LAYBACKS LONGBOARDING WINTER CLASSIC

• Again, starting the day on a diet of Krispy Creme Doughnuts and Hot Chocolate is probably not the way to go, nutritionally speaking.
• Tent City under construction by 6am at Bellambi Point.
• First Heat hit the water at 6.45am, with the daylight struggling to overcome the darkness of the early morning.
• Five divisions with around 90 competitors.
• The surf, which on the Friday afternoon was double-overhead, was down around 2-4 foot initially, and was a bit on the bumpy side, with a nor-west wind blowing the tops off the waves.
• By 9am, the wind had stopped completely, and the waves cleaned up.
• The wind then took a turn again, and started blowing a sou-easter.
• This messed the wave face up a bit.
• By the time the Juniors hit the waves, the wind had changed yet again, and some of the competitors were experiencing problems getting onto the waves.
  • Of course this merely meant that the Juniors were only getting 6-7 waves, instead of 10+ in their 20-minute heats.
• By 12.30, the faces had started to clean-up nicely, and a few head-high peaks were pushing through.
• By Finals time, the waves had cleaned-up even more, and everyone had some great waves to work with.
• Other than the usual great "vibe" this contest projects, one thing that struck me was the diversity of sponsors involved.
• The one that stuck out in my mind was one of the local mining companies.
  • They have no direct involvement in the club, or in surfing in general, but just wanted to get involved in this locally organised event.
• Great day all-told.

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