SIC 2011 Phantom Preview

Here is a short clip, filmed by Chris Bryan, edited by Todd Barnes, using the amazing Phantom Camera, which shoots an amazingly high number of frames per second which makes for some incredibly smooth and clear slo-mo's. Check out this clip of things to come!

SIC 2011 - Phantom Preview from IBA on Vimeo.

Flat Spell Reminiscing

The last few months on the East Coast have been nothing short of amazing. From late April until mid June, the swell has been constant, and winds have been favorable. That is until the last week and a half. Those people who were initially saying that it was good to have a break from all the early morning starts are now wishing they never had those thoughts, with very small to no swell on the offshore days, and plenty of onshore winds, it has been a miserable week and a half if you're a bodyboarder! There looks to be a few small waves on the way, just in time to keep the school holiday kids amused, but until then, Jeremy Wirth has provided us with a few reminders of just how pumping the Island was on the day of the Brett Young Memorial Trials. Cheers Noodles!

Early Morning Empty

Benny Sawyer pics off an early one

Jase Finlay on a round one

Jimmy Williams patented late scoop on Surge

Jase Finlay on one of the larger sets of the day

Nick Ormerod on a cracker

Charles Ward sampling some Island flavour

Azza G out of the barrel, straight into a big carve

Shark Island Challenge Highlights Clip

For those who haven't seen it yet, here is a sick clip that Todd Barnes of the IBA has put together, full of all the highlights from this year's Bodyboardbet Shark Island Challenge!

Shark Island Challenge 2011 - Highlights from IBA on Vimeo.

Island Comp Water Shots

Sorry for the delay in getting these shots to you, but here are some shots from the water of this year's Shark Island Challenge, taken by our young friend Sam Venn! Enjoy.

Sam Strachan

The crowd of groms in the channel enjoying the action

Ben Player

Wingnut

Ben Player

Island Challenge Photos

Here are a few photos of the action that went down in the water on Friday, at the 2011 Bodyboardbet Shark Island Challenge.

All photos courtesy of Matt Viesis and Jeremy Wirth. Thanks boys!

Nick Ormerod

 Ben Hall

Shaun Pyne

Joe Clarke

2011 Shark Island Challenge Wrap Up

Here is a quick wrap-up of the day's proceedings at this year's Shark Island Challenge, courtesy of Doc at Fluidzone. Be sure to check their site for all things bodyboarding!!

Australia's Dave Winchester (Mullumbimby/North Coast NSW) today won the Shark Island Challenge in near perfect powerful 2m surf at the notorious Shark Island reef off the point of Cronulla.
This prestigious specialty event sanctioned by the International Bodyboard Association (IBA) only runs when Shark Island produces great waves and today's international field enjoyed idyllic conditions as the 2m swell barrelled across the shallow outer reef.
Winchester started the final slowly and was virtually scoreless ten minutes into the 40 minute final allowing local Cronulla rider Andrew Lester to build up a solid lead but his patience paid off when he found the biggest and best wave of the final, negotiated a long barrelling section by foamballing his way through the tube scoring a strong 7.8.
Shortly after Winchester found another excellent barrel ride and opened up a huge lead when he scored an excellent 8.03 and his fellow competitors were unable challenge him with Winchester winning the final on a scoreline across his top two rides of 15.83 to Lester on 13.5 with Hawaii's Mike Stewart in 3rd place and Nth Sydney rider Ben Player in 4th.
"It's the biggest win of my career for sure" said an elated Winchester after the final.
"This event has a lot of history and to be added to the winners list is special."
"The waves were exceptional, perfect barrels and the final had a lot to do with picking off the best waves and scoring the deepest barrel rides - I waited for those waves and it was a winning strategy for sure."
For popular local rider Andrew Lester it was his second 2nd placed finish in this event as a win continues to elude him.
Hawaiian Mike Stewart never found the right waves in the final but the nine time Bodyboard World Champion enjoyed his day none-the-less.
"It's a great Bodyboard wave out here - seriously intense and ideal for the best riders to compete in" said Stewart.
"I didn't have a great final but I scored plenty of great waves through the quarters and semi's and it's been a really good day."
Stewart was awarded the best barrel ride of the day for a 9 point ride he scored on his final ride in the semi finals which saw him jump from 4th place to 2nd and got him into the final.
Nth Sydney rider Ben Player (Avalon) also had a disappointing final placing 4th after dominating his quarter and semi finals and was awarded the best aerial move of the event which he pulled in his semi final win.
Final Placings -
1st Dave Winchester (AUS/Mullumbimby)
2nd Andrew Lester (AUS/Cronulla)
3rd Mike Stewart (Hawaii)
4th Ben Player (AUS/Avalon)

Azza's Daily Frame

The good guys at Fluidzone have once again chosen one of our Emerald team riders for their Daily Frame! This time it's Aaron "Azza" Glossop, just chillin' in the pit on the knee at Shark Island! Make sure you check out fluidzone.com for your fill of all things bodyboarding!!!

New In-Store Promo Dates!

As promised, the 2011 Shark Island Challenge in-store signing that was scheduled to be held at Emerald earlier this month has been re-scheduled for this Thursday the 16th of June. All the guys who are in the event will be here to sign your gear and answer your questions, from 6:30pm til 7:30pm.

New Emerald video add

Emerald Surf City Cronulla (Bodyboarding Specialists) from Chout Films on Vimeo.