O’Neill Cold Water Classic Santa Cruz runs October 26th - 31st 2011 @ the natural amphitheater setting of Steamer Lane. This is the final event in the CWC series with the overall series winner claiming a $50k bonus. Adam Melling is currently 2nd in the ratings courtesy of his win in Tassie earlier this year. Stu Kennedy is in 8th and still a chance. Mello surfs in Ht 14 and Stu in Ht 16. Good luck fellas.

Update October 27th

Good news for Mello and Stu in their hunt for the CWC Series win with ratings leader Brent Dorrington eliminated in his first heat.

Update October 28th

A great start to the event today with Stu and Mello both progressing through to the round of 48. Stu was sitting in 3rd only needing a 3.94 with the clock ticking down to the final 2 minutes. Many surfers would feel under pressure but Stu just busts a big alley-oop and takes the win. Classic Stu. Mello started with a huge 9.50 and confidently sat forever waiting for his back up, which eventually came and he finished 2nd. Ice-man.

“I knew it was going to be pretty slow out there so I thought the guy who goes through is going to get the set. Luckily that set had a few waves in it and the last one was the best one. I was glad to get it.”

“I am definitely getting into the water with a fight. It might not have looked like it as I didn’t catch another wave until the last 5 minutes. I would really need the points for my ASP World Ranking, so I am probably going to think about that more than the money. But that $50,000 would definitely be a good bonus for the end of the year.

Image courtesy Cory Hansen

Update October 29th

Mello ripped and boosted above the Waddell Creek lefts to secure another win and move into the final 24. Unfortunately Stu couldn't find the right sections to unleash his aerial attack and was eliminated in 3rd.
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Update October 30th

In the round of 24 Mello took down JJ-Flo. In the No Loser round 4 he missed progressing straight through to the quarters by 0.03.
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Update October 31st

Mello went down to Tiago in 1' crud in Round 5. He finished 9th with 2400 points.
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Kirra Surfriders Junior Teams Challenge 2011 ran on the Goldy October 23rd. Following on from the Straddie Teams win the young fellas stepped up and finished 2nd to Snapper. The result cements Le-Ba's position as one of Australia's top boardriding clubs. Congratulations to all the groms in the team and the supporters that fired them up.

Individual heat results -

Mikey McDonagh 2nd
Luke Condon 1st
Zac Wightman 1st
Jake Snellgrove 1st
Sam Morgan 2nd
Tom Snellgrove 1st


Le Ba_Kirra Junior Teams Challenge 2011 from steve Condon on Vimeo.

Le-Ba Boardriders wins 2011 Straddie Assault. The entire team ripped in their Saturday heats to leave the club clear winners. The club also cleaned up in the individual awards. Stu Kennedy claimed Best Maneuver and Highest Wave Score (Open Mens ) for a massive front side air reverse on his opening ride. Stephen Walsh claimed Best Tube with a sick backside pit. Steph Single claimed Highest Wave Score ( Womens ).

The team was -
James Wood ( 2nd in heat 1 )
Sam Morgan ( 1st in heat 7 )
Marcus Aboody ( 1st in heat 10 )
Zac Wightman ( 2nd in heat 14 )
Steph Single ( 1st in heat 19 )
Stu Kennedy ( 1st in heat 23 )
Tom Snellgrove ( 2nd in heat 27 )
Stephen Walsh ( 1st in heat 29 )

The results for the final 4 Open heats were not announced til the Sunday presso but the Le-Ba old boys brains trust were confident enough to claim it Saturday arvo. Thanks to Stu, Marcus and Blacky for their eloquent speeches at the Presso. Congratulations to all.

Stu going mental on his 1st wave. Photos Darren Simondson

BL's Blastoff ran September 26th - 29th on Sydney's Northern beaches. The The aim is to introduce young surfers to the world of competition in a friendly and encouraging environment that focuses on surf improvement and family fun. Mikey McDonagh was impressive throughout the event and won the Final of the U 10 Boys division. Jack Murray finished 6th in the Final of the U 12 Boys. Well done groms.

Quiksilver Pro France runs October 4th - 13th at the world class beachbreaks of La Graviere, Hossegor in Southwest France. Owen Wright, currently ranked No.2 , will surf against Dane Reynolds and Chris Davo in Ht 4 round 1. Adam Melling is on standby. Good luck fellas.

Image Kirstin/ASP

Update October 4th

Lay day.
“As expected, we don’t have much on offer this morning and have called a lay day today,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge said. “We’re expecting an increase over the next several days and will reassess conditions for a possible start tomorrow morning.”

Update October 5th

Owen had a win despite coming unstuck a couple of times and goes straight into round 3.

Owen powering off the top. Image Chauche

Update October 6th

Mello looked to have the heat won with 1 minute to go in round 2 but was just over taken by Otts. Bad luck mate.

Update October 10th

Owen wasted no time in the final heat of the day, smashing a 7.00 and an 8.17 in the opening minutes to dispatch of Tiago Pires and advance through to Round 4 vs Taj and Damien Hobgood

Update October 12th

Owen surfed great in round 4 but couldn't find a back up and finished 3rd in the heat. In round 5 vs Jordy he came unstuck on a heap of big airs and couldn't find the higher scores. Owen finished 9th.

Image Chauche

Image Chauche

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Quiksilver King of the Groms 2011 runs in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro France October 4th - 13th. Winners from each of the regional events held in Australia, Brazil, Tahiti, Europe, the U.S. and in other countries throughout the world have qualified for the prestigious global final. Mikey Wright will be competing as one of the Aussie qualifiers. Good luck mate.

Update October 4th

Mikey finished 2nd in round 1 with wave scores of 6.27 and 8.57 and surfs next in Ht 6 round 2 vs Mihimana Braye from Tahiti.

Mikey and Owen pre heat chat. Image Chauche

Update October 10th

Mikey won his round 2 heat vs Mihimana Braye with a heat total of 12.50 to 9.73. In the non elimination round 3 Mikey scored an interference and finished 3rd. Mikey couldn't find the bombs in round 4 and finished the event in 9th.

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Rip Curl GromSearch Coffs Harbour 2011 runs Monday 3rd - Thursday 6th October. A herd of smelly little Le-Ba groms have headed down to have a go. This event utilizes a unique competition format that guarantees all entries at least two surfs before possible elimination. Points are awarded for first through to fourth place and then added to determine finalists after two rounds. Good luck fellas.

Update October 3rd

Under 16 and 14 Boys went today in windy solid conditions. Round 1 results -
!6's - Sam Morgan 3rd
14's - Jake Snellgrove 1st
Kian Shahar 1st
Regan Martinovich 2nd
Zac Wightman 3rd
Zak Condon 4th

Update October 4th

Under 16 and 14 Boys went again today.
Round 2 results -
16's - Sam Morgan 1st
14's - Jake Snellgrove 3rd
Kian Shahar 1st
Regan Martinovich 2nd
Zac Wightman 2nd
Zak Condon 4th

Jake, Kian and Sam are all through to the quarters.

Update October 5th

All divisions ran today. In the U12's round 1 Mikey McDonagh came 2nd while Luke Condon and Jack Murray finished 3rd. In the U14's Jake finished the event 5th overall and Kian was 13th. In the U16's Sam also finished 5th overall. Well done fellas.

Update October 6th

In the U12's round 2 Mikey McDonagh and Luke Condon both came 2nd while Jack Murray finished 4th. Unfortunately for Mikey and Luke their total score left them just short of making the semis.