The Cronulla Sharks Boardriders Club crowns its 40th club champion this year.
It was formed in 1978 out of the now extinct Taren Point G&S surfboard factory and has produced a roll call of some of the best surfers from southern Sydney.
One of the best was a red-haired and red hot Troy ‘Nugget’ Dennehy, a colourful, explosive goofy-footer whose father Fred was a Cronulla Sharks halfback and a surfer who should have had a much greater impact on the wider surfing world.
‘Nugget’ was a Cronulla regional title winner and Cronulla club champion on three occasions, the last in 2000.
He was a contest winner on the Australian WQS circuit but his temperament did not lend itself to the big time and he was easily distracted.
Dennehy died a decade ago, weeks after winning the last club contest of the year. This weekend’s ‘Nugget’ Memorial contest is the last one Cronulla Sharks Boardriders will hold in his honour.
“He won’t ever be forgotten but after 10 years the young generations coming through now didn't even see him surf,” Cronulla Boardriders club president Cameron Johnston said.
In a busy competition weekend on the Cronulla beaches, the final ‘Nugget’ contest will have to fit in with the Tradies Surfmasters and the annual Cronulla Short Course Carnival.
Its amazing what difference a week makes for surfers-last week pumping this week dribbling.
Small waves and NO banks on the North end of the beach hasn't helped Cronulla surfers so far this week but it may change with a small but building Nor East swell from Thursday onwards.
Swellnet predicts the winds to swing around to the Nor East today which should be strong enough to generate some small 2/3ft windswell for the coast, and going through into the weekend.
Cronulla doesn't really get the most out of this direction swell so don't get your hopes up-the winds will also be blowing Nor East and the water temp will also drop a few degree’s-something to look forward to.
I took todays pics at Nth Cronulla because there are no surfable waves breaking North of Elouera-straight closeouts on the waters edge. I also took a little trip South of the Shire on the weekend.
A bit further down the South Coast and you will find Australia’s best junior surfers are heading to Culburra Beach for the prestigious 2017 Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles.
Culburra Beach's ability to pull in swell and its variety of waves should make for a memorable week of high level junior competition when the event gets underway from November 26th-to Dec 2nd.
The region has produced some serious talent with the likes of Tyler, Owen and Mikey Wright and the Watson brothers calling Culburra Beach home.
Six states are represented at the titles across Under 14, 16 and 18 age groups in both boys and girl’s divisions at the event that is considered the benchmark of junior surfing in the country. The Australian School Surfing Association Titles will be part of the event again in 2017.
With past winners including World Champions Steph Gilmore, Chelsea Hedges, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll and Damian Hardman, a win in this year’s event is a legitimate stepping stone to world stage glory.
Next week its Island time!
