curl curl longboarders inc

The Central Coast Open has been running for 24 years and is organised and by the Central Coast Malibu Club. The sponsors included Sojo, Australian Longboarding, Sea FM, East Coast Surfboards, SDS, Dangerous when Wet and Not Just Cakes at Wamberal. (We’re not sure what else they sell)

This year’s new format - a double elimination repecharge rounds to promote more surfing for all the competitors. If you got knocked in the first round you were able to get a second chance surf.

The calibre of contestants was high with a good mix of local rippers and out of towners. Some notable surfing was from Kai Ellice -Flint in the under 18’s, Erin Dark in the under 18’s, Opens and Women. Local Hayden Emery was charging - right up to his controversial knockout in Open 9 semis. The ‘Gong’ boys Damien and Nick Farago were smashing their way through anything and everyone. Nick only surfed one average heat all weekend, unfortunately it was in the Open 9 final - ending with a 5^th place.
Shane baker milked every wave to the sand and fittingly took the Open 9 honours in Sundays only heat with marginal conditions.
Newcastle’s Marlin Gulholt put on a masterful display in the Old Mal.
In the Open 8’s a young Mitch Fraser took the prize over Nick Farago and the 'elderly gent' Dave Witt smashed it for a well deserved 3^rd. The arm chair experts all agreed the two Open 8ft semis and the final were the heats of the weekend.

Overall the conditions were above expectations, with 1-2ft runners on Saturday and a swell increase on Sunday. Both mornings were surfed in fog so thick we half expected to see the Mary Celeste make an appearance.

The Curly crew was well represented with 3 competitors and 2 officials or o’cripples.

Tom ( Little Budda) Leach ripped it in the Open 8’s where he scored a 2 place in round one to put him in Sunday’s Semi final placing a respectable 5^th. In the Open 9’s Little Budda surfed a solid heat then a repecharge semi to put him the Sunday’s qualifying semi at the rude time of 7am.

Simon (Raul) Cox surfed in the Open 8’s and the Over 40’s. In the 8’s Raul surfed a heat, a qualifying semi and a semi final where he placed 4^th, missing the finals cut by one place. In the Over 40’s Raul surfed a heat, a semi and then the final taking a 5^th place ‘Wood’ overall.

Mike (Tiny Dancer) Griggs was busy all weekend. Tiny surfed the Open 8’s, Over 40’s and Over 50’s. In the 8’s he surfed a heat and a repecharge. Over 40’s a heat and semi final. The Over 50’s was big for Tiny with a heat and semi on Saturday putting him in the final on Sunday. His final started slowly with some closeouts and high one pointers. The gallery was starting to pack away the deck chairs until he took on a smoking right hander all the way to the sand in the dying minutes. This propelled him in to 3^rd place overall and another proud owner of Central Coast ‘Wood’.

Folks, none of this competition prowess from 3 surfers would have been possible without the kind considerate, supportive, helpful words and advice from the Curly support team of Lex (Lexington Steele) Evans and our own Sean ( Kung Fu Panda) Dry.

Our accommodation was well organised by Tiny. A beautiful Eco village on the road into Avoca with individual cabins nestled between the gum tree rain forest, the only thing breaking the silence was the occasional bellbird and the gnawing grind of Little Budda’s  continual snoring. On the upside the cabins were located a handy 50 meters from the pub. We walked a well worn path between the bowling club for food and the pub for liquid refreshments, then as the ‘viewing’ left and went home we’d make our way back to Kung Fu’s cabin for some interesting and educational SBS documentaries.

Some other trip highlights include; Surfing a sweet left and right peak at Copacabana on Friday with some local circus freaks. Watching the 82 year old ‘Magoo’ switchfoot his way to the beach like it was 1965. Getting sunburnt in fog. Little Budda’s Mum’s cheese platter. Beer. And passing the ‘Gong’ brother's blue van on the F3 as their clutch was burning out.

As Frank Thring used to say; “What a weekend”!

Palmy Old Mal was held in 1 to 2 ft waves on the 12th November.
Four Curly members competed and while nobody came home with 'wood' it was a great day with a casual attitude (thanks Palmie) and a very impressive Show & Shine.
Wayne got through to the semis of the over 40's, and the Mystery side of the event was huge with every division thrown in together. One Mystery semi turned into the battle of Curly with Tim, Jayden and Phil all up against each other.
Jayden and Phil got through to the 'second semi' (yup, double semis) only to fall to some very hot open surfers who'd missed the cut in the first rounds.
A great effort and a great day - although the way Pittwater Council charge for parking they should have the rangers doing a free car wash!

Doug from Woz That You has put together an awseome Calendar featuring club members. Check it out at:

http://www.lulu.com/product/calendar/2012-curl-curl-longboarders-surf-calendar/18662033?showPreview

We are going for a discount with a bulk order so if you'd like one please email Phil Nicol.

philnicol007@optusnet.com.au

This is a great way to support Doug and keep him coming back to take photos.