| NSPC Inaugural Comp // Event 22 February 2011 By: Todd Hamilton Location: Dixon Park Summer was in the air. A warm, humid morning, light offshore winds and two feet of NE swell. The crew from Newcastle Stand Up Paddle Board Club (NSPC) were kicking off their inaugural club competition. The comp's fruition was five months of hard work by a dedicated club committee establishing all that was needed for the club to be successful; sponsors, members and a focus on 'fun'! In January a call was made to members from SPSC (Sydney) and SUP Central (Central Coast) to travel up the F3 to help assist the Newy crew in the running of a SUP competition. Enthusiastic SUPers from both clubs answered the call so NSPC would have the additional numbers to add to their growing club to make their first comp a success. Come comp morning, the conditions were almost perfect although a couple of extra feet of swell would have been nice. The hyped Newy crew welcomed the guys from SPSC and SUP Central. A decision was made to run the 35-man/women contest in 20-minute heats. With the draw quickly established, the first heat was in the water for an 8:00am start. The SUPers made the most of the conditions that were at the mercy of the incoming tide. However, passers by and competition spectators were shown a solid and exciting exhibition by those who were in the water.  The atmosphere on the beach was humming. Club sponsors displayed a comprehensive range of demo boards and accessories that kept enquiries flowing throughout day. Newcastle beachgoers had seen a few dedicated SUPers over the past couple of years, but the day's competition well and truly reinforced that SUP was here to stay, and it was here with a bang!      Competition quickly and smoothly progressed throughout the morning and the surfers scheduled to surf the semi-finals would have the assistance of the falling tide. The women also showed great form throughout the morning and two girls (Hannah Finlay-Jones and Elyse Comerford) progressed through to a mixed semi-final.   The guys and girls from Newcastle were well represented in the quarterfinals along with their friends from Sydney and the Central Coast. The quality of surfing had risen a notch and the judges were now looking for critical turns, variety of moves and full commitment from the competitors. The top two surfers from each quarterfinal progressed and would be now fighting for a win in NSPC's inaugural event final.    The fresh smell of salt in the air and ripples from the NE indicated a change was rapidly approaching. The clean conditions that blessed competitors throughout the morning had now given way to a summer NE sea breeze, but that did not change the way the competitors approached their surfing. A close final was played out and until the dying minutes of the heat, first place could have gone either way.   The four finalists showed great sportsmanship and equally impressive SUPing. However, it was the radical and fluid surfing of Merewether's Glenn Turner (NSPC) who stole the final win from Andrew Cassidy of SPSC. Third place went to a deserving Mick Davis of SUP Central and fourth place was awarded to Merewether's Richard Finlay-Jones (NSPC). A special mention should also be made of 16 year old Hannah Finlay-Jones (NSPC) who was awarded the best performing female. Hannah advanced through a strong field of competitors all the way to the mixed quarterfinals. Well-done Hannah!      On completion of the finals, all competitors mustered around the contest tent to hear NSPC President, Todd Hamilton and Vice President, Matt Worley announce the results at the club's first competition presentation. As Club President I was proud of our achievement as a club and extremely thankful for the support of our friends from SPSC and SUP Central. I would also like to pay special mention to Andrew Cassidy, Club President from SPSC, who when approached back at the NSW State SUP Titles in 2010, gladly provided essential support and information to the NSPC committee that assisted getting the club off the ground. One thing that stood out on the day was how the SUP community, regardless of equipment or origin, pulled together in the name of 'fun' - it is a pleasure to be involved in the sport in its premature days and around the people who make it that much more enjoyable. Thanks to all those people (especially the SPSC and Sup Central crew) who attended the NSPC inaugural event and whose participation made the day a huge success. | |
