Boardriders back with classic comp

TORQUAY Boardriders Club (TBC) have celebrated their return to the water for their first competitions of the year.

The club had its traditional single fin event on last week’s public holiday in front of a healthy audience at Jan Juc beach.

TBC said its enthusiastic older stalwarts were especially entertained by the classic competition following a turbulent two years for community sport.

Ahead of the event, the club acknowledged sensitivities around January 26 and said the event was “purely and exclusively developed for the benefit of our community sport which has been greatly affected over the past couple of years”.

Club officials described conditions as “marginal”, but said exciting in-water performances and atmosphere made the event a success.

Casey McCrohan and junior competitor Eden Hawken were among the impressive performers in the early heats.

McCrohan, Todd Rosewell, Tully Wylie, Cahill Bell-Warren, Johnny Hawken and Xavier Huxtable made up the event final, which club vice-president Bell-Warren eventually won with a display of solid carves and classic lines.

“The highlight of the day for me was a return to community sport. It was really good to have the club family together again and reconnecting with each other,” he said.

“The surf wasn’t great, but the day was stunning and the vibes were high. I’m always appreciative of the opportunity to surf in these events.”

Quiksilver sponsored the event and provided twin fin demo boards that many surfers took for a spin during the day, culminating in an expression session that won over spectators and competitors.

Brand representative McKenzie Bowden said they were thrilled with the turnout despite the choppy conditions.

“What a stunner of a day. Sun was out, the beach was popping and all the crew were flaring on the single fins. It was good to partake in the high vibrational activity,” he said.

The 14-and-under groms aggregate event was also due to kick off on Saturday, but was called of that morning because of strong easterly winds.

TBC will return to the surf for a senior aggregate event on Saturday.