Mick O’Regan chats with Bob McTavish
May 27, 2012
As a 12-year-old boy, surf industry pioneer Bob McTavish observed the life his father led.
A career “slave” to the Commonwealth Bank, his dad was overlooked for promotion after 21 years, so he packed up the family and took off for Darwin. “I went, right! There’s something wrong with the way this system functions,” Bob said.
“To me, the whole thing of school, career, wife, kids, mortgage, finally pay off your mortgage when you’re 65 and then have a brief retirement then drop dead, is a very suspicious way of living.”
Instead, seeing how “the system” absorbed the energies of his hardworking father, once Bob became a young man, he chose to “take retirement first, and pay the price later”.
He decided to be more selective about how to live his life, so focussed first on surfing, then on establishing a sometimes bumpy career to become a master craftsman of surfboards, with the company he founded producing surfboards non-stop since 1962.
Rusty takes a break from Gromfest in 2012
April 5, 2012
Gromfest, an annual surfing competition which is a major boost to the Lennox Head economy, is in doubt for this year.
Rusty have announced they are taking a short break from their prestigious Gromfest event this year to revamp the concept and ‘make it bigger than ever for 2013′.
The eventhas been running for the past 16 years and has become Australia’s premier ‘Grommet’ Under-16 surfing event over that time.
Rusty Marketing Manager Damon Hayes said that while decision wasn’t taken lightly, it was one that had to be made to ensure a long and bright future for the event. “We love the Rusty Gromfest, it’s a part of the company’s heart,” he said.
“However, the format is starting to feel somewhat dated. We really want to make sure we’re presenting something special for the kids that captures their youthful spirit.
“So we’re taking some time to give us a chance to talk with the competitors and come back with something exciting to breathe renewed life into the grommet scene.”
Local organisers of the event may consider going ahead with a competition on the July 6-10 dates when Gromfes was scheduled to be held.
The Lennox Head Gromfest has been a stepping stone to bigger things for some of Australia’s best surfers, with previous winners including Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Julian Wilson and the winners of last year’s ASP World Title event at Bells Beach, Joel Parkinson and Sally Fitzgibbons.
Malfunction gets $5000 government grant
January 16, 2012
Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley has announced a NSW Government grant of $5000 for the 2012 Malfunction Surf Festival which will be held from 21–25 March at Kingscliff.
Mr Annesley said: “The NSW Government is proud to support the Malfunction Surf Festival, which has grown from a 3-day amateur event to a 5-day international surf festival attracting thousands of spectators and over 300 participants and officials.”
Malfunction promotes the sport of longboard surfing and provides a world-class experience for local competitors and officials.
As part of the ASP Longboard Qualifying Series for men and women, it provides opportunities for our local athletes to shine on the world stage
As well as showcasing outstanding sporting talent, the Malfunction Surf Festival features a range of surf culture activities including a vehicle rally, live music, movies, learn-to-surf lessons and a high-performance coaching clinic.
Mr Annesley said the $5000 grant was awarded through the NSW Government’s International Sporting Events Program.
For more information visit www.malfunction.com.au
More information on the International Sporting Events Program can be viewed at www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/grants
A Click in Time – Celebrating the Centenary of Australian Surfing Photography 1911 – 2011
November 28, 2011
With names like Blood and Guts, Shipsterns, Spooky’s and Pipeline, you would think these names are more associated with horror movies rather than four spectacular Australian surf breaks that are featured in the Centenary of Australian Surfing Photography Exhibition when it opens in Yamba next Saturday night.
After 18 months planning and research for the exhibition, 100 professional and amateur surfing photographs from every state and decade from 1911 showcase a diverse range of skill, content and creativity while at all times showing some technical merit.
Sports Charity Lunch raises money for Movember
November 26, 2011
The inaugural Movember Sports Charity Lunch at the Byron at Byron Resort on Friday (25th November) was a sell-out success.
The restaurant seated 103 sports fans, eager to hear of the successes and challenges faced by some of Australia’s most loved sports icons.
NSW team chosen to contest National Schools Surfing Championships
July 31, 2011
On an excellent opening day with light offshore winds and quality 1.5- 2m waves, the best High School Students in NSW kicked off a huge week of Surfing competition at Boomerang Beach south of Forster.
With impressive sets of waves rolling through at North Boomerang Beach over the two days of the School Surfing Championships (Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th July), the conditions were set for big scores and a platform for an outstanding surfing event.
“This event has been so much fun. It’s great to surf with my school friends and compete against other schools throughout NSW,” said Audrey Styme-Lane (pictured above) after Audrey and her twin sister Grace won the U/19 Girls MR Shield event.
Steve Watts (pictured), the President of School Surfing NSW, is pleased at how the School and Junior Titles had run together for the first time in 31 years, creating a 7-day event filled with top school and junior talent.
School Surfing NSW and Surfing NSW have formulated a successful plan for future state titles.
“The level of surfing continues to improve every year and this year the surfing was epic, with two fantastic days of School Surfing,”Steve said.
“Thank you to everyone who volunteered throughout the year to make this event happen, the teachers, parents/carers and principals have been amazing and many thanks to Surfing NSW who we have joined with us for the first time in 31 years.
“It has been a huge success.”
The winners from this event will respresent NSW in the Australian School Surfing Championships being held a Coffs Harbour in late November 2011.
2011 NSW School Surfing Team for the National Championships:
Allstars Teams
- U/19 Boys Josh Hay, Kincumber High and Chris Robertson, De la Salle Carringbah
- U/19 Girls Lauren McAleer, Freshwater High and Alice Kelly, Barrenjoey High
- U/16 Boys Jeames Young, Maclean High and Teague Robinson, Kincumber
- U/16 Girls Ashlee Spence, St Joseph’s Banora Pt and Cali McDonough, Byron Bay High.
Mark Richards Shield Teams
- U/19 Boys Matt King and Sean Mawson, Ulladulla High
- U/19 Girls Audrey and Grace Styme-Lane, Kingscliff High
- U/16 Boys Teague Robinson and Brendan Hay, Kincumber High.
US targeted in tourism’s surf culture drive
December 15, 2010
With the Oprah Winfrey’s Ultimate Australian Adventure shows expected to attract audiences in the millions in the United States, Northern Rivers Tourism says it has already scored outstanding reach in the US with a consumer promotion celebrating Northern Rivers surf culture.
The ‘Going Vertical in Byron Bay Sweepstakes’ was promoted throughout October and November through online advertising on TripAdvisor.com and supporting publicity in surf and outdoor adventure magazines and a range of online travel, surf and lifestyle blogs in the US.
Surfers needed for national survey on injury rates
October 13, 2010
Surfing is one of Australia’s greatest pastimes, but those lucky enough to participate in this sport know there are possible hazards.
Southern Cross University is undertaking a study to investigate the prevalence of injuries in Australian surfers.
Is Yamba the birthplace of Australia’s surfing photography?
July 12, 2010
Last year the seaside village of Yamba in northern NSW was voted by Australian Traveller Magazine to be the ‘Best Town in Australia’, and now organisers of their annual community festival are looking to claim another title for the town: “Is Yamba the birthplace of Australia’s surfing photography?”
To find the answer to this question the festival organising committee is seeking the help of the Australian surfing community.
Surfing legend Shorty Connors honoured at Lennox Point
April 25, 2010
Ron ‘Shorty’ Connors was ‘no different to the boys and girls of today — he loved his surfing, especially at the Point’.
Those words came from Shorty’s dad Cyril at the opening of the Ron ‘Shorty’ Connors Memorial Stairs at Lennox Point on Saturday.
