Cronulla Groms were given a rare opportunity to receive free elite surf coaching usually reserved for the world’s best surfers when the Hurley Surf Club landed on Saturday.
It aims to help local groms of all skill levels progress in the water – whether they’re looking to ride their first wave, or hatching plans for an assault on the world tour.
The mobile surf club is fitted with state of the art equipment and TV’s for video playback -Or get free elite coaching and advice from the world’s best via the Hurley Surf Club online at the Hurley website which offers free personal video coaching and analysis for anyone wanting to boost their skills in the water.
Former world champ Barton Lynch is the resident online coach, so local groms best get in quick to get personalised coaching from one of Australia’s surfing legends.
The Surfing Sutherland Shire boardriders season has finished with three open club champions crowned.Cronulla’s champ for 2016 was Jordan Widenstrom,the top Sandshoes surfer was Jarrod Horner and Michael Griggs is the new king of Cronulla Point.
At Shoes Brett Daintry ,Dion and Jarvis Earle won their age divisions with Mel Hathier and Mel Withers made life members.
Cronulla age champs were David Gall, Jay Brown, Zac Mcmartin and Cash Brown.
Cronulla Point winners were Nichola Turner, Brock Manion , Paul Ricco and Chuck Suzuki.
Cronulla Boardriders and NSW u16 champ Jay Brown narrowly missed a spot in the final at the 2016 Surf Dive N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Philip Island finishing in fifth spot and just missing Team Australia selection for the 2017 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
Jay and Fin Padman surfing for Woolooware High school then almost took the MR U16 school crown when beaten by less than one point (21.05-21.95) by Queensland’s Sienna Catholic College.
The surf was as bad as it gets this week in the “Nulla”-1ft of east dribble with sou-east winds.No good even for Mals and in fact I didnt see a surfer at all on Monday,Tuesday or today.
The GOOD news is the swell has picked up to 2/3ft with this mornings strong East winds-Swellnet says its going to improve with a building Southerly swell on Thursday,all through the weekend until Tuesday.
Although wind affected at south facing beaches early the wind will swing offshore in the mornings with the series of strong south swells so dont waste it.
In Hawaii at the heaviest qualification event of the year, Jordy Smith (ZAF), No. 3 surfer in the world, took the win at the Vans World Cup and stamped out his first victory on Hawaiian waves. Undeniably the most on point athlete at the big wave venue today, Smith overtook a stacked Final that included Frederico Morais (PRT), Torrey Meister (HAW) and Tanner Gudauskas (USA).
“Unbelievable, can't believe it,” said Smith. “I feel like this event has eluded me in the past. I didn't have any expectations, I think that was the difference for this event. I just kind of went out there with an open mind. Thanks to everyone who supported me.”
Connor O’Leary dipped early but still qualified in first spot for the WCT next year(more next week)
Newly crowned 2016 WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) has won the Maui Women's Pro, the tenth and final stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour, after defeating two-time event winner Carissa Moore (HAW) in the Final.
“I was watching the ocean and I really thought that something was on its way,” Wright said. “Once I’m on the wave, I’ve never had a problem but working with Micro (Glenn Hall) has really helped put me in the right spot and allow me to make the most of the opportunities that come my way.”
The win caps off an incredible season that saw Wright claim her maiden WSL Title and five CT victories (Gold Coast, Margaret River, Rio, Trestles and Maui). It is also Wright's best result at Honolua Bay and the first time that she has got the better of opponent Moore in a Final after eight match-ups.
Meanwhile In Riyue Bay, Hainan Island, China (yes China) Day 1 of the 2016 Jeep World Longboard Championship presented by Wanning has kicked off with Women’s Round 1 being completed. Surf competitors were greeted in the morning with clean 2-to-3 foot waves at Riyue Bay that gradually faded throughout the round.
The 2016 Jeep World Longboard Championships hosted by Wanning Province with support from Corona waiting period runs from Dec 4-13 and will be broadcast live at www.worldsurfleague.com. Visit the site or the WSL App in the lead up to the event for more information.
Finally the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational officially kicked off the 2016/17 holding period with a culturally rich ceremony to honor Hawaiian waterman, Waimea Bay lifeguard and Big Wave pioneer Eddie Aikau. The Aikau family and a significant number of the world's greatest big wave surfers gathered to show their respect for Eddie in the event’s 32nd anniversary.
The Hawaiian blessing and prayers silenced the crowd while honoring and connecting all present to past and living Hawaiian culture. It set the tone for the highly revered annual event that commenced its 32nd season as athletes stood side-by-side with their boards in a colorful circle of camaraderie.
ALOHA