Surf confusion was avoided

A day of confusion was avoided when both the Ocean Beach Malibu Club and Umina Boardriders held competitions on the same day at Ocean Beach recently.

Both clubs enjoyed breaks far enough apart to not inconvenience either party, according to Ocean Beach Malibu Club contest director Mr Craig Coulton.

"The huge swell from the previous two days had settled down, producing consistent four foot sets with just the occasional bomb coming through.

"A beautiful sunny autumn day along with a light offshore breeze made conditions just great for competition and to top it off, stayed the same throughout the contest until just near the end of the final heat when the wind turned onshore.

"Hayden Emery further extended his lead in the club championship, scoring maximum points for the day.

"Round one winners on the day were Hayden Emery from Kayd Donkin and Ron Stockings, Scott Arena from Matt Sing and Darrell Young, Brent Thoroughgood from Craig Palmer and Bill Burke, Garry Halliday from Richie McClelland and Mick Day, Mitch Bolton from Mark Williams and Ben Orman and in the final round one heat, Calyn Wilkinson outpointed Kai Ellice-Flint and Craig Coulton.

"Round two saw some exciting surfing in the excellent conditions but, as had been the case in all but one contest this year, Hayden Emery was too good for the other first placegetters, with Garry Halliday claiming second and Calyn Wilkinson taking third spot.

"In the seconds, Mark Williams surfed brilliantly even with an injured knee to get the points ahead of Richie McClelland and Matt Sing.

"The thirds saw one of the new up and coming juniors, Ben Orman knock off two old timers in Craig Coulton and Darrell Young, while Bill Ballard was successful over Brent Olsson and Mitch Cassidy in the fourths.

"The fifths was won by Mark Rylands from John Payne and Glen Bible while in the sixths, another newcomer, Paul Donkin, beat Chris Irwin and Jason McKay who was surfing in his very first contest with the club."

The next Ocean Beach Malibu Club contest is scheduled for Sunday, June 13, at Umina Beach, commencing at 7am.

Press release, 16 May 2010 Craig Coulton, Ocean Beach Malibu Club