Arrived at the beach at 9.30am on Friday to the sight of a whole bunch of early arrivals ripping clean 3-4' lefts and rights off a peak in front of the car park.
Some guys were milling around in the parking lot waiting for the flags and other accoutrements of a contest , I think. That doesn't happen at the Coopers. Just get changed and go surfing then tell me who you saw ripping.
I pulled out the beer 'incentive' and we hung out in the parking lot watching the show, greeting newcomers and sending them out into the water to join the rest. It was only 11am so there were not too many takers for the icy beer on hand but there was good take-up on the comeraderie that comes from hanging out with a bunch of kneeboarders discussing and watching kneeboarding.
People were almost as stoked that Simon Farrer was unable to surf and so available for a chat about his latest video (NSG'05) as they would have been if they had seen him surf.
I wandered around getting feedback from participants. People all thought that Troy, Cheyne and Steen ripped during their session but were pleasantly surprised to see a new face on the scene. Alex from WA you opened a few eyes, mate. Your sixer of Coopers was well deserved.
I used my perogative and awarded Kevin Fischer a sixer in recognition for the work he did out there. He stood out in my mind as going really well for his whole session.
Troy, Cheyne and Steen didn't get the formal presentation of a sixer, only because I was too slack and laid back about the formal side of the 'event'. However I did drop off a case of the drop at the kneeboard central camp (aka Turtle's house) later in the day so we all got to drink their rightful rewards (we would have anyway!).
Everyone in the water was pushing themselves because they knew people were evaluating their performance. It was great to watch.
A big thanks to everyone who showed up. I know the organisation was non-existant, but that's the way it's supposed to be. Its not meant to be like a surf contest. It is meant to recognise people who go hard for an entire session and not just one or 2 waves. And it's an opportunity to socialise before the revs start cranking up at the draw for the Phillip Island Kneeboard Classic itself.
Thanks to Neil Luke and Jimmy Brown for supporting the event. Thanks to Dave and Jason at the Isle of Wight Hotel in Cowes for giving me a really good deal on the beer (so good, in fact, that there was a fair bit left for the after-party on Sunday night).
I look forward to your feedback about how to improve for next year's Coopers.
Phillip Island Kneelo comp T shirts and zip thru sweats will be available from some one in the USA by Xmas time. Money raised from shirt sales will be used to subsidise accomodation and expsenses for US or Northern Hemi kneelos who wish to compete at Phillip Is in 2006, and of course to catch up with Red at the Coopers Cup.
Steen Thanx for the reference on design for Tees butb I need to pass it on to one of our graphic guys that I work with.
I was just the blind director not the creator/manipulator.
Thanks to Steeno and Simon who allowed the comp to use the photo.
Three years and it starts to become a tradition.
Couldn't have asked for better conditions than we had last year. Lefts and rights going orf, sun, offshore - and a ton of guys ripping it up. I think Steen even left the sanctuary of his van for a quick paddle!
A fair amount of beer was drunk. A little shared with the PI locals, who all of a sudden started to see kneeboarding in a whole new light. Even the local constabulary gave it the nod ("Just keep it mellow, boys").
Lots of good kneeboarding conversations and some new friendships - that's what it's all about (and then on to Lukey's illustrious opening evening at the Isle of Wight).
Little scared of encouraging people to compete because of the insurance and legal implications if a hothead runs over someone, so last year was a low key social event (but the Simpson bros and Albert collectively shone last year and benefited from the "excess' beer). I think this year's will be even more social.
come one, come all
Reds 3rd Coopers Cup
10th November 2006
I'm looking forward to this event as well as the rest of the PIKC festivities. It'll be a gas stepping off the 14 hour flight and getting an introduction to PI w/ the Coopers Cup! Sounds like it's going to be another great showing.
It's on 10th November. Meet bottom carpark at Woolamai anytime in the morning or follow the sign to where we'll be.
Assuming there are waves (actually there are always waves), we'll hit the water on the Friday of the PI contest and then have a couple of beers (Coopers Red) afterward when we can nominate a few standout surfers of the session.
Simple - massed attack on the water, watch what goes on from the water, report results, drink Coopers, go to the PI draw.
No beach permit so there may be other people in the water. Hopefully they will accept invasion gracefully and share a beer with us.
Thanks to KSUSA for hosting this posting. I know most of you can't make it but I'll try to post some pics this year.
be tyhere with the MyGod...... anyone from the Sydney area driving back up after the PI? MyGod might be in need of a lift.... let me know.... cheers Peter