Surf's Up
Surfers, Wake Boarders and Kite Surfers
CPL Andrew Fisher
The RNZAF's surfing crew. (WN-08-0037-62).
Over the weekend of the 18 – 20 April twenty of the RNZAF’s most radical surfers, wakeboarders and kite surfers travelled north and south from their respective bases to Raglan and Mount Maunganui to attend the 3rd unofficial interbase boardriders’ competition in what will hopefully become an annual fixture.
Weather conditions during the week prior saw a change in venue from Raglan to Mount Maunganui for the surfers and led to some last minute organizational nightmares for the boys in Auckland. It all proved worthwhile when we woke up on Friday morning to perfect 4 foot offshore conditions, something “the Mount” is renowned for, well every fifth Sunday in February anyway.
CPL Andrew Fisher from Ohakea performs an 'Indy' grab. (WN-08-0037-50).
Competition got underway early at a spot called Shark Alley. The Long board simultaneous heat/final was in the water at 10am after assurances from locals that the name of the spot was no indication of the residents lurking under the water. FLTLT Andy Lashbrook and SGT Neil Pearson were the sole competitors and showed everyone on the beach how much fun surfing can be when you get back to the roots. FLTLT Andy Lashbrook took the long boarding title out with fierce paddling and some sweet waves. Cpl Dave Orum was out there on his body board mixing it up with the Mal riders, probably catching the most waves out of anyone all day and earning the most enthusiastic award for the competition for not leaving the water all day even though he only had one flipper and cramp.
The ladies took to the water next with FLTLT Arna Barnao, FGOFF Jacinta Stephens and CPL Sarah Anderson doing battle in the uncrowded conditions. FLTLT Barnao consistently rode waves to the beach to win the division, but all 3 ladies deserve a mention for their enthusiasm as they were back out in the waves as soon as they had finished the competition side of things.
FGOFF Tim Pevreal from Auckland in mid tantrum. (WN-08-0037-55).
Next up were the short boarders. Three heats of 3 people leading to a 3-man final. Upon the first heat hitting the water ‘Huey’ the god surfers’ appeal to for good waves must have been at Joe. For the first 20 minutes the ocean was as flat as a pancake and surfers FLTLT Chester Evans, Cpl Andrew Fisher and FGOFF Talon Willox waited and wondered what was going on. Finally with 10 minutes to go some waves came through and the lads got a couple each. The second heat soon followed and with LAC Greg Allen dominating the right end of the beach getting some nice long rides. He was pipped at the post however by a storming FGOFF Tim Pevreal. In the last heat of the day FGOFF Talon Willox reaped the rewards of an experienced eye paddling straight to the opposite end of the beach to everyone else and managing to snare 3 or 4 great little lefthanders while his opponents could only watch on. The final would go ahead after the judges quickly conversed and the finalists were decided as being FGOFF Pevreal, Wilox and CPL Andrew Fisher. The waves improved for the final with the change of tide and everyone managed to catch at least 5 good scoring rides. It was a tight final but CPL Fisher came out on top by using his local knowledge and catching the only ‘tube’ of the day.
Rock hopping judges hard at work. (WN-08-0037-59).
Once the formalities were over everybody enjoyed the Bay of Plenty sun and made the most of the pumping waves.
A BBQ and a beer at the campground on Friday night was a great way to finish the day and talk up moves you were going to pull for the wakeboarding the next day.
Saturday dawned fine and calm but by the time we drove over the Kaimais to Lake Karapiro the wind had got up and the lake was rather choppy. Not to be put off by a bit of wind the wakeboarders led by CPL Ayden Queripel ripped into it. With plenty of spectators watching from the comfort of their deck chairs on the bank the boys got into it. (Unfortunately there were no females competing this year) Ladies, you’re most welcome!
There were a wide variety of trick and styles thrown down during the afternoon, notably switch backside 180s by Ayden Queripel, some nice tantrums (back flips) by Tim Pevreal and an old fashioned put the handle around your neck and wave to the crowd trick from Greg Allen. The wakeboarding kudos eventually went to Tim Pevreal followed by Neil Pearson and Greg Allen.
Prizegiving was held downtown Mount Maunganui at a Surfing themed restaurant where we met our kite surfing comrades who had loved the windswept beaches at Raglan for the last 2 days. Overall the interbase was a huge success with the learners who came along scoring some great waves and the seasoned salty sea dogs also pulling into a few nice east coast waves, all in perfect Bay of Plenty weather.
FGOFF Arna Barnao (foreground) and CPL Sarah Anderson, both from Auckland. (WN-08-0037-53).
Big thanks to Tim Pevreal and Chester Evans for the organization and use of Tim’s boat. And to Tuck for sorting out sponsorship and prizes. I’m sure everyone is looking forward to next year and some more good times.
Results
- Surfing Short board
- CPL Andrew Fisher
- Surfing Long board
- FLTLT Andy Lashbrook
- Wakeboarding
- FGOFF Tim Pevreal
- Kite boarding
- SQNDLR Kavae Tamariki