New Harvey Norman store, TerBorg comments

By Keri Algar

SYDNEY, NSW: Staff at the new Harvey Norman in Ipswich were run off their feet yesterday in a boxing day-like shopping frenzy after the store was opened by the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale.

The new store has been earmarked by the local community as the urgent shot in the arm needed to stimulate the commercial centre, which locals say is stagnant.

“There’s a lot of residential development going around in the area so it’s becomes necessary for the town and city centre to provide more services for people to access,” said Miriam TerBorg, who works near Ipswich. 

“It will keep people coming to Ipswich, because at the moment there are a lot of new supercenters going on around the outer suburbs, so in that respect it will keep the community alive, the Ipswich business centre alive and vibrant.”

Peter Savas, the store’s electrical appliance franchisee told Current.com.au that the opening day had gone “phenomenally well” and that there had been a lot of “ooohs and aaahs” from customers as they wandered about the 3066-square metre super centre.

Savas said they had not advertised sales prior to the opening but had offered some exceptional specials on the day including a 1-terabyte hard drive for $78 and toasters and kettles for $5.

As for other consumer electronics stores in the area that might feel the pinch, Savas said that they were probably a bit nervous and would step up their game, since Harvey Norman was always a “step up”.

Zoning: what price is right?

By Keri Algar

A massive waterfront property which has been held by a family for a hundred years is finally being offered for sale.
The 256ha property on the Caboolture Bribie Island Road at Sandstone Point just before the Bribie Island Bridge, has almost a kilometre of frontage to the bay.

Marketing agent Danny Bukowski of Ray White Rural said there had been a variety of interest in the rural block including property developers who have been aware of the land and its potential for a long time.

The Sandstone Point property is currently zoned as rural.

Mr Bukowski said not knowing if the land will be re-zoned in the future made gauging its market value difficult.

With canal properties across the bridge on Bribie Island selling for up to $1,000,000 Mr Bukowski said zoning laws could change at Sandstone Point.

“It could happen in five years or ten, or it might never. I’d think it mad not to happen,” he said.

The neighbouring land is already already well developed. A reserve price has not been set for the property yet, but will be before its auction on May 7.

Mitch Crews: Mind over matter

Insight with Mitch Crews: Enthusiasm, Optimism and Success

 

 

By Keri Algar 

Mitch Crews has a swag of sponsors behind him and it’s no surprise. He’s friendly, happy and talented. His head is screwed on and the future looks bright. This year Crews has been smashing the Pro Junior circuit, and at the time of printing he is leading by a solid margin. GC Surf managed to steal twenty minutes with our Currumbin boy between his overseas jaunts. Mitch says that it’s all a bit weird how somehow things have just fallen into place, but he’s happy to roll with it.  

 

 

mitch at a northern beach, sydney. bluesnapper.com

GC: Hey Mitch, thanks for taking the time.

MC: Hey no worries, I’m happy to.

 GC: What’s been happening?

MC: This is my first week at home for quite a while so I’ve just been cruising.

 GC: You were in Tahiti recently, Rangiroa, which is an island a bit out of the way. What was it like over there?

MC: It was a five grade pro junior that counted towards our series and it was this perfect right hander, we were all freaking out. The surf was unbelievable, it was a joke. It was just this crazy, crazy right hander, a world class wave and only a couple of local kids out. They were just frothing to have people there. It was epic.  Six foot and you know, pretty scary for a couple of days, gnarly. I had fun, I had an epic time. It’s so beautiful over there.

 GC: That sounds pretty good. Where are you heading to next?

MC: I’m going to Trestles (California) next week. Just to compete in a different field of surfers. They only allow one Australian in their events over there so I thought I might as well go. Surf Trestles with three guys out is a good excuse. I’m looking forward to it. The States are amazing; I’d love to live there at some point, LA probably. It looks sick, the lifestyle and city life. But the waves aren’t really good over there so only if I wasn’t surfing; it’s probably where I’d like to live. I don’t know what I’d do though. It’s weird because surfing is all I really know for now. But I consider myself kind of smart so I’d get myself into something. Anyway, it’s just a little dream.

 GC: OK, let’s back track a bit and find out where Mitch Crews hails from?

MC: I was born on the Sunshine Coast in Nambour Hospital. We moved from the sunny coast to the south coast of NSW when I was eight, and then moved back up to the Gold Coast when I was 14. I started surfing when I was about ten. Dad’s always surfed and I’ve always been around the water. It’s always been included in my lifestyle. I wanted to surf, gave it a go and thought, yeah, I want to do that.

 GC: How did the transition into competitive and then professional surfing come about?

MC: I went into a couple of comps when I was about fourteen but just never did very good at it. I didn’t really think much of it. I just did it for fun because I enjoyed it and the next thing I know I started getting a lot more results and then the next thing I know it’s my job!

...fun. bluesnapper.com

GC: How are you dealing with the sudden increase of attention?

MC: It’s strange; it’s all come so quickly. I’m just trying not to let it affect me and get a big head about it. I haven’t changed anything, I still feel like I’m surfing the same. I just think that my mind set is a bit different this year. One day I just realised how I’m over loosing and I just want to win comps, and it worked. I’m still the same person, it’s fun. It’s weird being that person winning instead of someone else. I’m just rolling with it. I’m trying to keep fit and focused and do my job. I like the attention, it makes me want to do better and it gives me confidence in my surfing. Right now I reckon I’m more relaxed than I was a couple of contests ago because I’ve been surfing contests and I haven’t had anything less than a third. I’m just a happy guy right now.

...epic

 GC: Yeah, you’re having an excellent year and there’re only four contests left.

MC: It’s (the junior series) been good, I’m on a good run and 5000 points in front. It’s a lot for now but then anything can happen.

 GC: Are you getting any coaching or training?

MC: Nah, not really, oh actually sorry, yeah I do get a bit of coaching. Barton Lynch actually works at Hurley. Hurley has put together these performance camps to get their younger riders, and actually all their team together and coach them… whether it’s mentally, heat tactics, or technique. Barton Lynch is in charge of all that. It’s helped me out quite a lot. Barton’s been supporting me through every event. Not hands on really because I haven’t been able to see him, but on the phone…keeping my head focused.

 GC: Having the support of a world champ must be good. Any others?

MC: I’ve got a bunch of friends on the junior series and we’re all super tight. We’ve been competing against each other for so long that we’re used to it. We all like seeing each other do well and we all support each other, it’s epic how the guys push you, especially good friends.

 GC: What about other influences or people you look up to?

MC: Definitely my Dad, he influences me a lot with how I am as a person…to be down to earth. Umm…influences now, I have to look at guys like Koby Bryant because he’s there to win. Guys like him and Lil Wayne, the rapper, because he’s come from nothing to something. When you’re young you always look up to those older guys surfing, especially when you’re first on the junior series. But they never really want to talk to you; they’re not interested because you’re just some little grommet. That’s really influenced me. Now I’m in that position I want to acknowledge anyone. I’ve always got time to stop for a chat. If I am winning I want people to be stoked, not think ‘oh that guy’. I want them to think ‘good on him’.

 GC: Have there been any defining moments in your life or career?

A defining moment…yeah. At the end of last year I got diagnosed with arthritis, a type of arthritis in my spine. They were saying how I wouldn’t be able to surf and stuff or compete. That kind of rattled me. I just worked on it and saw a bunch of doctors and now I’m fitter than I’ve ever been. It’s changed everything. I took things a lot for granted before that…surfing, everything. Just the chance that I can surf now, I’m just stoked. I’m getting good treatment for it and I’m happy.

 GC: I guess that’s the sort of thing that makes you really appreciate the things in your life.

MC: Oh yeah, I’m grateful for my health, and just the chance that I can surf for a living. I’m just lucky to do what I get to do. The more you hear people whinging…what? Don’t whinge, there are so many other people worse off than us. I’m grateful for what I get to do everyday. I can’t live without surfing, my friends and family, they’re everything.

 GC: With all this travelling do you feel like you’re missing out on anything?

MC: I’m so busy right now I miss out on a lot of a teenage normal life. I’m on the road 24/7. I miss a bunch of friends at home and going out a lot. But the experiences I have on the road, you can’t really trade much for them. It’s epic.

 GC: You’re on the road a lot. Have you read any good books recently?

MC: Books…I read a bit. I’ve read all the Twilight books and the Harry Potter’s. But I’ve just been reading a lot of business books recently…ways to invest my money well and stuff. I’m not a huge reader but if I have a book I’ll read it till the end. I’m reading a lot of magazines about investing and property and things like that because down the track I want to be young and I want to be rich and I want to have properties! (He’s cracking up) That’s my aim.

 GC: What do you love most about the Goldy?MC: I love hanging out with my friends. It’s such a massive place where you’re always meeting new people. You gotta love home. We’ve got the best weather and some of the best waves in the world, when we’ve got the swell. To call myself a Gold Coaster, you know, I’m sorta proud. But if it wasn’t the gold coast and surf it would be LA, ha ha.

 GC: So if it wasn’t surfing, what would life be for you?

MC: As a kid I was super into basketball, but I’m no good at it. I’m really into music, I like rap so I’d like to get into that. But when I was younger I wanted to be a pro surfer…I just never thought I’d go down that path and now I’m sort of here earning money and it’s just a part of it. I haven’t really done anything else, it’s kind of weird.  I didn’t expect it to happen. One day I was surfing and the next I’ve got sponsors.

 GC: That’s right, and a lot of them…Hurley, Electric, DVS, Gorilla Grip, FCS, Aerial 7 Headphones, Lee Stacey Surfboards…how did it come about?

MC: Well I got Hurley when I was 17. I actually won a pro junior when I was 17, just fluked it and somehow the next thing I know I’ve got all these sponsors, it’s crazy. That’s how quick it happened. One day I couldn’t make a heat and the next I won a pro junior. It’s kind of psycho when you’re 17.

 GC: I heard that you’re planning on taking next year off from full time competition and that Hurley is backing you all the way. What are your reasons?

MC: If I do take the junior series out this year, I want to have a year where I’m doing a lot more photo and video trips to fill my profile and work on my surfing. I don’t want to be known as that guy who can win contests; I want to be known as the whole package, someone who can do tricks, surf bigger waves. Next year I’m going to focus on those points on my surfing and building my profile. I want to be a surfer kids want to watch. Do all those crazy things you see on the movies now. You don’t get a chance to work on them much when you’re competing full time. You see some guys who have done the junior series and gone straight into the WQS drop off the map. It’s a hard transition I think, moving from the juniors into the ‘QS. It’s such a big thing, and it’s not easy qualifying. So I’ll keep myself fresh and in the contest frame of mind by doing the odd event as well.

 GC: How do you envision your future?

MC: The future? Hopefully on the WCT…definitely giving it a good old crack. I’d still want to be surfing…enjoying everything and just keeping happy.

mitch. bluesnapper.com

GC: Is there anything you’d change right now?

MC: Not really, I’m content; I’m happy, super happy. Just cruising at home…I’m frothing seeing all my friends again having a couple of wines and good dinners.

 GC: Thanks Mitch, I reckon that’ll do. Oh, before you go, what was this tweet I read the other day about you talking to some kids at a hospital?MC: My doctors for arthritis are up in Brisbane so they asked me to help them out by talking to some of the kids about surfing. It was good to go in there and talk to them because they’re stoked. The kids are sitting in there all the time doing nothing, they’re sick and just to see them smile was epic. It sounds corny, but it’s a really nice feeling. You don’t have to be anyone, you just have to be someone new and bubbly and they’ll be happy to see you.

 After seeing Barton Lynch literally jump out of his beach seat while watching Crews surf against Peterson Crisanto at the Hurley Burleigh we figured it would be worth giving the 1988 world champ a call to see what all the fuss was about. As it turns out, Barton is raving mad on Mitch. This is what he had to say…

 I just think he’s a nice bloke. He’s got a really nice manner and a really nice way about him. He’s always gracious and appreciative of everything. I think he’s got a really good attitude especially if you compare it to a lot of the attitudes going around. Great attitude, good energy, he’s an incredible surfer, he’s got a bubbly personality so I think he’s got all of the elements that it takes to be successful.

 I don’t remember anyone in the junior series, ever really, being as dominant as he is. This year Davey Cathels has given him a bit of a run, Chris Friend and Dean Bowen have done all right too.

I suppose the reality is, the type of run that he’s having now in the pro junior – you have that run on the WCT and that’s what wins you world titles.

 I think that he’s very well rounded. He can surf in all kinds of waves and he can do all kinds of maneuvers and tricks. You know he’s got a pretty good arsenal of tricks and good broad spread of surfing. The foundation is there for international success I reckon, he just needs to work on his surfing in general, because everything is there. It’s a matter of just being consistent and working on it all…big waves, the airs and the tricks, maintaining the consistency in competition, expanding his exposure and opportunities to build his image.

 He’s got to consider all the elements that it takes to have a holisitic approach to developing your career…and I think he’s a pretty clever kid, he’s aware of that.

 I think it’s a pretty good idea to not go straight into the WQS. I know Hurley have pretty much torn up his contract and wrote him a whole new one and doubled what he was getting. Without him even asking, you know! They were so stoked with how he’s done, they just went sure, we’ll do you a new one…they’re really happy with how he’s going.

 I think his arthritis has seen him take a good look at himself, his behavior patterns, consider his diet, consider his fitness, consider everything and realise the fragility of what he has…the potential surfing career, sponsors, good times and parties, all the stuff that makes a happy and healthy life. The arthritis sort of made him realise how fragile that all can be. So consequentially that really kicked him into gear. 

I just hang there in the background as a sounding board if he ever needs it. I’m really stoked when he does well, we’ve worked together at Hurley camps and so its’ great to see him go.  

2010 Hurley Burleigh

Contest Wrap Up

Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW) is US$25,000 richer after winning the fourth annual Hurley Burleigh Pro Junior on Australia Day.

cha-ching

A fit looking Bowen claimed the prestigious title after defeating Chris Friend (Alex Headland, QLD) in a King Kong style battle.

The NSW powerhouse got off to a good start in the 0.5m waves. A bit of a State of Origin clash ensued as each surfer trumped the other’s score. Friend gave Bowen a run for his money for the entire 30 minute heat, finally leading Bowen to retaliate with a 9.17 (out of a possible 10). Despite a perfect start and great surfing, Friend did not manage to snag the wave he needed in the dying minutes of the final.

In the face of tiny 0.5m waves the spray off both surfers’ rails impressed the judges and the heat was full of healthy scores.

Friend was vexed but gracious. “It was a great event, everyone was ripping through the whole week but Deano smoked me so what can I say?” said Friend at the prize giving.

“To come so close and not be able to walk away with the US$25,000 is disappointing, but in saying that placing second is still a great result,” Friend said.

“Dean is such a competitor in the water and he’s as Aussie as they come so it’s great an Australian walked away with the cash in the end,” he said.

As for Bowen, another day another dollar? “I’ve been thinking about it (the prize money) for the last two months” he laughs. “I’m stoked about the money but I want to save it all up and hopefully do something good with it,” he said.

“I was definitely really motivated. I had a bad start this year. I lost second round at Bells and I got knocked in the third round of the world juniors so it’s good to get some form again and get on a roll…the whole goal is to win the junior series and this is going to help me,” said Bowen.

“Those small little right handers…that’s kind of my forte,” said the renowned big wave surfer with a spark his eye. 

Contest in Context

Overall the competition was fierce in a field of over 130 international contestants hungry for the title and cash. But a talented pack of Australians pulled out all the stops to deny the international onslaught, ensuring a particularly Aussie vibe on Australia Day. Out of the four Australian semi-finalists, two were from the Gold Coast: Mitch Crews and Blake Ainsworth. 

Crews: doing the GC proud

The Gold Coasters captured the crowd’s attention with the extra energy they were able to give to the challengingly small conditions. While the surfers were unable to pull off big airs their exhibition of flow and style was commendable.

As the event was forced to relocate to the Spit due to the lack of swell competitors were forced to approach their heats with patience and choice wave selection. Mitch Crews described the event as a “wave catching competition.”

A clear contest highlight was Crews’ quarter final heat against an in form Peterson Crisanto (Brazil).

Needing an 8.5 ride with a minute on the clock, Crews plucked a wave from who knows where and carved a series of powerful turns as the crowd held their breath. The wave chalked up a winning 9.17 and impressed Crews’ fans, including former world champion Barton Lynch who jumped out of his beach seat with a smile wide enough to split a watermelon.

Bowing out in the semi-finals to fellow Queenslander Chris Friend was a clear disappointment for Crews.

“I’m pretty disappointed to have come so far and to get third. But I guess it just makes me hungrier for the next event,” admitted a dismayed Crews.

At the time of printing Crews has the number one position atop the ASP Australasia Junior Men’s ratings holding a 770 point lead over his nearest rival Davey Cathels (Narrabeen, NSW). This is the last year in the junior series and he has his eyes on the big picture.

“I really want to try and win the junior series this year…my main focus is that. But I am going to move into a few WQS’. I have a year to really think about my surfing and work on it and try and improve…I want to get to that level so in a few years time I will be surfing good enough to make the WCT,” said the Currumbin surfer.

How far away is the WCT for Crews? “Who knows, its hard to say, I want to say I’m close but I’ve still got far to go….I’m just going to take it step by step and see”.

“I really want to try my best and do as best as I can not only for myself but for the Gold Coast,” he said. 

Hurley’s Heart of Gold

Bob Hurley recalls the first time he met a professional surfer. It was a very long time ago, at Huntington Beach. Swimming in to the shore to recover his board Hurley saw Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew surfing the shore break. He invited the at the time world champ to surf out the back with the local boys.

Hurley remembers Rabbit saying to him, ‘that’s awesome thanks! But I’m just having a blast with the kids here in the shore break; you know they really energise me’.

Bob and Rabs reminisce

The founder of Hurley International thought about that for years and it really changed his life. He’s thankful for that.

At the press launch Hurley gave Rabbit a replica of the board he used to ride, shaped by Lee Stacey, so that when the waves are small Rabbit can ride it with his kids. Rabbit was chuffed.

The company’s focus is still on junior surfing. Presented by Nike 6.0, the Hurley Burleigh Pro Junior offers a total prize pool of US$50,000. It is twice as much as any other junior contest this year. In claiming the world’s richest junior surfing prize the investment into junior surfing has sparked industry interest.

Bob Hurley hopes the initiative will raise the profile of professional surfing to ensure the respect he thinks it deserves. As junior contenders define the sport for the future Bob Hurley, who flew out from his home in California, says he is happy to “take an active part in an investment towards the future…to make surfing better.”

“These guys are going to decide the sport for the next ten years…junior surfing is it… (The junior surfers) work hard and they deserve a continued elevated experience, elevated prize money,” says the founder of Hurley International.

Young surfers “stimulate us all to imagine what the future could be,” he says at the event’s launch. “We’re really inspired by the kids. We would like to help them with their dream and keep elevating everything…the future is all about the kids right? We just want to be a part of that,” the Californian continues.

It is a lucrative sport. “Surfing globally is a $25 billion business, whereas in the late 80’s it was probably a $1 billion dollar business …where’s all the money going? First priority should be the athletes who are growing your business,” points out Hurley himself.

Having visited the Gold Coast dozens of times the founder of Hurley International has a special regard for Burleigh and describes it as a “home away from home.” It is the first time in ten years that he has been back on the Gold Coast and the Californian was stoked.

“For me to drive up and see that (Hurley) sign on the headland, it’s amazing, really heart warming,” says Hurley.

“I love it (Burleigh Heads), and it hasn’t changed a ton. When you’re sitting over there you’ve gotta be thinking this is one of the best places in the world…right?”

The investment is in line with last year’s landmark decision by Hurley to offer US$100,000 first place prizes for the WQS six-star Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing and the ASP World Tour Hurley Pro.

Hurley boasts record first place prizes in these two WQS events. However, the total prize pool for each is $145,000, which is on par with all but one of the other 27 six-star WQS events (and $110,000 less than the equivalent woman’s WQS, mind). So what it comes down to is the amount Hurley awards specifically to the first place winner.

Keri and Pat

Celebrated Californian surfer Pat O’Connell (you’ve seen him in movies such as The Endless Summer II) is Hurley’s Vice President of sports marketing. He says that scattering the total prize pool through the whole pack of surfers instead of concentrating on the first prize “ultimately breeds a little bit of stagnation, everybody is just cruising because they’re all getting a couple of bucks.”

It makes sense. Who wouldn’t be hungry for a golden carrot?

“Ultimately the money will filter down,” asserts O’Connell.

“But for right now it’s important to put it at the top. Also, it’s like shooting a missile at the rest of the industry saying hey look we’re willing to put some money into the first prize, are you guys willing to step up and really put some more into it?” he asks.

But will the move create a mob of spoilt surfers? Not according to Barton Lynch, 1988 World Champion.

“I won the original pro junior in 1983 and got a trophy,” Lynch says laughing. “I think that if you’re a good surfer, a motivated kid you’re going to want to win whether it’s a trophy or 25 grand…really when push comes to shove,” he affirms.

“The money is going to help evolve their careers, create opportunities, set them up for life… 25 grand is a down payment on a house, mate. I think it’s a fantastic thing to do,” says Lynch.

“I think that a lot of us feel that the surfers more than anyone have been the underpaid element of the business…they are the whole culture of the business and it’s nice to see Hurley elevate it to the level it should be,” continues Lynch.

Economics aside, Lynch’s child like enthusiasm for the surfing is obvious. “I watch the aerial moves and I think it’s such a bummer that I’m never ever going to feel that! I’m never going to be able to actually experience it…it must just feel so incredible …to fly through the air and land clean into another turn!” he laughs.

Calling the shots with Glen Elliot

An undercover odys..sea

Mmm...Judge Judy?

Can you tell me a bit about how/why you got into judging – the beginning, the grass roots of it…in other words, your journey…

I actually started Judging back in 1981 when it was compulsory for competitors to judge. That was at the QLD Junior Titles at D-bah. I managed to get 2^nd over the 3 rounds of competition and also took out the Best Judge award. I remember Bushy Mitchell saying to me that he wanted me to concentrate on my surfing at the Australian Junior titles and not to worry about judging……that’s probably the only advice that I haven’t taken seriously from Bushy.

From then on I was offered a few events here and there and I really enjoyed it. I still competed at the club and regional level, but I knew I could contribute positively to the sport and I loved by being involved in the events at the judging level. I was lucky in a way, because the mid eighties were when competitions became much more professional and my timing was perfect. The QPSA was formed after Rabbit retired from International competition and these events were the forerunner to the Australian Championship Circuit, these competitions were the breeding ground for the new bunch of Aussie surfers and the perfect opportunity for me to gain very important experience. This led to more opportunities with the ASP and the chance to travel and judge at the highest levels all around the world.

 In 1998, I took over the role of the ASP Australasian Head Judge which was the culmination of all the hard work and preparation over all those years. Around that time, I realised that there was no real quality judging accreditation course and I started to research and write the current Judging manual and started to develop interactive judging resources that would support key learning outcomes and offer an enjoyable experience for course participants and more importantly establish a proper judging development pathway.

 This has been a passion of mine ever since and now this course has been endorsed by the Australian Sports Commission and the International Surfing Association and is widely recognised throughout the surfing world as the only judging accreditation course available. I am now working with Surfing Australia and the ISA to continue with the policy of developing International educational opportunities and to help the growth of surfing worldwide. We currently have 18 countries that are our International partners in judging development and regularly conduct our courses in 6 different languages.

It is now being realised around the world that the education and development of our judges and officials has to be continuous for the sport to develop and to have dynamic and healthy future.

So, you’ve judged for almost 30 years, and have been the ASP Australasian Head Judge for 12 years? It is a lot of experience clearly, and also a long time in the same role with ASP. In a sense you are the man making the calls and calling the shots not only for the individuals but for the direction in which surfing judging is heading…Are the policy decisions made collaboratively?

Yes, I have been judging for 30 years…with the last 25 being as a semi to full time professional. I have held the role of ASP Australasian HJ for the last 12 years. ASP Australasia is only one of seven ASP regions. Each region has a HJ some have two.The main directions are collaborative, between a lot of ASP judges and the judges committee. I am not steering the ship…at the ASP level. Please do not confuse the ASP and ISA. My role with ASP is a little different to my role with the ISA. However, I am the only one that has developed a fully endorsed worldwide global development structure that is endorsed only by the ISA (International Surfing Association) and the Australian Sports commission and has 18 countries supporting this structure at this time and growing every year. The ASP is a business operating on making a profit and not interested in development. The ISA is the Olympic committee recognised world governing body of surfing which has 56 member countries and their ideals are to develop and broaden the participation of surfing worldwide. These are my ideals too, but I need the ASP events to supplement my income.

Do you consider it a good career path in the surfing industry…why? What are some of the opportunities you have had or that one might look forward to…

The career development pathways are now in place and if you show the necessary aptitude and attitude, you can get to the top.

This is more apparent here in Queensland than anywhere because of the quality of the development programs and events we have to hone quality judging skills. Over the last 10 years we have had several judges reach the top levels of judging and there are currently 3 young surfers that come from this area that are Australian WCT travelling judges.

It is a great opportunity to travel and work in some of the most exotic locations in the world. I suppose it could be seen as the next best thing to being a pro surfer, but to tell you the truth, our job is the hardest job in the contest and can be mentally and physically draining not to mention frustrating. Having to sit and watch the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves is like watching the sickest surfing video and not being able to go surfing after it.

We do get a chance to surf before and after the competition but, usually, you are surfing with the pro surfers that are practicing for the event. There are not a lot of waves left after the pro’s have had their share.

In saying all of this I feel very fortunate to have travelled and visited every continent in the world, so many countries and good times. I have met some of the most amazing people and have made many friends; the entire experience is definitely life changing.

What are some of the basic credentials a person might need if they wanted to pursue a career in judging…

Well if I had advice to give, it would be, do the International Judging and Officiating course…..learn the basics of professional judging and get out there and give back to the sport. Judge as many events as possible, it doesn’t matter how small the event is, experience is everything.

 I still Head Judge and judge local grommet events and up to world title events. I am not concerned with ego or the money side, I just see every event is as important as the next one and every contest needs properly trained judges with a professional attitude. 
 
What are some of the ups and downs of judging that you have personally encountered? Nightmare parents or club captains?

Passion drives this sport…and I understand this passion. The judges have to make tough calls and some parents, coaches and surfers are going to disagree sometimes. This is just a part of subjective judging and the most difficult part of our sport. It is a matter of opinion, sometimes your opinion will differ from mine or the judges.

Everyone needs to realise that as a subjectively judged sport, surfing is the hardest by far. We have so many variables that affect the scale and scores. Conditions change, the difference in wave quality, different age groups and there are several more considerations. We do not have a level playing field or a continuous wave machine that sends the same amount and quality of waves in the 20 minutes of a heat.

 Our sport is at the mercy of Mother Nature and therein lays the beauty of it.

 I do have a very strong point to make here; I believe if you have not been educated in the principles and process of professional judging you really shouldn’t make calls on scores, results and interference situations. You should trust in the abilities of the eight unbiased, accredited and experienced individuals that are watching every wave from the start of the first heat till the siren goes at the end of the day.

I would like to think that we get it right 99% of the time….how-ever, we are human and mistakes are going to happen.

Can you tell us about a tough call you have had to make?

Tough calls happen, and I consider every score where a surfer just misses out on getting through the heat, or every interference call that causes a surfer to lose, these are all tough calls but, none of these calls is more important than another. Unfortunately there are rules and sometimes the score or call might not go your way, there is nothing personal about this.

Quite often the passion of some individuals gets in the way of educated and unbiased reasoning from the judges.

Any highlights in your career so far?

Of course the travel, surfing and seeing the world is the obvious one, but I would have to say that the main highlight so far, would have to be, being involved with the future development of the sport, whether that is guiding and teaching the next generation of sports officials or, coming up with new directions that will benefit this development and ultimately the sport.

 I also would like to think, in a small way, I have had a small role to play with the formulative years of some of the sports’ best surfers…Willsy, Mick, Joel, Deano, Bottle, Bede, Chelsea and Steph.

I have Head judged 5 QLD based world champions through their first years of competitions and when they were learning their strategies, skills and professionalism.

 I get a buzz out of that fact, but I am sure most of them would say….who?? and, in a way, I prefer it to be that way…..undercover.

The region of South East QLD and Northern NSW has something really special…… and has not only has seen some of the most admired and influential surfers in the world past and present but, also has some of the best judges, administrators and photographers and their contributions have been instrumental to the development of our sport.

 We have the best breeding ground in the world and this reflects in every aspect of surfing.

What is your opinion of the new ASP ranking format and criteria?

I think it is a positive step forward to have a one world ranking. I really like the idea that the top 45 will now be open to any in form surfer. If the surfer is good enough and is in form on the WQS why shouldn’t they challenge for the exclusive and elusive places in the WCT. This alone will keep everyone on their toes and push the boundaries. We will see some very exciting results and surfing over the next few months because of this.

The new criteria from the ASP has not changed too much from what we have been using. The key words and phrases are the same or similar. Promoting these key words by writing them in point form will make it much easier for the general public to understand. I see it as a good approach to educating the public and an effort to reach a larger audience.

 In regards to the new phrasing of the judging criteria it has been a successful method for the International Judging course for several years now, and has been very successful in teaching the most important aspects of the Judging criteria.
Do you think that judging evolves as a response to the progress of surfing itself or is it the other way round (or a combination)?

This is a great question….the sport cannot evolve and progress without the parallel development of the judges and criteria. We have had 3 criteria changes in the last 10 years and that is a direct response to the performance level of the elite surfers of our sport.

It is a definite combination of both and we should never lose sight of this fact or we run the risk of stagnating and losing momentum.

              
 What do you think makes a good judge?

Experience and training are the most important. All of the top judges are pretty good surfers in their own right and this ability gives us the understanding of the degree of difficulty of most manoeuvres. I think this is important at the top level, but in saying this you do not need to be an ex-pro surfer or rip your local beachie to be an excellent judge. You must be able to concentrate, compare and recall individual scores and rides and apply all the basics of professional judging for long periods of time. If I had to nail down one trait that makes a good judge…..that would be MEMORY. If you can’t remember the first wave of the heat and the current highest wave of the heat or day, you cannot compare the performance levels.

A good judge must; Evaluate the performance of the each surfer on every wave. Compare every wave to one another and separate the scores clearly on your score sheet. This is the first and most basic principle of quality judging.
 
What does the 2010 calendar have in store for you?

More contests, more seminars and accreditation courses and a fair bit of travel in between.

 I enjoy it all, but I mostly enjoy my time at home these days with family and friends, the thought of coming home can be more exciting than leaving for another contest in an exotic location.

That might sound crazy….but the best journey and the culmination of an odyssey is always…”the way home”.