'Pa' and 'Ma' Bendall Memorial Contest 2007 - Sunshine Coast

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Caloundra's WindanSea Boardriders Club ran the 33rd annual ‘Pa’ and ‘Ma’ Bendall Memorial Contest on 17-18 February. The contest honours the contribution to organised surfing on the Sunshine Coast made by Charles Ben ‘Pa' and Marjorie 'Ma' Bendall in the 60s and 70s. Charles Bendall was a Canadian who served with the Canadian Air Force in WW II and emigrated to Australia in 1949 and, along with his wife Marjorie, took up surfing in their middle years. The Bendalls, now deceased, were mentors to young surfers in the Caloundra district.

The kneeboard heats and semis were keenly contested in challenging 3 to 4ft waves at Ann Street reef on Saturday which was at times a bit messy due to fresh side shore winds. The kneeboard final was held at Moffats on Sunday afternoon amongst the shortboard finals and was watched by several hundred spectators. The finalists put on a good show and the outcome was:

1st Baden Smith (NSW Central Coast)
2nd Drew Abdy (Warana – Sunshine Coast)
3rd Darren Gibbs (NSW Central Coast)
4th Marcus Hague (Caloundra – Sunshine Coast)

There are no age groups in the kneeboard division so we ran a consolation final this year to give guys knocked out early a second surf. Nick Culbert (Warana) took it out and received a really nice kneeboard inspired piece of art crafted by local surfer Sue Merrotsy. Thanks Sue!

The waves improved for Men’s Open shortboard which showcased some quality surfing with Dave Reardon-Smith taking it out for the fourth year in a row. Tara Christie from Sunrise Beach took out the Open Womens.

Thanks to all competitors and in particular the guys that travelled up from the Goldy and NSW to participate. The WindanSea Club formally thanked all the sponsors who generously support this long standing event at the presentation at the Caloundra CBX on Sunday evening.