Despite the freezing conditions, a good crowd turned out for The Ocean Grove SUP Demo Day. Many first timers gave SUP a go and the feedback received was excellent. All credit to Phill and family for organising such a great day. If anyone needs a blueprint for organising a demo day or event, give Phill a ring - all the I's were dotted and T's crossed. Pity we couldn't control the cold but it didn't stop most people getting out and having a crack.
Here are some of the pics, I'm sure Dave and Co have heaps more to come!
Phill talking Boards to the crowd
The crowd gathers
Naish on display
First time sup
The brave souls!
Phill and crew saddling up
A very cold and wet Ronnie!
Some of the boards on display
Haven't managed to download video or pics yet but thanks guys, it was a great and informative day. Thanks also for the bbq - on a day likke today nuthin like hot food. Thanks to all again and I've finally convinced my partner to give it a go!!!! Yeah, more fun together 
A few pics from today
The Display Board Area
The Demo Board Area
16ft Penetrator
Dj, Lobes and OG SUP on the Board Walk
HMMMMMMM I Wonder which board to demo, way to much choice!
7,2 Starboard, Kiakaha Paddles and the RodHocker Range
The BUS with everything I tried to drive it away twice but got caught!
The Kialoa and New Naish Paddles
The first group of Iceburgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice Boardies
Too Much Fun and Red Cordial willdo this too you lol!
My feet are soaking in warm water and I am typing this with a hot water bottle in my pants PMSL
Thank you again to everyone who attended and to the AWESOME SUPPORT CREW!
Phill
Thanks Phill for putting on a great event..and thanks to all those who supported it.. Especially those who came a long way to be there.
We had between 80-100 people there.. and at one time I counted about 20 out paddling in the freezing conditions.
I took a few pics and will post them soon.. I just need to thaw out first..
DJ
PeteMC,
We cant wait to see your pics and video,thanks so much for braving the cold!
I am so please your partner will now enjoy sup with you!
Yesterday converted many people's ideas and thoughts from the phone calls I got last night!
Some heavy hitting hard core industry professionals are now taking SUP in Vicco very seriously (watch this space)! The whole support team yesterday was approched to run a MAJOR event in November (Ha no iceburg JSA required on that one lol).
I had to laugh when I was told last night the "Grove Gathering" of the Tribes (Long, Short, SUP, Goat boarders, etc) was done with so much Aloha it staggered people.
Ironically this morning I woke to 8 deg glassy, beautiful sunshine and no wind, note to Huey your work sucks your 1 day late lol. In hindsight Huey maybe you were just smarter than we were and we passed the test!
Anyway off to the beach in the balmy 8 degs, more fun to be had!
Phill
It was good to see so many boards on display and so many people in the water despite the freezing conditions...didn't get to say hello to anyone or get in the water but thanks for putting it on Phil!!
Cheers to everyone who helped to put on yesterday's event! It was certainly a well planned out event and everyone who attended certainly added to the stoke of the day.
Safe travels to those who have a long trip home ahead of them...........
Also, a big mahalo to the local longboarders club (SOUL) for helping out on the day. And yes, I was still there when a couple of you finally decided to go for a paddle----and if I recall correctly you both went out again after a short break-with big grins on your faces! Thanks again SOUL!
Ronnie
Session it seems is setting a new direction in boards but wonders how well they will market in QLD????????
Looks at that board and says innovation in SUP is going all time and how much more green can you get than an Ice Board?????? Wonders if Patagonia will pick this line up? I believe it will be a seasonal product aimed at Vic Tas Alaska etc.
The funny thing is lol that ice board would still be solid this morning!
AA people have been thanking me for yesterday, It was achieved by a team of people that took a leap of faith on a freezing June day that made it work!
I am pleased to see that everyone in the industry and the clubs that backed the day walked away believing that it was a success for them as well as the public.
I have spoken to all but one of the owners of the businesses personally and they are all stoked. There was also some sponsorship agreed yesterday and that is great.
I am writing thank you letters to all concerned because collectively we have made a difference in many ways.
Anything is possible with a great group of people and your right SUP attracts great people!
Best regards
Phill
Had an awesome time. Got to try many cool boards and had enough rubber (just) to get through the day.
It was a great event and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves immensely. Many thanks to SOUL and the OG locals for giving us such a warm welcome on the chilliest of days. And of course special thanks to the Phil and his family. The girls did an awesome job of running stuff while Dad mucked around in the water! Well done Kristiana, Nikita and Nesha 
Congrat's Phil (DARTH SLATER) ,
You have converted another 20-30 to the dark side and they are all STOKED !
Thanks to every one from Ocean Grove who made the day run so well.
AA...you must have seen the cap and beanie combo with 4/3 wetty and booties as it peaked at 10 deg top temp.
ohhhh the 12.0 PSH is just insane , looking fwd to some real waves on it.
That ice thing has given me an idea next summer demo hmmm PHILL !!!!
Lummers you are a FREAK in 1 foot closeouts.
Rich
The day would not have been a success without all of these people, a huge thank you to them!
Special thanks to all of the Sea Breezers who came along and supported the event and Laurie for posting the event and his awesome forum.
The people that sent best wished for the day and sms etc they really made a difference, there were times when it got quite stressfull to say the least.
Also to all the people who did 1000 small things before and on the day to help!
Thank you to the 100+ people that came along in freezing conditions and just gave it a good old Aussie go!!!!!!!!!!!! We had people come from Warnambool, Echuca, Wodonga and many other distant locations thanks for the faith!
The 28 people that demoed boards in the wind and water you rock I am still thawing out!!!!
The whole OG crew, you guys know who you are that again did small things over 6 - 8 weeks and made life easier.
DJ The SUP Legend and SHQ www.shq.com.au
Special thank you to DJ who brought down the SHQ van on behalf of SHQ. Then set up the Marquee picked up Sam from Kialoa from the airport then took Sam back again after the event. He then had to get all the boards etc back to Melbourne.
I think DJ also did about 100 other things on the day as well, you are a legend!
DJ I think mike and the boys owe you a bottle of Red or 2!!! Maybe you could share the red with MickV who also helped out with loading unloading etc.
THE SUP BUS ST KILDA Link www.supb.com.au/
The guys from the SUP Bus rock! They booked in and out all the Demo boards, supplied the soft boards for the begineers and generally helped out with anything they saw was in need of assistance. The professionalism of these guys sets a standard that others will find hard to follow. If your new to the sport check these guys out you wont find better! I tried to drive away in their van a couple of times you have to see the fully fitted out Ivecco Van with Paddles Accesories ETC Awesome set up!
(Session) Rich Bartles and Strapper Surf www.strapper.com.au
Rich you are a true friend, your help and support to find ways around and over hurdles allowed us to keep momentum. Thanks for the moral support, advertising in your stores, coming to the photo shoots, helping out with the on water aspects on the day, picking up and dropping of the GSI boards etc etc etc and again at least 100 other things I can remember! We need to go out for a suf real soon!!!!!!!!!!
SOUL Longboarding Club www.soullongboardclub.com.au
Soul supplied, Marquees, PA system, BBQ, and a hand on the day with anything asked of them. The support was fantastic. Special thanks to Brian and his commitee for his insight to what we need to do to get things going and contacts he provided, plus again at least 100 other things!
Rod Hocker Surf Shapes and Col and Annie surfshapes.com.au
These guys came all the way from Coffs and Noosa, Rod flew down and Col and Annie drove down with Rods boards and the Kia Kaha Paddles. People I spoke to were blown away by both the boards and the paddles. Thank you for making the long journey and wishing you guys a safe trip home!
Sam Kialoa Paddles www.kialoa.com
Sam we thought you were going to freeze solid at one stage. When I saw you with about as many jackets as you could wear and still stand up I didnt think you would make it. We really appreciated you binging all the Kialoa Demo paddles and flying down your self as well. Huge thank you!
(Allrounder) Matt Lumley
Matt came with a 16ft Carbon Fibre Penetrator flat water racing board the only one in Victoria as far as I am aware, The PSH 12ft gun which he magically transported from NSW, he stayed out in the surf almost all day in freezing pittyfull conditions and he bust moves we mostly dream about awesome effort!
Surfing Victoria Max Wells and his Team
Max Wells donated his time as Hazard Manager on the day to save us hours of work and Surf Vic paid for and sourced the insurance, yet again we could not have gotten the day off the ground without you and your team!
(Revvin) Kevin
Kevin was always on hand just when you thought you were snowed under handing you something or bringing things back from the beach, he also donated a huge amount of fruit to the BBQ and may other small proactive things that just made things run more smoothly, thanks mate!
Mark and Julia Beshara DSA Victoria
Mark and Julia ran the BBQ and kept most of the frozen crew alive with hot food and we were able to make a few dollars to go to an excellent cause to boot! Thank you to all who bought food and made donations every cent went to the DSA.
Brett Swan
Thanks for bringing the C4 sub vector and your personal starboards for the display!
David Boyd Imperial Surf Boards
Dave thanks for the Display boards and pointing me in the right direction as well on many issues.
The Ocean Grove Voice Alan Barber www.oceangrovevoice.com
Alan arrived on the day dodged the rain sleet and snow to do an on the day report!
The Surf Coast Times www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
Thanks for the excellent article advertising the event!
The Geelong Advertiser and The Echo www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
Thanks for the excellent article advertising the event!
Again I would like to thank the whole OG Crew who came to the party many many times and everyone else that assisted on the day!
Best regards
Phill, Kim, Kristiana, Shaynesha and Nikita Page
Here's a short vid from the day.As you can see I think we've got the record for smallest waves at a SUP event.Good to meet more breezers and a big effort by the Surfshapes crew[Rod ,Annie and Col] to bring the boards down for everyone to see
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The vids got Phill instructing the beginners,Allrounder on the PSH12 gun,pennay 16foooter,PSH 9'2, Bnaccas on the PSH 9'6' wide allrounder, session on the 9'6" wide ripper and a few others.Was a top day,well done Phill,looking forward to the next one.
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Sorry mate,try it now.
Was great to be a part of the day and catch up with some breezers I already new and meet some others for the first time.
I was impressed with how stoked everyone was on SUP whether they surf first point or the vicco coast or paddle on port phillip bay or the murray river.
Camo,
The video was great you definitely captured the best of the small waves on offer!
Thanks also for rounding up the first timers and keeping everyone safe.
Oh and I saw you thinking about trying to strap the 12ft gun to your roof lol
Only joking!
Phill
12ft gunThat's right Phill,DJ's glide might be safe after all
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I agree.. Great job with the vid Camo.. I'll try and get my pictures posted this morning.
DJ
