Surfing was a winner when state government grants were handed out to 26 Sutherland Shire sports clubs this month.
Cronulla Sharks Boardriders Club and North Cronulla Junior Boardriders Club received $5000 grants from Cronulla MP Mark Speakman in a first for local surfboard riding clubs.
“Surfing is an organised sport just like any other and will debut as an Olympic sport in Tokyo in 2020,” Speakman said.
“Cronulla has 11 surfing-related clubs and the NSW government recognises the importance of these local organisations.”
The grant project is for clubs like Cronulla Sharks Boardriders to provide new sporting equipment and club uniforms to members and representatives going to NSW and Australian junior surfing titles.
The grants are provided under the 2017-18 Local Sport Grant Program.
Each state electorate receives about $50,000 with MPs recommending how the funding should be allocated after applications are made by sporting bodies.
Cronulla Boardriders Club’s Jay Brown was the highest-ranked local surfer at the Hydralyte Sports Shoalhaven Pro Junior, going down in the third round behind eventual winner Mikey McDonagh.
The series final is on at Cronulla on August 4 and 5.
Cronulla has had plenty of surf over the last week with beaches,Point and reefs all powering away with clean offshore winds.
Unfortunately Swellnet predicted yesterday to be the best clean day for surf-which doesn't help anyone-and this mornings 1-2ft wind affected conditions are not ideal for anyone.
I took todays pics yesterday at Wanda and the Alley and a couple this morning at Nth Cronulla just as the wind came up.
With nothing major expected for the next few days a fresh SW wind change across Southern NSW will bring some new real south swell for the weekend but it will be wind affected.
Thursday the swell will increase but Friday is on target to see a large increase in southerly swell, with much more strength and also stronger accompanying winds . They’ll remain from the SW tending S/SW at times but could reach 30kts+.It could reach 6-8ft but with strong S/SW winds it will be hard to surf.
Saturday the swell will swing more S/East but will still be solid so look for some protected corners.
It was more bad news for Cronulla’s Connor O’Leary who went out in the second round of the The Corona Bali Protected contest at Keramas yesterday after they completed men’s Round 2 in onshore but high-performance conditions.
It is the fifth contest on the WCT and the third 25th position for O’Leary whose only hope going into the half way mark on the tour is at least a semi final result at Uluwatu where the Margaret River contest is being finished.
In good news for Australia though,Matt Wilkinson who had found himself uncharacteristically low on the rankings fired up to make amends at the Corona Bali Pro. Wilkinson executed his trademark hooks and tail-whips to amass two 7-point-rides to easily advance to Round 3 over Joan Duru (FRA).
The Corona Bali Protected has been called ON for Day 4. After uncharacteristically windy conditions yesterday morning, competitors have been greeted this morning with super clean three-to-five foot sets coming through at Keramas. It will be the women’s turn this morning with Round 1 kicking off at 6:30 a.m. local time. Women's Round 2 and men’s Round 3 is on standby.
