I am curious how the weekend went. Usually theres been a wrap by now. who won? and how were the conditions?
thanks mate.
What does the king and queen corona mean? Also whats the difference between the masters and grand masters catregories?
Arrived on dusk Wednesday night to a beaut 20knot southerly and lot's of 'you should have been heres.'
Thursday, no wind, small swell, plenty of supping, if that's your thing. I had a go, was better than I thought (supping that is, I was lousy at it.)
Friday was the best kiting I had, Pambula river mouth is a great spot. Outgoing tide making the 13 odd knots kiteable. Wind picked up a bit, looked up to the main and there was what seemed like a thousand kites in the sky. Wind didn't last long.
I timed my worst hangover of the year perfectly for Saturday. The morning was pouring with rain and squally. Reports of Ben Wilson and a competently keen crew kiting an angry looking south swell at Short Point.
Saturday afternoon was picture perfect, no wind but 3-4 foot waves barreling through the bar for the surfers. Was pretty crowded and the locals seemed to be getting the best of it.
Can't personally say what the Saturday night "how much can a koala bear" Australiana night was as I was too green from Friday night to attend, but all that did reported a great night.
Sunday the SSW turned on and there was plenty of kiting and wavesailing action on the main beach. It was very fluky close to shore, and very strong and gusty out the back. Most seemed to enjoy it.
Regarding the placings. I'm a little unsure about the judging criteria for this comp. I must have got it wrong because I thought the person who performed the most spine tinglingly fast, controlled maneuvers, throwing the largest buckets of water in the most critical section of the wave, then proceeded to sink the most fizz and talk the most inane nonsense that night would take it out. The fact I didn't place proves this wasn't the case.
It was a great four days, congratulations and thanks to the MSB (Merimbula Sailboard Club) for hosting it. It's a 'competition' that doesn't take itself too seriously.
The BBQ didn't stop nor disappoint, there was heaps of gear to demo, boards, kites, sups, street sups, the Corona tent was where you wanted to be, everyone was there for a good time. I didn't see on angry word pass all weekend.
Good Stuff.
well well welly well well
my 2nd year running and predictably most sponsered riders take out the prises
not necessarily the best on the day
the best conditions for the whole comp were on saturday morn early
BW and 4 others were getting out the back and riding the same waves(4-6ft)
at short point this seemed to count for the winner but not the others?
so the rest of comp must of been judged on the ssw atrocious crap that was served up on sunday,or the mediocore friday
Maybe sponsered peeps could have a category of there own
to give the amature's and weekend hacks some recognition,
and didn't ben get tangled with a fellow kiter on sunday
Not a whinge just trying to have some constructive criticism
Otherwise it was a well catered 4 piss up of a weekend 
any ideas on this type of format?
I got a few epic hours at Short Point on Friday. Can't believe every one was at Main Beach.
If I could go to a four day comp and be able to spend as much time in water as I liked and ride free demo boards etc and have free entertainment and only have to pay $110... I'd be there in a flash.The Club should charge more than the $110 but we don't because all workers are voluntary.
Unless we cover the costs we would not be able to hold the event so cheaply....eg a T shirt exclusive we sell for $35...where you buy one in a surf shop for $40.
The "few' BBQ feeds is an ongoing session all you can eat for four days from breakfast to arvo.
Corona's for $3...can't beat that.
And top prizes such as kites and new boards go to 'up and comers' not pros and depending where you come out in draw you always get a prize.
The Club introduced the $65 ticket for partners not going in event and that is four days feed plus a T shirt so if people are thinking of scamming that deal and still going in water you would be compromising the insurance cover we pay for so thanks for the warning.
As I said on the first day welcoming we are all volunteers,the club needs to cover expenses so we can keep the event going and pay for expenses of keeping the club going all year and on top of that MSC contributes significantly to projects such as school surfing,junior windsurfing.The surf rescue facility set up at the event that assists competitors in trouble will need a way to differentiate between those who pay and any bludgers on the system.
We also have to pay for an Aquatic licence and a liquot licence and event insurance and security for three nights...the list goes on.
I was picked out fourth last at the preso and still picked up a rash vest. Would have to be $50 worth. Add the value of the t shirt. Say $40. Leaves $20 to feed me as many burgers as I care to eat in four days. Beer on the beach for $3 a pop. . Tried out a few sups and then gave them back because they had been damaged.
All that without pumping up a kite all four days. To say that $110 is a bit excessive is not constructive criticism. It is b/s that is offensive to all of the volunteers who put in a huge effort.
Most people would have spent $110 on their average evening at the bowlo.
I agree with ****detector. I reckon I ate nearly $110 worth of food off the BBQ in 4 days & the cheerful dude who cooked all weekend even gave my dog a few bits of steak for his dinner :)
Add to that the demos, the parties, the preso, the cheap beer and the awesome original t-shirt... it's a no brainer.
I'm stoked your dog got fed Ezza.
Al dogs at the Classic get free BBQ.
This is a dog friendly event..must be worth another $50!!
guys and girls in no way am i dissing the event and John thanks for explaining
how costs are broken down . special thanks to the volunteers, awesome job
but i think your missing my point if its a social get together \ demo days like
kitestock with entertainment then thats ok, thats how it should be advertised
not a comp that every day people enter with no chance of a place unless your
known rider (not saying i am any where good enough) but others were.
disregard $60 comment was off handed and unintended to course concern
absolutely no intent to be offensive,and not pumping up a kite in 4 days probably
makes you a lazy a$$ as some of us who domo-ed early pumped them up for you
at no time did i complain about cost, only how and who became winners
as i said before had a great 5 days away with good mates and got some kiting
in on the way ,there, and on the way homewas only asking about the format
not trying to stir up trouble .
thanks the Burglar
The Classic has never been put up as simply a competition.If thats what you want we can run heats with judges on the beach and send you home when you miss being placed..This is THE event where you get to ride alongside some of the best in the game,check them out,emulate them if you like....
Because it's so big in numbers we only have so many trophy places and then the next ranked entrants in all disciplines get drawn out as 'top performers' and there were about 30 or more of these and very few were 'pros' just guys and chicks that go for it.
Apart from one or two you may find some are "sponsored" with a bit of gear etc and most hold down full time jobs necessary to support their habit,be it kie wave sail or SUP or all three.
Maybe we should coin the phrase..."the Classic is not a contest but a way of life"???
And don't be harsh on the dog,he saw more than you think!!
I went last year and was blown away by how well organized the whole gig was- John and the rest of the volunteers deserve massive kudos. Great value and good fun....btw was there a comp last year ?? I just remember alot of Coronas a BBQ and some epic kiting.....
Hey Bennie
The King ...and The Queen are for outstanding performances in at least two of the three disciplines...we were doing three but then we fighured we'd have the same few all the time.....so in this instance both king and Queen ripped in both kiting and SUP
Masters are 35yo to 45yo
and grand Masters are Over 45yo
Another awesome Corona despite the forecasts . Wind , waves , beer and lots of great people having fun !
Ben and Keahi were definately the stand outs in the kiting , both getting out as much as possible and putting on a show for us mortals . The difference being Bens session at short point from day break to 9.30am on saturday in a nasty storm swell with howling rain .
Cant believe some one who attended this year could possibly have a winge ! Its the only rule - no wingers !!!
The phrase 'throwing buckets' gets tossed around a bit these days;
How many 9 liter buckets in the air in the last shot?
In Additon to Loverboys comments i was there for the 30 year celebrations last year. Was an absolutely awesome event and was extremely dissapointed i couldnt attend this year (only so much leave u can take when uve been travelling Central and South America for 10 weeks just prior).
Hamburglar, maybe u need to make u presence known in future, dont just be the 284th competitior on paper. Last year 12 of us SA lads made the trek and spent the better part of the 4 days rolling around in Dog suits making absolute idiots of ourselves. We were all just average punters there for the party but as a result Loverboy took home a brank spanking new Firewire surfboard. Not bad for just making a fool of yourself all weekend! Sorry Loverboy, u know i love u! he he
Enter your dog next year Ezza. Well have atrophy for King and Queen Dog. Will win a slab for owner and a life membership to BBQ xxx
