Sapphire Coast Boardriders host surf finale for year

A large crowd at Merimbula Main Beach throughout the morning to enjoy the sun and watch the event take place.

Club president Craig Ryan said it was the perfect way to cap off an amazing year.  

“It was a hit, it has been so flat recently so it was great to see the weather come out and to get a good showing,” Ryan said. 

“There were a lot of waves to go round which made a lot of happy faces at the end of the day.”

The Sapphire Coast Boardrider Club had planned to have 10 competitions throughout the year but a lack of swell or bad conditions mean they were only about the run six of them. 

Despite this, they practices proper competition scoring meaning Saturday’s event was the day to present the trophies and prizes. 

Ryan said there was some impressive surfing from the club throughout the year but made special mention of two of the junior surfers whose enthusiasm was evident all year. 

“Arabella Tarpey and Harry Fergusson are both taking their surfing seriously and are taking it to the next level,” he said. “They are both heading up and competing in different surf comps up north which is really great to see.”

Karen Tarpey, the mother of Arabella Tarpey who won first place in the Under 18 girls category, took to social media to express her gratitude at being able to be a part of such a wonderful day.

“Such a great day,” Ms Tarpey said. “Thank you to all the organisers, sponsors and behind the scenes people who pull it all together. You do an amazing job.”

Ryan echoed Ms Tarpey’s comments saying the work of the whole committee and other volunteers was what made the club so successful throughout the year.

“I’m overwhelmed with the amount of time people put it, they get down to the beach at 6am and stay until the afternoon, they’re the ones that make these events happen.”

All competitors were presented with prizes donated by Simon Emms from the Merimbula Surf Shop with the place getters receiving fantastic trophies. 

The club will hold it’s AGM early next year and hopes to run it’s first competition of 2017 in February. 

Open Men: 1^st Peter Byard, 2^nd Hamish Wenczel and 3^rd Ken Ferguson.

Open Women: 1^st Tiffany Drake, 2^nd Hannah Bird and 3^rd Zoe Buchanan.

U18 Boys: 1^st Harry Fergusson, 2^nd Zane Hodsdon and 3^rd Zac Kelly.

U18 Girls: 1^st Arabella Tarpey, 2^nd Rosie Mills and 3^rd Emma Bennett.

U15 Boys: 1^st Charlie Buckingham, 2nd Flin McKinnon and 3rd Jacob Overend