IWC SEASON OPENER 8th/9th October

The forecast was looking inviting- a quiet day on Saturday, and a blast on Sunday. However, in true IWC form, both days were a blast with 20 – 30 club members rocking up over the weekend- all primed to kick the season off in a grand way!

Saturday morning started with Simon's Car Boot Sail (Simon's spelling not mine) where lots of bargains were to be had. Retro fluoro boards were discussed as possible outdoor seats or tech-screwed to the wall over a bar,. In addition, sails, masts, one designs, fins, harnesses and booms (I could have done with Mick's "summer time lilac" boom Sunday afternoon!) were up for grabs at bargain basement prices. Thanks to RPS who threw some bargains to the mele that were all quick to go.

The AGM was convened with a look at where the club has been and where it is going. The old committee was re-elected with the addition of Cara Fenney to represent our female members who make up 20% of the club. Great to have you onboard Cara.

The Brass Monkeys award was presented to a very humble and shy Dan Poynton. Little did we know that we had created a monster, and by the end of the night, the legend of BMC (Brass Monkeys Champion) was unleashed on the world. More of that later…

Our next award was the Where's Koyote competition (thanks go to KA Sails for the kind donation of a Koyote sail for the club to use) John Rohrsheim was the closest with his guess that it was at the carpark of the Inverloch Inlet Hotel 12pm Saturday. Well done John.

With the formalities over and the BBQ cranking, a feast was had to energise everybody for the squall that was coming. Someone yelled “Wind was up” and it was on. With the wind squalling at 5 kts ! (reminiscent of the Inverloch Speed Invitational) the longboards and SUPers hit the water. Swearing and laughter was heard wafting over the breeze as gybing duels were going down with booms being used as jousts. Words of revenge and karma rang out over the Inlet. The verbal jousting continued late into the night at the Inlet Hotel. A great meal was had by all but as the night wore on a new monkey arrived on the scene - BMC (bigger than King Kong). BMC became a sage, a comedian, a shouter of drinks, a fountain of knowledge on religion and matters of the world and a person to be reckoned with. As the night closed and we all went our different ways, BMC was heard complaining about no one having respect for champions as he rode off through the rain on his BMX – one word BMC – SOFT

Sunday greeted us all with a BBQ breakfast at the Rotunda, consisting of fresh laid farm eggs from Old Salty's chooks. B3 gave up his yearly ritual of watching Bathurst to cook and Drift disappeared mentioning something about a long drive to Warrnambool for work – Soft was the common word floating around. Wind was up around 20 kts but so was the tide. People played the waiting game and hit the water around lunchtime as the tide was heading towards mid, and the metre high waves started to subside. Game on!. I scored very highly in the dismounts as I displayed my talent in boom breaking. I also broke my 2 second pb with 30.35 kts on my GPS (and yes Luke that was on the Xcite Ride 120ltr.) Quick times were being recorded all over the Inlet, and little did we know what was happening down at the Pit, where BMC was smashing his own pb by a massive 6.5 kts to hit 39 kts. Truly awesome speeds Dan, and an epic weekend was had by all.

Well done to the IWC team for a kicking off the season in typical style. All summed up by one member who had missed the weekend because he was flying back from overseas but met me in the carpark with a broad smile and a warm handshake “great start to a great season that is going to be epic”

Bring it on!!