Bronte Boardriders unite for common goal.
Bronte Boardriders unite for common goal
A clean two to three foot offshore spring morning greeted the competitors of an event that was born to unite a community with one common goal, to help one of it’s own, young Bronte ripper Caleb Reid.
The brainchild of two of Bronte’s standout competitive surfers Aaron Graham and Ryan Clark, the event was to raise money and support to help Caleb compete on the junior circuit. They recruited such international labels as The Realm, Oakley, Red Bull & Gunther Rohn to chip in product & cash, local business Lucas Butchery also supplied all the meat for the BBQ.
Over 80 competitors turned out for the event, a mix of grommet enthusiasm, teenage bravado and masters experience all thrown together in a mixing bowl known as tag team surfing. The teams were drawn out randomly comprising youth, skill & knowledge, the 6 man teams had 30 minutes to throw down there best moves with one competitor in each team the “power surfer.”, It was also a race against the clock with bonus points being awarded for the fastest team to finish.
Caleb set the pace early with a mind-blowing ride on his first wave, this was his comp and wasn’t going to disappoint. All competitors were spurred on by the commentary coming from the judging box with Andrew “Pineapple” O’Sullivan belting out calls that would put even the legendry “Shoo” to shame, with his sidekick Anthony “Harry’s” Carroll pulling out some cracking tales of his own!
The BBQ ran hot all day, the beers flowed freely as the event stepped up another gear with a rowdy enthusiasm, the DJ was pumping out the tunes as the teams pushed each other with some outstanding surfing. The final was no exception (with it being a high scoring event) Ryan Clark’s team won the overall comp and consisted of grommets Dunstin & Brendan, Teens Benn Sailer & Rob Gray and older statesman Ryan Clark.
The Best surfer of the event went to Caleb Reid who reluctantly excepted the trophy. While on the podium he was presented with a huge novelty cheque, the Bronte crew had been able to raise $2500 to help him on his way, with Gunther Rohn donating a new custom board to top it off. Caleb is a man of few words, but the smile on his face said it all, he then proceeded to thank everyone involved.
Caleb’s Dad said a few words, he spoke of Bronte as his family and thanked all for welcoming not only Caleb, but his whole family into this tight knit community.