Burleigh Boardriders

Training on Wed 17/12/08 @ 4pm @ poo pipe.

Vale Rebecca we will miss you much

All Burleigh Boardriders are called to come and celebrate the life of Bec, a great supporter of the club and partner of longtime member Adam Burnett. Bec passed from this world on Saturday morning after a short illness and it came as a great shock to us all. Her smiling face and friendliness will be missed both in and out of the water. 

The Always smiling Bec, smile on sweet angel

THERE WILL BE A MEMORIAL PADDLE OUT FOR BEC THIS FRIDAY (12/12/08) AT 11 AM AT THE POINT .

IF EVERYONE COULD PLEASE WEAR THEIR AUSTRALIAN GEAR

WHETHER THAT IS A FLAG OR AUSTRALIAN FLAG CLOTHING

VALE REBECCA 

Former Burleigh President James “Billy” Watson makes the front page of the Gold Coast Bulletin!

Here is a story courtesy of Friday’s Gold Coast Bulletin.

 Front page!!!

Go Billy!!! 

December 5th, 2008

A GOLD Coast lifeguard is bracing himself for the moment he comes face to face with the world’s most ferocious waves, the 24m walls of water — the equivalent of an eight-storey tower — at the surf spot with the chilling name of Jaws.

James Watson, who is pictured on today’s front page surfing in South Australia, has travelled the world chasing the biggest swells with friend Jamie Mitchell, but has never conquered Mother Nature’s monsters in Maui, Hawaii.

Watson said yesterday that from December 29, he would be awaiting the call to rush to Hawaii to compete in the big-wave, tow-in event.

“It’s a feeling like no other when you’re at the top of a wave, looking down at a 20-metre drop, nothing matters, it’s all about surviving,” he said.

“The adrenalin pumps through your body but there is a really clear feeling when you’re at the top of a big wave about to ride it. It only takes about 10 seconds to ride and for that small amount of time, funnily enough time slows down.”

The wave that turns boys into men at Jaws travels at speeds up to 70 km/h over a coral reef.

Sitting on the sideline watching anxiously is his mother Caroline, who has collected all the newspaper and magazine clippings featuring her son’s wild rides.

She said she supported her son’s adventures, but often ‘freaked out’ when seeing him atop a monster wave.

“I look at that mountain of water and think he could be dead in seconds, but he loves to do it,” she said.

“I’m excited for him.

“It’s extremely scary, but exciting as well.”

Mrs Watson said it was no surprise to see him heading to Jaws again, as surfing had been his passion since he was a child.

“It’s all he’s ever dreamed about. I remember him watching surfing videos from when he was really small,” she said.

The tow-in event involves half-hour heats, in which each team of two is graded on its best two waves.

Watson said the waves moved too fast so it was essential to work in teams.

“Your feelings are amplified on bigger waves, you know you are at the mercy of the ocean,” he said.

“The blood starts pumping the moment you let get go of the rope. Nothing matters when you ride big waves, you just see this big green wall of water and ride it.”

Mitchell meanwhile is well-known in Hawaii after winning his seventh consecutive world paddleboard title in the Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Championship in July.

The 31-year-old has dominated the sport for seven years, competing against some of the world’s toughest athletes.

Watson had to step out of the World Cup Tow-In Surfing Championship in Chile in September due to commitments at home, but Mitchell and renowned Australian surfer Mark Visser competed, qualifying Watson and Mitchell for Jaws.

Watson said he was putting himself through rigorous training with three sessions of swimming and running a week.

He has also been doing breath-holding training to help expand his lungs, if Jaws does break on him

“There are always risks when riding waves as big as Jaws,” said Watson.

“Though with my lifeguard skills, I’ve got good rescue techniques.

“Jaws is the heaviest, most ferocious wave in the world … the best thing to do is stay calm and do your best.”

Still 1 Place available in Titles 7.30 tomorrow

Ring Ed or any committee member

wanted 2nd hand S.U.P

I am looking for a 2nd hand s.u.p as i need one for my work if anyone hears of one please let me know ring me on 55761058 thanks see ya dwayne.

Training back on next Wed 10/12/08

Sorry about training wed 3/12/08 i got called into my night job and didn’t have time to do it but its back on next wed 10/12/08 see ya then dwayne.

Qld titles this coming weekend - who wants to enter?

We have been given a wildcard by SQ contact pres if you want to be in it.

You will still be able to make the preso.

Great news on the Kirra Teams comp………

Our training is starting to pay off

6th placing - Rip Curl Kirra Teams Challenge 2008

Your 2009 entry fee of $500 has been waived.”

 Lets better it this year

Burleigh Surfers James “Billy” Watson takes out SUP contest

James Watson Nets Back-to-back Honolua Ultimate Stand Up Paddle Challenge Crowns!

(Sunday 23^nd November, 2008): STAND up paddleboarding (SUP) continued its resurgence at Currumbin Alley today with the second annual Honolua Ultimate Stand Up Paddle Challenge wrapping up on the Gold Coast.

The first wave of stand up paddle surfing was attributed to the Hawaiian Beach Boys in the 1930’s who used to surf in Waikiki, Hawaii using canoe paddles to power themselves into waves.

Interest in the sport later faded out with the arrival of shorter and lighter boards, but the popularity has exploded on the Gold Coast with this year’s event attracting plenty of attention, with $1500 prize money up for grabs across a 40-strong field.

But it was no easy paddle for surfing’s ironmen, battling a devilish north westerly wind and testing 0.5-metre waves in the race for stand up paddle glory. 

Burleigh Heads SUP ace and defending champion James ‘Billy’ Watson validated his standing as the country’s ultimate stand up paddle surfer, trumping a talented crew of surfers to seal back-to-back crowns.

Watson, 28, was in a league of his own in the multi-disciplinary paddle challenge; unleashing a skilful showing of the revived Hawaiian surfing style to finish in the numero-uno position on 2450 points after placing second in the surfing division and third in the race component.

“I’m so stoked,” said Watson.

“Conditions were bumpy today which made doing maneouves quite difficult, so I’m pleased to come away with the win.”

Currumbin Lifeguard Kelly Margetts finished behind Watson in second on 2110-points with Woody Jack (Currumbin – 2000pts) rounding out the top three.

In a tightly-contested surfing final, Currumbin gun Jack out-duelled defending champion Watson to snare bragging rights over his Burleigh Heads rival.

In a high-scoring final, Jack made the most of an early wave score (7.17) to dominate proceedings.

Despite a last minute charge by Watson, Jack held his nerve to take line honours.

The talented paddler finishing on a two-wave combined total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20) to Watson’s 12.33. The Gold Coast pairing of Guy Walker and Matthew Lumley finishing in third and fourth respectively.

Post final, Jack said he was stoked to be apart of today’s surfing final.

“I’m over the moon,” he said. “I was kind of nervous at the start of the final, but I settled into rhythm quickly. I jagged a set wave right off the bat which really setup the win for me.”Utilising the standard judging criteria as per the Surfing Australia Rule Book, competitors were also judged on how they utilised their paddle to push into waves and execute maneouvres.Currumbin local Margetts crossed the line in first in the paddle race in a super-fast time of 27 minutes and 32 seconds, just ahead of Danny Sheard in 28 minutes and 46 seconds. Watson finished in third in a time of 29 minutes and 02 seconds. Competitors were required to paddle the two-kilometre race involving both flat and surf water conditions for the second component of the one-day tournament.  Paddlers raced from Currumbin Creek out through the surf and around a buoy back into Currumbin Creek around the M1 Highway Bridge and back to a finish line under the Gold Coast Highway Bridge.

However, the paddle challenge was not all about fierce competition. The Honoula Ultimate SUP Challenge was designed to be a really social affair and was a perfect event for the public to have their first crack at surfing’s hottest craze. Acting as a fantastic introductory to SUP, the prestigious event incorporated a free “Learn to SUP” clinic.

The Honolua Ultimate Stand Up Paddle Challenge is proudly supported by XCEL Wetsuits and Surfing Queensland.

Reminder…….

1.PRESENTATION A WEEK SATURDAY DEC 6TH 1500HRS AT 2ND AVE.

Compulsory for all members.

Club colours to be worn.

2.  Meeting Re. Single Fin Lunch & Comp Wed 10.12.08 VENUE TBA POINT?  TIME 1730?