Manly "shoots" to the top to take 2008 Fiveways

Nature played its fickle game for this tournament firstly giving us no waves at all at the first attempt and then on the second effort rewarded us with an almost perfect storm of outstanding conditions. From the outset the waves were two to three feet and as the tide dropped the form improved and light north easter lightly brushed across the comp site and created some fine walls and soft peaks. By about 9 am Curly was a buzz with one hundred and fifty nippers doing their thing and the seventy or so Five Way competitors trekking across the beach to the dedicated comp area where the judges tent sat like a beacon resembling a scene from Lawrence of Arabia.

The Five Longboard Clubs from Sydney’s Northern Beaches had gathered to “ Shoot Out” and determine the champions of the waves along Sydney’s pre eminent strip of beaches.

The competitors hit the water at eight am and there ensued a day of absolutely excellent exhibitions of the art of long boarding. In total fourteen heats were contested including eight open, junior girls and boys, over 100kg, ten foot Bic, Women, Over 55 men . The finale of the day was a tag relay that included two opens, a women, a junior, an over 60’s male. The sudden death nature of the one wave per competitor had us all on the edge of our seats.

The juicy aspect of this comp is the wide range of ages, surfing equipment and surfing abilities. There was in attendance former Australian Champions, surfers who had been at the game for over fifty years, relative newbies and near full time surfing professionals.

The Manly Club set a cracking pace from the outset as they predominated the earlier heats. Freshwater was the resurgent star and for a time snapped at the leaders heels. Palm Beach displayed a most professional approach whilst Curly and Long Reef kept in the race with some outstanding efforts.

There were some notable performances on the day and high in the scale of these was the efforts of Manly’s Lewis Johnson who surfed well above his years to outpoint Myles Doughman of Palm beach. Likewise Sam Walker read the conditions beautifully to take out the Junior Girls. Freshwater’s Garrett O’Rourke pounded the break to win his heat as did Juliette Harkness also from Freshie. Up to this stage Freshie was really pushing the Manly contingent. Curly’s Sean Dry won the over 100 kg with some classy back of the board maneuvers to eclipse a fast finishing Andy Mac from Manly. The ever reliable Paul O’Grady showed his inimitable patience to pounce on some outside breaks to win his heat as did Dan McComb to nail his heat. Manly were well and truly taking the comp by the scruff of the neck. When Lynden Riley took the Over 55’s with a predominant performance and then the relay went their way the boys and girls from the southernmost club claimed the prize. Congratulations Manly on a great Tournament. It is worth noting that only one point separated Palmy and Frehswater for 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

The members of the Curly Club kept the BBQ rolling over the entire day serving the competitors and the families and public who had come along to view the spectacle – Lex Evans, Sean Dry, Andew Blanch, Simon Cox and Judy Nicol kept the bacon, sausage and egg rolls happening. Mike Griggs was conducting activities at the Judges Tent and Marty Kullify was in charge of communications. Phil along with Karen from Long Reef kept the scoring up to date and the respective team captains kept the judges flowing and the competitors at the ready.

Many thanks to Simon Cox who was responsible for the organic cotton shirts and the impressive “Shoot Out” theme of the day, Mike Griggs who organized the food, drink and the competitors board. Lex did a great jog with the remaining graphics and tickets. Rachael Flemming again proved to be the best raffle ticket seller on the Coast. We were all in agreement that there was a high level of professionalism that pervaded the day’s proceedings.

We are extremely grateful to our sponsors Dripping Wet, Dee Why RSL and Solid Racks – without their support in money and kind events like this just don’t happen.

The Freshwater Club supplied the contest area flags and a fine tent for spectators.
Well done Grub for all your efforts.