Strapper crew host special guests at annual get-together

STRAPPER Surf has thanked its team for the past year of work as the business prepares to enter its busiest period of the year.

The local board store hosted its annual staff barbecue in Jan Juc on Sunday to bring together the entire Strapper team, as well as its supporters and sponsors to cap off the previous 12 months of work.

Strapper Surf director Michael Di Sciascio said the annual get-together was a great way to thank his employees and team, with Torquay businesses expecting to receive a high influx of visitors over the coming days because of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

“The community really froths up for this time of the year, it really is like our Christmas here on the Surf Coast when the Rip Curl Pro comes around.

“It’s such a great time because it’s so our stream and in our lane here at Strapper, I just go out to the beach in Jan Juc and there’s always 15-18 surfers out on the water at any one time.

“There’s just a great buzz around town and I continue to be super-proud of the work we do here at Strapper each year.”

At the barbecue, the Strapper crew were extremely lucky to meet six-time WSL Championship Tour (CT) athlete and 2017 Rip Curl Pro winner Jordy Smith and Australian rising surf star and CT athlete Sophie McCulloch.

Smith said he got a hit of nostalgia each year when he returned to Bells Beach and saw his name on the perpetual Rip Curl Pro trophy.

“I think it’s my 20th year now coming to Bells, it’s the same feeling every year, I just love it.

“Obviously the time of year around Easter is a great time, I have many friends here, it’s just nothing but positives when the event comes around.

“I actually had that nostalgia one morning earlier this week when I was walking down the stairs at Bells and I looked to the right and saw my name, that’s when it sunk in.

“It’s such an honour to be put there alongside all the other great surfers that have competed over the years.”