taking third position.
Special mention must be made to the sponsors who committed a range of prizes and equipment to the event. Quiksilver, Volcom, Billabong JBay as well as a host of local businesses all contributed to make the day memorable.
The success of this event bodes well for the future of the club and plans are already in place for a contest series in 2016. For more information consult the Facebook page.
