Throughout the month of September I will be surfing for 30 days straight to support families in remote surf communities through the Make A Wave challenge.
My surf challenge STARTS TODAY and I am surfing to support SurfAid's work providing healthcare, clean water and food security to families in some of my favourite surf spots like the Mentawai islands.
Access to basic services like clean water should not be a privilege. A donation of just $30 can maintain a clean water facility, serving 100 people for an entire month.
Sponsor my 30 day surf challenge for SurfAid today: makeawave2022.raisely.com/dave-smith.
Tony Leitch after a year off will be making a return to the Winter Classic next weekend, the one to keep an eye on in the 0/75 division.
The 2022 TassieSUP Winter Classic
This years Winter Classic kicked off with the traditional Free Surf Friday with the SUP crew scoring Roaring Beach, Nubeena. The crew had an awesome session with approximately chest high waves on offer and was a great start to the event.
Saturday morning threw up a rather warm but wet, stormy, slightly onshore Eagle Hawk neck with waves on offer around the shoulder to head high, with the occasional larger ones. The shore break was an absolute nightmare as it was "taking no prisoners" and was totally punishing all competitors attempting to get out the back. Catching waves guaranteed that you were pretty much doomed to negotiate the shore break all over again.
The waves were "contestable", consisting of super fast left and rights with most waves being fairly straight (read close-outs). The inside section was incredibly shallow and being on a SUP, surfing those kind of waves was next level gnarly. As the tide dropped the inside become more Hellish and potentially damaging to equipment and competitor.
Friday night and Saturday night's post competition presentation dinner was held at the Lufra Hotel and Apartments, this included accommodation. The Lufra Hotel has been looking after the SUP event for over a decade now and we greatly appreciate their support. All the SUP competitors received great prizes for competing for our numerous sponsors.
Sunday morning saw the SUP "BOP" race challenge compete in a fairly cool South-west wind. Competitors are required to run from the beach "start" and then proceeded to paddled around a buoy about 300 metres out into the water past the breaking waves and then back to the beach again. Being the first person to complete the course 2 times in a row successfully guarantees you as the winner.
Huge thanks to Lisa for doing a spectacular job as being Beach Marshal for the entire day, competitors, spectators, family and friends, Judges and our sponsors.
Sponsor are an huge part of a successful competition, board riding club and the ongoing future of the SUP community. Special thanks to Credas, Jay Sails Wind Kite SUP, Supworld magazine, Shipstern Surf, Naish Australia, Duotone, NSP, Ocean and Earth, Fanatic, Balin, Global Surf Industries, Trident Paddles, and Sea Urchin Design.
Results:
Over 77's
1 Tony Leitch
Over 60's
1 Annie Milbourne
2 Dave Smith
3 Steve Dounton
4 Andrew Bowes
Over 50's
1 Dave Banks
2 Hamish Robinson
3 Barry Vaughan
Over 40's
1 Dylan Chivers
2 James Davies
3 Elaine Chua
10 footer SUP
1 Barry Vaughan
2 James Davies
3 Dave Smith
4 Hamish Robinson
Open's
1 Dylan Chivers
2 Hamish Robinson
3 Barry Vaughan
4 James Davies
Female's
1(equal) Annie Milbourne and Elain Chua
BOP Race
1 Dylan Chivers
2 James Davies
3 Andrew Bowes
4 Dave Smith
5 Elaine Chua
6 Stacey van Dongen
7 Annie Milbourne
Sounds like a cracking comp SBS - and most importantly, a stack of fun with some solid waves. Thanks for sharing that yarn , I enjoyed reading that. Great photos too. (one day I'm gonna get down that way 
)Cheers!
flat water paddle 5 mile beach (near airport) this Sunday
11.00 @ the end of 5 mile beach rd car park, easy out and back paddle hopefully.
Huon Flatwater Paddle Sunday 6/11
Usual spot at the Huonville boat ramp next to the jet boat @ 11.00, easy paddle up and back, booties could be the go as water is still a bit cold.
Water is still a bit cold, but otherwise perfect conditions for today's flat water paddle, might drop into Willie Smith for a cider or 2 on the way back if next months paddle is back there
Hi SB, that looks like a dream to paddle, just had a poke around on Google Maps, man you live in a beautiful place. One day we have to head down that way.
Steve.
Select to expand quotedrivethebus said..
Hi SB, that looks like a dream to paddle, just had a poke around on Google Maps, man you live in a beautiful place. One day we have to head down that way.
Steve.
The bonus of living on an island, no shortage of water to paddle and surf, just a bit cold sometimes, but keeps the crowd numbers down
Another perfect morning on the Huon yesterday, one of our favourites. If you haven't paddled here, you are missing out on one of the best spots in Tassie unless you know of somewhere better ?
Summer Surf Series
Only 9 sleeps until round 1, enter early to go in the draw for some free gear
This season we will be trialing a new handicap system using the "Smith Adjustment Factor" to decided heat winners, this works as follows, your 2 highest scoring waves are added together as usual to work out heat placing, then we apply the "Smith Adjustment Factor" so if you come 1st 1 will be added to your highest wave score, if you come 2nd 2 will be added to your highest wave score, come 3rd and 3 will be added to your highest, come 4th and 4 will be added to your highest wave score, these will be the scores used to decide heat placing.
Apart from that it's the same format as previous years of everyone surfing 2 heats per round with points totalled after the last round to decide the club champion and take home the prestigious trophy. R3 will run at Bicheno with an extended program to fill in the whole weekend, further details to be released.
This isn't the WSL so don't think you aren't good enough to compete, it's all about having a few laughs and some casual competition that will lead to improved surf skills.
enter here
surfingaustralia.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=D07B8F0D7E35AD538000270AF0F476DAE3EE0502
Bicheno SUP weekend 17-19 Feb
Click on the link to enter now, early bird entries receive a limited edition t shirt and the earlier you enter could mean you get one in your size. As usual we will kick off with Free Surf Friday, a chance to check out the waves, who you will be up against and then dinner.
Saturday will see the Surf Comp run under the Summer Series format and using the new handicap scoring system with everyone to surf 2 heats and to top 5 males and females making it through to the final with plenty of time left for an expression session. The expression session is a good time to try other boards and bring along any boards you want to sell on. Dinner for surf comp presentation.
Tech race runs Sunday morning for non race boards with results going to decide the "Bicheno SUP Weekend Warrior".
Current club membership required.
Do not forget to join the messenger group for latest comp updates.
surfingaustralia.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=9D9993149609C4089E8357B62AB8A49C15BF1B46
Bicheno SUP Weekend 2023, done & dusted
Free surf Friday provided some good warm waves for those that got to Redbill for the the pre lunch session, the wind had turned onshore for the post lunch session and provided some challenging but fun conditions for the second shift. Late afternoon saw some of us hit the Farm Shed for some pre-dinner drinks and catch up with a couple of sponsors before moving onto Food & Brew for dinner with the rest of the crew.
Saturday brought overcast skies and some clean peaks pushing head high at Redbill to get the crew frothing and into it straight away to beat the forecast onshore later in the day. James tried for some sympathy points from the judges with a couple of unusual wipeouts without luck and as the tide dropped the problem of getting caught inside was becoming a problem, with some electing to use the escalator in the corner to get out the back. Things wrapped up just as the onshore started to make its way in and once packed up the crew moved to the Davies shack for some lunch. That evening we hit Diamond Island Resort for our presentation dinner, but after a big day on the beach and in the water the crew were lacking enough energy to decimate the sponsored bar tab??.
Sunday we were welcomed with clean peaky waves at Redbill and a few made the most of them for and early session before the tech race. The race ran smoothly after there was a delayed start as some were enjoying their coffees at Governors and lost track of the time. After the race was completed it was time for a free surf and try a few different boards with some now contemplating if they should be surfing something different.
Big thanks to our sponsors.
Eaglehawk Pavilions, SUB41, Jay Sails Wind Kite & SUP, Shipstern Surf Sorell, Bicheno Surf, Bicheno Penguin Tours, Diamond Island Resort, Food & Brew, Long Point Surf, Rainy Day Cafe, Bicheno Farm Shed, Bicheno East Coast Holiday Park, Governors Coffee, Storm Bay Stand Up Paddle & TassieSUP.
and also our beach crew, Lisa, Mandi, Emmerson & Taylor
Results as follows
Women
1.Annie Milbourne
2.Laurene Mandelson
3.Elaine Chua
Men
1.Dave Banks
2.James Davies
3.Andrew Bowes
4.Barry Vaughan
5.Geoff Harling
10'
1.Geoff Harling
2.James Davies
3.Nic van Dongen
4.Andrew Bowes
Tech Race
1.Barry Vaughan & James Davies
2.Dave Banks
3.Dave Smith
4.Annie Milbourne
5.Geoff Harling
6.Shaun Lyall
7.Laurene Mandelson
8.Nic van Dongen
9.Elaine Chua
Overall Bicheno SUP Weekend Champion Annie Milbourne
Winter Challenge 2023 (racing)
We are seeking interested SUPers that would be keen to do a couple of races over Winter. The Derwent Canoe Club and Next Level Kayaking run a series over Winter and are willing to let SUPs join in for a couple of 10k races. If you would like to have a go let us know and pending numbers we take it further and organise along with some sponsorship ?
Winter Challenge Race 1 New Norfolk 24 June
Entries are now open, click on the link below and select Div 1 SUP for the 10km race and Div 3 SUP for the 5km race, use the date 24/6
Thanks to our sponsors Sea-Lyons Aquatic, Petrusma Property, Jay Sails & SUP and Black Project we have some fantastic spot prizes, with the major spot prize a Black Project Hydro Flow X paddle valued at over $1000 and said to be the best paddle money can buy.
www.nextlevelkayaking.com.au/collections/events/products/vaikobi-triple-4-series-river-and-bay-races
TassieSUP Winter Classic + Australian Cold Water SUP Championship 8-10 Sept
Entries now open
Entries close 6/9
Kicking off with Free Surf Friday at a location to be advised on the morning.
Friday night welcome drinks (free) and dinner.
Saturday Surf Comp and presentation dinner.
Sunday Surf Race
Competition entry fee will be $30 for 1 division and any extra divisions will be free, discount will show at checkout, you will also need to be a financial member of Storm Bay Stand Paddle Inc $30 single or $50 family for 12 months, please contact us if you are unsure if your membership is current, or any other questions.
Please note you can only surf in 1 age division and Opens. ie if you are 0/60 you can't surf in the 0/40 or 0/50, you need to give the younger crew a chance at glory.
Entry liveheats.com/events/156797
Membership surfingaustralia.com/sup-club/
Lufra Hotel and Apartments accommodation special
2 Night Stay : 15% Discount.
Premium Hotel Waterview King / Double / Queen /Twin $136 pn.
Standard Hotel Double / Twin $119 pn.
Studio Apartment Twin or King $174.25 pn
Two Bedroom Spa Apartment Dbl / Dbl or Dbl / Twin or 4 Singles $246.50 pn.
1 night Stay : 10 % Discount.
Premium Hotel Waterview King / Double / Queen /Twin $144 pn.
Standard Hotel Double / Twin $126 pn.
Studio Apartment Twin or King$184.50 pn
Two Bedroom Spa Apartment Dbl / Dbl or Dbl / Twin or 4 Singles $261 pn.
Please identify yourselves as SUP'S when booking by phone so the discount can be applied.
03 6250 3262
Lufra will also have breakfast available in their cafe.
We are still finalising our list of sponsors and if you are interested in supporting our event let us know, but due to the current economic times we understand that you may not be able to make a contribution this time round.
Enter early if you want a T-shirt in your size??
Winter Classic 2013
As usual the Classic kicked off on Friday with the free surf and many of the crew got the froth going with Park Beach turning on some great waves before heading onto the Lufra later in the day for a free beer or 2. The forecast wasn't looking good for Saturday, but Gavel Pits was firing providing the best conditions in over 10 years of Winter Classics, with clean waves pushing head high, there was an offshore breeze up to 30+ knots, which helped getting out to the lineup, but also made it hard getting into waves, but when you did you were rewarded with some freight train rights and lefts. With plenty of waves on offer the wave counts were high and provided very close scores with only .3 separating some places. Once the competition was done most keep on enjoying the conditions with a free surf, before heading back to the Lufra for surf presentations
Sunday saw smaller conditions for the surf race, which ran under a different format than usual due the turning buoy been blown across the bay, after the first round it was a tie and with only the 1 trophy to hand out it was decided to have a tie breaker, with James winning over Dylan.
Once again we had brimming "show bags" thanks to great sponsorship and we really have to thank these guys for their fantastic generosity in supporting the event, Eagle Hawk Pavilions, Sea-Lyons Aquatic, Petrusma Property, Jay Sails & SUP, Black Project, Lufra Hotel & Apartments, Naish, Ocean & Earth, ION and Fanatic.
Also a massive thanks to our beach crew, Lisa, Mandi, Emmi & Bree.
This looks like our last Winter Classic, but we will be running the Bicheno Sup Weekend 16-18 February as well as the usual monthly Flatwater casual paddle starting soon, so come along and support them or they won't exist.
Results
10'
=1 Hamish James
=2 Dave B Dave S
0/60
1 Dave S
0/50
1 Hamish
2 Dave B
3 Shawn
0/40
1 Dylan
2 James
3 Elaine
Women
1 Elaine
Open
1 Hamish
2 Dylan
3 James
4 Dave B
=5 Elaine Shaun
Surf Race
1 James
2 Dylan
3 Dave B
4 Dave S
= 5 Elaine Shaun
Bicheno SUP Weekend 2024 16-18 February
As usual we will kick off with Free Surf Friday, a chance to check out the waves, who you will be up against and then dinner.
Saturday will see the Surf Comp run, with everyone to surf 2 heats and to top 5 males and females making it through to the final with plenty of time left for an expression session. The expression session is a good time to try other boards and bring along any boards you want to sell on. Dinner for surf comp presentation.
Tech race runs Sunday morning for non race boards with results going to decide the "Bicheno SUP Weekend Warrior" and followed by a free surf
Current club membership required.
Do not forget to join the messenger group for latest comp updates.
enter here
surfingaustralia.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=4514DFF40BC8CA0063345E17717FDD5FD5C77499
Bicheno SUP Weekend 2024 16-18 February
Big thanks to our sponsors for getting behind this event Rainy Day: Ice Creamery, Puzzle Store & Laundromat, Diamond Island Resort, Peggy's Bicheno, Long Point Surf, Food & Brew Bicheno, Sub41 Pty Ltd & Jay Sails Wind Kite SUP
Bicheno SUP Weekend 2024 done.
Free surf Friday set the seen for the rest of the weekend with Redbill turning on some challenging shoulder high closeouts shutting down on the inside bank that was barely covered by water, this made some possibly not charge as hard as usual and not everyone or their equipment remaining injured free, but nothing too serious.
Saturday brought similar conditions and the crew were pumped to see the swell hanging over from Friday. After completing the opens it was decided that conditions would be challenging for the 10' and they were postponed until Sunday, with this we retired to the Davies shack for a BBQ and Beers. This wasn't the end, after lunch some returned to Redbill for some more punishment in the closeouts.
Sunday saw a similar swell and the usual closeouts, but it was offshore for the 10' and also the tech race to wrap things up. It was great to see a big crew from north of the Cascade line and look forward to them spreading the word for next years.
Let's not forget our sponsors this year for their generous support, Rainy Day: Ice Creamery, Puzzle Store & Laundromat Diamond Island Resort Peggy's Bicheno Long Point Surf Food & Brew Bicheno Sub41 Pty Ltd Jay Sails Wind Kite.
Open Women
1.Annie
2.Laurene
Open Men
1.Dave B
2.James
3.Hamish
=4.Barry/Jon
5.Geoff
10'
1.Barry
2.Hamish
3.James
4.Geoff
Tech Race
1.Hamish
2.Barry
3.Dave B
4.Anthony
5.Jon
6.Matthew
7.Annie
8.Dave S
9.Andrew
10.Laurene
