Counting Down

Thats right, the onset of summer is upon us with soaring daytime temperatures and unfortunately this generally means a drop in consistency surf-wise as the low pressure systems travelling through the Tasman Sea tend to get herded further south by warmer land conditions.
However all is not lost with a good Norwest blast looking to line us up later in the week.

We are still looking at holding another club comp before the year is out and the charts are being hen pecked at everyday waiting for the planets to align with a weekend swell so keep an eye out for a call to be made within a week out, this time will most likely see a bigger event with sponsors willing to jump in at all angles including R&R Sport who have already offered up big money value prizes along with ever faithful Hogeys Surf.
Learning to surf? Want to learn to surf? Also this summer will see a couple of "fun" days held at either Tahunanui and/or Rabbbit Island with myself and Cindy Mosey, much like the Mothers Day event earlier in the year so if you wanna give it a crack or just improve yor confidence in the water then keep an eye out for that too.

Thats about it for me.
Pray for waves!!

Around the Grounds!!

Hey all whats been happening? A lot of busy-ness and excitement going on round surf city at the moment with all sorts of mad stuff going on.
Weve had a couple of minor one day swells to keep our lips wet and the water is warming up super fast so we are starting to enjoy our time in the water more now.(above): Original Nelson Boardriders circa '67

Conal and Ana Parkes are soon to return to our shores after a 6 month sojourn through South America with Conal insisting that even when Puerto Econdido was 6-8ft he still craved the smell of the poo ponds, Stevo Devoe's smile and some hearty Snappers action.
Bruce Wilson snuck off to Indo for a fortnight scoring 10ft Balian and the like but hey he missed out on a couple of 3ft windswell's back here so his loss.
Jeremy Pooley is back in the water after a nasty boat accident saw him nearly become craybait, a couple of new sticks under his belt to boot most likely has him rabid with froth.
(above): Bruce dialing up some Balian..
The Cape Classic went down in Westport over the Labour Weekend also with Sam Dunfoy from Kaikoura taking it out, myself the only entrant from Nelson was a bit dissapointing especially seeing as the Blenheim crew sent a 5 strong team, but well I guess pushing your surfing is not everyones piece of cake.
Theres nothing more humbling and than getting your ass kicked!!! and you always come back stronger!!(above): A picture paints a thousand words...
(above): Just up the road from the Westport Comp zone the emptiness was sickening.
Whats that I hear you say?? What Club?? Well next weekend we look set to finally have another get-together and invites to the event location will be emailed early in the week. Thats right a club get-together next weekend...most likely on the Saturday.
Any of you who are interested in joining a "core" club committee other than myself and "The Treasurer" could you please do so via email asap.
(above): More terrible conditions for Bruce whilst in Indo.

Surfs up.....Sometimes.....

(above): Jackson Gregory, now thats how you ride a Longboard.

Here comes the weekend and although no waves forecast for it the water is warming up with the air temp and the forecasts look good again.
A quick reminder that the 21st Cape Classic will be held next weekend with plenty of people heading and even "eloping" to that one. Entry forms available via this link
http://www.surfingnz.co.nz/entry_forms.htmhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
(above): Bruce Wilson enjoying his new Barron...Aboriginal Spray...

.. After the 4 day feast of waves last week we finally have some photos coming in so if you would like a copy of the 3 sessions from monday and tuesday last week... get in touch via contact page.
What else is happening,,,,?? Well ummmm the Nelson City Council has revoked its decision to build a skatepark at Stoke so lets see everyone band together to try get it built down at Tahunanui Beach in place of the old ramp.,...which no longer exists.
(above): Andy Riley wackin it...

Rumour Mill
An email from Spud Brown informs us that he is still alive and well residing in Christchurch and terrorising Sumner,,,Tim Gemmell shaped some great boards in his carpentry course so hopefully we see them in the water before he heads to France...CHristchurch import Tristan Yarrell has also bailed to head overseas to be with his wife in Brazil...Graeme Bird scoffs at shoulder pain to surf epic Snappers ...mysto Surfer Scott Edwards makes his first appearance in the water in 3months and even more mysteriously blows up spraying random punters in the face. .. Not to be outdone D.J comes out of the woodwork for his first surf in 10 years,,,,,, stranger than fiction I know but this is Nelson after all....
...oh and Frosty..... well, where is he?? Last seen pouring buckets of whitebait down his waders somewhere deep west.......
(above): D.J. -First surf in 10 years... not bad young son !!!!!
(above): Neil Tyson, forever young.
Check the photos page for some of the better shots from Bill and Tristan and keep checking it cause I have to decipher them from 5000 photos which is no easy task be assured..
(above):Blenheim Amper Hamish Simpson exposing finnage.
(above): Scott Edwards doing what he does best .......

Remember. for 5000 photos drop me a line and a disc..... thanks again.

Got Rain, Got Swell?

A severe shortage of the above mentioned looks set to end as a couple of systems line themselves up ready to attack the Nelson region over the coming few days.
We should see some rain by afternoon on Saturday and keep your eye on the prize in the wave department too. Local crew have been travelling though with Bruce Wilson scoring Awatere earlier in the week and Keni "Radeke Samo" Duke hitting up Kaikoura whilst Gary Miller has bascially made Kaiks his second home.

A quick heads up for Labour Weekend with the 21st Cape Classic being held in Westport as with most 21st's on the coast Im sure this ones gonna be a cracker! The weekend falls early this year round about the 22nd to 24th which is probably about the same time the Wallabies will be taking the world cup back home on the plane with them.

Have a great weekend.

Blenheim Comp Footage

Blenheim Club Comp Held at Kekarangu!!

A little bit too much south in the swell forced the Blenheim Boardriders club comp (Nelson Boardriders Invitational) to be held a little further south at Kekarangu on Saturday where clean 2-4ft righthand runners were on offer. A perfect location for a fun competition and land base lounging the day was a complete success. Only 3 of us Nelson-ites managed to pull finger and head over but we were all sucessful reaching semi and finals in some divisions.
The talent pool was surprisingly high and there was some amazing surfing going down. Tristan Yarrell formerly of Christchurch and Blenheim's own Rich Norton really pushing the envelope.
(above): Marco Edwards Backhand Hack
(above): Tristan Yarrell laying it on.

As the day wore on a hideous Northerly devil wind rapidly deteriorated conditions but fortunately most of the business had already been done.
A big thankyou to Blenheim Boardriders for the invite and sponsores including Hogeys Surf with 100bucks worth of vouchers as Spot Prizes meaning you didnt have to be Kelly Slater to come away with something as well as the Dive Shop and Dirty Harry's surf shop in Picton.
Surfing is quite often an anti-social event and these loosely called "competitions" are just a great way to get everyone together and hang out at the beach is what we all love to do.
Anyone interested in upcoming events contact Nelson or Blenheim Boardriders and someone will point you in the right direction.
Thanks again,
(above): Bryan Bailey
Results:
Open:
1st Mark Nichols (Nel)
2nd Rich Norton (Blen)
3rd Tristan Yarrell (ChCh/Blen)
4th Adam Nicolle (Blen)

Juniors:
1st Mike "Ratty" Mike Lindstrom (Blen)
2nd Vaughn smith (Blen)
3rd Marco Edwards (Nel)
4th Brayden O'Donnell (Nel)
(above): Leif Christenson, on his way to making semi's in his first ever event.

Finally Some Waves!!

(above): Dougie Nickolaison Piggin it hard.

After a long wait somwhere around the nine week mark, we were greeted with a solid swell late weekend and into Monday and even some leftovers today being Tuesday.
Sunday mroning had everyone scratching their heads wondering where the heck the waves were with most forecast models calling 3metres in the bay, but up until late morning it was virtually flat. As midday hit so did the swell and it picked up rapidly with Cable Bay being the pick of the spots late sunday evening with favourable winds and solid 6foot sets and a lucky crew of six scoring the goods. Surfers included Bruce Wilson, Glen Richardson, Mike lindstrom and Ash O Donnell. Sunday morning saw a lucky few scoring more Cables whilst the midday sunday sesh saw Snappers surfed by the local Snap crew.
(above):Emptiness is solitude.

The Blenheim/Nelson Boardriders club comp is on standby once again for this weekend although conditions at this stage look marginal but stay tuned for a call probably on thursday.
The Blenheim/Nelson Boardriders club comp is on standby once again for this weekend although conditions at this stage look marginal but stay tuned for a call probably on thursday.