DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Saturday, December 21st is shaping up to be one of the most fun days of the year! We’re going all out with something for everyone; SuperGroms, Aggregate 3, and Longboards, all packed into one epic day to cap off an amazing year.

After you've surfed your heart out, come straight from the beach to the clubhouse - salty, sandy, and rocking your best Christmas gear at 5pm. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this! At 6pm, a special guest (arriving in a special vehicle, no less) will make their grand entrance. And don't be late - rumour has it, if your Groms miss this you might find yourself in hot water… 🚒!

We will also be holding a big Christmas raffle with a huge bunch of prizes thanks to our generous sponsors including; wetsuits, a seafood tray, Hilltop Apartments - one night stay, plus more… (Please email contact@pibc.com.au if you would like to donate a raffle prize. All money raised keeps PIBC going at its best!)

Check out the Supergroms write-up below for more details... and get ready for an unforgettable day! 🎄🌊🎅

A LOOK BACK FROM THE PRESIDENT…

As we approach the halfway point of the season, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the waves and moments we’ve shared.

The season kicked off with the Bang Bang Tag Comp at Flynn’s, bringing our members closer and showcasing the progression of our younger surfers. Five groms have stepped up to compete in the open division, a testament to their dedication. Their improvement has been inspiring to watch.

We’ve been fortunate with great conditions for the Tag Event at Flynn’s, Agg 1 at Surfies Point, and Agg 2 at Second Carpark, reminding us why we love this sport and live in such a special place. With a focus on youth development, we’re proud of how the younger members are excelling in competition and supporting each other. This camaraderie, both in and out of the water, makes our club unique.

This year has seen record-breaking membership numbers, which has presented challenges for managing competition formats. Thankfully, Huey has delivered split banks to cater to everyone, though it’s put pressure on the committee. We can’t stress enough how important it is for everyone to step up—judge your heats, lend a hand, and contribute wherever you can. This collective effort keeps the club running smoothly.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for Agg 3 and the Longboard Comp on December 21. We’re also thrilled to announce an Urban Surf Day for all members, with bus pickups and drop-offs. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the season, have fun, and enjoy great waves together. Stay tuned for details, with tickets available on our website. The event will likely take place in mid-January.

President’s Highlights So Far:

• Eddie Maier, age 10, progressing through Open heats in solid 6–8 foot surf.

• Angus Kennedy, making the Open Final at just 13 years old in a stacked field of veterans and rippers.

• Sarah Sueren, shining in the Open Women’s final at Surfies, dropping bombs.

• Lachie Eastwood, earning the Best Junior Clubman Award and taking out the Juniors division in just a few weeks.

• The Captains and Co-Captains stepping up at the Bang Bang Comp, setting the tone for an incredible season.

Welcoming New Members:
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to the following Cadet and Junior members who have joined us this season: Denver-Preddice-Firth, Lennox Archibald, Teo Parmington, Arch and Dusty Rayner, Phoenix Stedman, Jacob Solohub, Oli Koole, Reef Riky, River Henderson, Finlay Cameron, Riley Herbert, and Harvey Strachan. Welcome to the PIBC family!

Thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at the next comp and Christmas party in a couple of weeks.
Jake Eisen (President)

Photos Below; Angus Kennedy Open finalist Agg 1. The Pres and Eddie Maier so stoked after progressing in his first ever open heat. Sarah Sueren on fire Agg 1. Classic rail surfing by Tyler Duell.

SUPERGROMS SUCCESS!

Photos by Peter Fogarty @peterfogartyphotography. 23 November, 2024.

The past two events have been a huge success, with our biggest-ever Supergroms participation - 100 groms! This has been exciting for the club, with many new and returning faces having a blast in the waves. The energy, cheering, and support for one another reflect the inclusive, supportive culture we strive to create. Keep cheering each other on! We also appreciate everyone’s patience with the check-in changes. The car park check-in has been a positive improvement.

A huge shout-out to our amazing volunteers! Your participation has made a massive difference - you make everything happen.

If you haven’t already, please log your registration in the Google Form before the next event: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJqq19Q9l2n8kS5mF-r2043vrLMJOYrVNZbdQkToyOCmQWzg/viewform?usp=sf_link'

Christmas Party
Our next event will be extra special, with a surprise guest joining us in the evening! For those who haven’t attended one of our evening events or the Christmas Party, here are the details:

• Parents/carers: Please provide a small wrapped and labelled gift for your child. Drop off gifts at one of the following locations before Saturday, December 21st:

  • Island Surfboards Smiths

  • Rip Curl Newhaven

• Presentations will start at 6:10pm, with our special guest arriving at 6:30 PM.

• Car parking will be more limited, so please be patient.

• Please bring a plate of food to share.

• We ask that you leave the clubhouse neat and tidy, including disposing of any wrapping and waste before leaving. Thanks!

Growing Pains - New Format for February & March 2025 Events
Due to the increase in participation, we’re excited to announce a new format for our February and March events! Registrations are closed for the season, but we’re trialing a new format for Events 4 and 5 in 2025. To improve coaching and water safety, we’ll split the sessions for Yellow and Blue level Groms, starting at 8 AM, while Pink level remains at 9 AM. This change will allow coaches to focus on each skill level’s needs, ensuring a better experience for all.

As always, the club’s purpose is to promote the love of surfing. This structure will help provide skill-level-appropriate coaching and keep the groms more engaged in surfing!

A Few Q&A’s:

• Why so early for Yellow and Blue? Better surf conditions and less crowded beaches in the morning.

• Kids in different sessions? No time limit at the beach, feel free to stay all day.

• Yellow but no early mornings? Stick to 9am if that suits your family better.

• Skill difference to split sessions? Yes, it provides more value and focus, with Blue coached by Adrian Sorati.

• Will coaching numbers increase? Yes, three coaches per session for better support, including Pink.

• What if it’s not working? We'll reassess after March 2025 and communicate any changes.

• Share your thoughts? Contact Melanie, Jas, Ali, or email contact@pibc.com.au.

Melanie Wright (Supergroms Coordinator)

LONGBOARDS AT CRAZY BIRDS

Photos by Andrew Lidsey @bunpix. 16 November, 2024.

On Saturday, November 16, the Phillip Island Boardriders Club (PIBC) hosted the Longboard 2 competition at Crazy Birds surf break. Coordinated by Nala Taylor and the PIBC Longboard subcommittee, the event was a smooth and enjoyable experience for all competitors. Surfers participated in two heats, with their best two waves from each heat contributing to a total of four waves. Winners were announced later at Bang Bang.

PIBC thanks photographers Peter Fogarty, Craig Anderson, Andrew Lidsey (Bunny), and Treasurer Joanna O’Reilly Stubbs, along with prize sponsors Jacquie Chambers Art, Zev Landes, Pacific Longboard Magazine, and major sponsor Rip Curl Phillip Island.

Results:

• Open Men: 1st Eli Curry, 2nd Andy McHenry, 3rd Ben Gerard Taylor

• Open Women: 1st Nala Taylor, 2nd Sonia Seuren, 3rd Ebony Maier

• Mixed Style Masters (45+): 1st Jacquie Chambers, 2nd Andrew Lidsey, 3rd Robert Matthews

• Mixed Juniors (U18): 1st Scarlett Rennie, 2nd Savannah Bennett

Awards:

• Best Noseride: Lucy Camenzuli

• Best Cutback: Ben Gerard Taylor

• Most Improved: Zev Landes

IT’S LOOKING BIG… WE MIGHT BE UNDERGUNNED!

Photos by Tommy Williams @tommywilliams.photography. Surfies Point, Saturday 9 November, 2024

The 2024-2025 season has seen impressive growth in our surfing membership, particularly in the Pink Supergroms, Open Men’s, and Senior Men’s Aggregate divisions. While this is exciting, it also brings challenges, including increased demands on our committee, longer competition days, and the risk of burnout for our volunteers. To avoid membership restrictions or extending competitions over two days, we need everyone’s help to maintain the relaxed, welcoming vibe that makes our club special.

Key points for members to keep in mind:

• Volunteer Support: Our club runs entirely on volunteer effort. Committee members often start their days before 6am and work until the clubhouse is cleaned. We always welcome offers of help!

• Judging: If you surf a heat, you must judge a heat. Don’t skip judging for a free surf, especially in the afternoon when we need help most.

• Event Commitment: Only sign up for events if you're sure you’ll surf. More heats mean longer days, so please notify Club Captain Ash Easton or Longboard Coordinator Nala Taylor if plans change.

• Supergroms Parents: Help reduce plastic waste by bringing reusable bottles and ensuring kids don’t leave rubbish around the foreshore or clubhouse.

• Clean-Up: Before leaving the clubhouse, help by returning glasses to the bar and properly disposing of trash in the correct bins. Please avoid mixing recyclables.

• Get Involved: If you have an RSA or want to help in any specific area, let us know!

Let’s all pitch in to keep the good times rolling!
Emily Scott (PIBC Secretary) on behalf of the PIBC Committee

The Term 4 junior development program finished up on Sunday at Smiths beach. Once again all the participants worked hard and made improvements to their surfing. Big thanks to coach Luke Archibold, juniors and their parents for making it all possible.  Will be back at it in February for Term 1 program, Merry Christmas!
Tim Anagnostou (Junior Development Coordinator)

On December 2nd, the 30 participants in the PIBC Girls Can Shred program completed their final coaching session with Ringa and Girls On Board, following six weeks of yoga with Dominique Salerno. Over the program’s course, the girls showed impressive growth in both confidence and surfing skills, pushing their limits in various conditions and with Smoothstars sessions. It’s been inspiring to see the girls support and encourage each other, creating a positive, tight-knit community.

We’re excited to invite participants to the Girls Can Shred presentation evening on December 19th at the clubhouse (6-8pm), featuring pizza, photography by Claudia Tivendale, video footage, presentations, and a Q&A. For those who want to stick around, we’ll be screening a surf movie until 10pm! We can’t wait to celebrate the progress and achievements of all the girls!
Emily Scott (PIBC Secretary)

Photos by Claudia Tivendale, @claudia.tivendale.photography

24/25 SPONSORS

Acknowledgement of PIBC Life Members

Club legends; Jim Howard (decd.), John Quinn, Malcolm Gregson, Neil Oke, Bruce Oke, John Mason, Chris Rodgers, David Fincher (decd.) Craig Clarke, Mark Fairthorne, Paul Cochrane, Geoffrey Owens, Robert Matthews, Pal Cinninas,
Bill Yusko.

We acknowledge the Bunurong/Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation, Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work and surf, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.