RIPPER
Surfers head to One Mile beach

By Andrew Stackpool

Corporal Trent Tscheuschler shows his stuff during selection trials at Blacksmith Beach. Photo by LAC Brad Spencer

SURFING aficionados will see history in the making over April 21-23 when two dozen waxed-up Air Force hopefuls confront the elements and their sister services at the inaugural NSW inter-service surf-riding carnival.

It won’t be Big Wednesday or the north shore, but One Mile Beach north of RAAF Base Williamtown promises ideal runs with good wave shape and size, offshore winds, an offshore set making for better runs, warm waters and protection from the big southerly Tasman swells.

The 24-man team, ranging in age, rank and experience from leading aircraftmen to group captains, is the pick of the 30-odd hopefuls who turned out on February 27 at Blacksmith’s Beach south of Newcastle for the Air Force selection trials. The 3m southerly set promised some impressive rides and the competitors were not to be disappointed.

According to Corporal Grant Robinson, Team Manager and President of the Williamtown Surf Riders Club, there is “huge interest” in the Air Force for the sport but this is the first time sufficient momentum has been established to take it to ISS level.

“Our club has been running for about six years and I’ve been involved for about 20. But until now that’s as far as it has gone,” CPL Robinson said.

“However, I think we’ll do well in the carnival. We have strong representation. One of our members makes his own boards and two are sponsored.

“Depending on the success of the carnival, we will be applying for recognition of surf-riding as a recognised inter-service sport. The NSW IS Sports Committee is backing us and we have approval to run this carnival as a NSW accredited event to see if it is viable for ISS status.

“People from interstate have been ringing me to see if they can compete. I’ve told them this is purely a NSW event. I’ve suggested they form their own State organisations and run their own State comps, which will then build the case for true ISS representation.

“Navy is also very interested and their rep is a recognised international judge who also runs his own surf school. But it’s only now that Army people are coming out. This is the building phase and if we get through it we can then look at the higher levels of ISS and beyond.”

Following the warm-up day on April 21, the carnival commences on the Thursday with the teams event while the individual short and long boarders will compete in their respective divisions on Friday.

A short-board man, CPL Robinson is encouraging anyone with any interest in surfing to turn up and watch.
“We’ll have the best surf on the coast, top surfers and plenty of action. It’s going to be a great comp.”

NSW Surf-riding Carnival Air Force team

On long boards
Group Captains Richard Owen; William Johnson and Monty Smith; Wing Commander Steve Richards; Corporals Brett Garner and Murray Stabler; Leading Aircraftmen Richard Goldshaft and Malcolm Biscoe.

On short boards
Corporals Grant Robinson (Captain); Trent Tscheuschler (Vice-Captain); Adam Watson; Murray Stabler; Robbie Warne; Shae Cameron; Simon Bright; Stuart Wilson and Timothy Galvin and Leading Aircraftmen Andrew Hogg; Brad Spencer; Euan Grant; Jason Ruhan; Justin Davey; Luke Moore and Scott MacCallum.

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