Ocean Beach wins longboard event
Ocean Beach Malibu Club has won the inaugural Three-Way Charity Longboard Challenge at Catherine Hill Bay on January 18.
Contest director Mr Craig Coulton said the challenge was played out between the Ocean Beach Malibu Club, Shelly Beach Malibu Club and Wallarah Longboard Club.
"The event was a great success as it raised a further $650 towards prostate cancer research," Mr Coulton said.
According to Mr Coulton, the proceeds raised at the challenge will go towards the $1000 already raised by the Ocean Beach and Shelly Beach clubs in September last year.
"This event will now replace the September charity day which has been conducted between Ocean Beach and Shelly Beach since 1998 and will be held on the third Sunday in January each year," Mr Coulton said.
"Next year's event will be held at Umina Beach on January 17.
"Catherine Hill Bay was at its glorious best, turning on a glassy three to four foot swell, a light off-shore breeze, capped off with brilliant sunshine.
"With Hayden Emery winning the first heat, Michael Baker and Craig Coulton getting the double in the second, and Mark Williams winning the third, Ocean Beach had a comfortable lead after the first three heats.
"Both Wallarah and Shelly then began their fightback.
"Of the eight remaining general heats, Shelly won four, Wallarah three and Ocean Beach, through Garry Halliday, just the one, though second placings to Mitch Bolton, Brian Cook, Brett Wakelin and Mark Johnstone still gave Ocean Beach a five-point advantage leading into the champion's heats.
"In these heats, each club nominates their best four surfers to compete against each other.
"Hayden Emery's second placing in the first of the champion's heats, along with Garry Halliday's third in the second heat, was just enough to win Ocean Beach the inaugural three-way charity challenge trophy by just one point.
"Final team points for the day were: Ocean Beach Malibu Club on 93 points, Shelly Beach Malibu Club on 92 points and Wallarah Longboard Club finishing up on 88 points."
Mr Coulton said the club would love to hear from any business interested in sponsoring next year's charity day on January 10.
For more information email obmalclub@optusnet.com.au or phone Craig Coulton on 0412 616 368.
The Ocean Beach Malibu Club's first contest for 2009 will be held at Umina Beach on Sunday, February 8.
Mr Coulton said new members, including women, were more than welcome to participate.
He encouraged new members to meet in the Umina Beach car park at 7am on the contest day.
See www.oceanbeachmalibuclub.com for more details.
Press release, 19 Jan 2009
Craig Coulton, Ocean Beach Malibu Club