SAND returns vibe to Greenmount beach

By Keri Algar

making waves, smiles, laughter, energy...that's SAND for ya!

A group of keyed up kids from Camp Quality are gearing up for their second learn to surf day this year.

Charity champions Surfers Against Nature’s Destruction (SAND) is rallying support from the surf community to bring the excitement and joy of surfing to an eager bunch of kids with cancer.

It follows SAND’s massively successful learn to surf day held earlier this year where a swag of pro surfers including Kelly Slater, Steph Gilmore, Rasta and Rabbit Bartholomew jumped in the water to help the kids have the time of their lives.

The volunteers were as wrapped as the kids.

Luke Munro was so stoked on the day he said he “wished every surf could be this fun”.

Mason Marshall was frothing to his Dad on the car trip back to Currumbin.

“I think Rasta had too much lemonade before the surf because he was high fiving me, always telling me what a great wave I had, he just didn’t stop talking,” said Mason, whose 11 year old brother Morgan, has leukaemia.

The Marshall parents were just as wrapped.

“Days like these are not only good for the diagnosed children and their siblings, the Mums and Dads also get a great hit of much needed feel good and spirit lifting,” said Scott Marshall.

“If we could put the day in a bottle and serve it up to the kids daily, they’d be better in no time,” Scott adds, giving credence to the idea, and Camp Quality’s motto, that laughter is the best medicine.

Jamo and the crew from Walk on Water will be generously supplying boards and lessons on Thursday 30 September 2010, from 1.30pm – 4.30pm at Greenmount beach.

SAND and Camp Quality would like to extend the invitation to any surfer out there who’d like to make a massive difference to the kids.

Call Camp Quality’s Phil on 0402 526 589, or Kat on 0401 459 681.

Or Paul Botica of SAND on 0407 550 410.

I’m having wet dreams

Stuck in traffic….in a rush…breathing fumes….what? Fortunately dreams are sweet, salty surfing sessions.

I think this might be one of Sean Scotts snaps at Burleigh, of course.

Love Denis, Love Burleigh, Love Surf

Rabbit Roast

Keri Algar

Rabbit

“What about the time when…,”says Paul Hallas (Hot Stuff Surfboards) to Rabbit, he trails off and cracks up laughing. “Yeah, yeah, but what about that time at Bells…remember when….,” replies a grinning Rabbit.

The Rabbit Roast, organised by ASL and held at Point Break Restaurant on Friday 27 May, was a time to celebrate the life and character of Australia’s most influential surfer, and the original Cooly kid, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew.

Hosted by Phil Jarratt and with a selection of speakers including Nick Carroll and Simon Anderson the afternoon was about basting, roasting and picking apart the life of this much loved surfer.

The conversation was kick started by Phil Jarratt who described Rabbit as a “sloppy dressed, emotionally charged, attention seeker.” The roast was on. (Though after a few bevvies, Jarratt had declared Rabbit to be “wonderful, charmed and eloquent.”)

Nick Carroll reminded the crowd that during its earliest years when competitive surfing was a fledgling affair, it was Rabbit who stoked the fires with the spirit any surfer would recognise. “He rolled the dice on surfing without any evidence it could eventuate to anything…with nothing else but his gut instinct to guide him. As surfers, at some point, we’ve all done that,” said Carroll.

Carroll also had a couple of typically hilarious stories to tell from the vault. “If anyone knows a way out of the Pink Cadillac (nightclub) in the middle of the night with the cops behind us, Rabbit can. He’s a survivor,” said Carroll.

Simon Anderson made a few witty comments and summed up Rabbit’s character succinctly saying “he’s out-there, outgoing and upfront.”

The occasion inspired the recollection of many accomplishments. But the plucky surfer’s greatest achievement for the surfing community was best expressed by Shaun Thomson. “We wanted respect for surfers, and because of you, we got it,” said Thomson.

SAND: Surfing for LIFE

Keri Algar

Kirra Murphy having a blast with Rabbit

The local surf community went all out on April 18^th for SAND’s (Surfers Against Nature’s Destruction) learn to surf day for over 20 kids with cancer and their families from Camp Quality.

Greenmount provided the perfect playground for the kids to be pushed onto waves and it was all hands on deck with what turned out to be a start studded affair.

Kelly Slater, Steph Gilmore, Rasta, Luke Munro, Luke Egan, Rabbit, Wayne Dean, iron woman Hayley Bateup and stand up paddler Jamie Mitchell joined ranks with the SAND volunteers crew to happily commandeer the sheltered end of the beach. The kids had the time of their lives and wiping out never looked like so much fun!

“We had a ball. There was an unbelievable vibe and enthusiasm in the water… I wish every surf could be this fun,” said Luke Munro.

Winning smiles from Safron and Steph

The kids were in varying levels of cancer treatment and health, with some little ones looking particularly frail. But as the SAND crew supported their efforts in the water the laughter was non-stop and it was clear that the kids were feeling on top of the world.

 The kids weren’t the only ones frothing; SAND’s volunteers were just as stoked. Mason Marshall was buzzing off of Rasta.

“I think Rasta had too much lemonade before the surf because he was high fiving me, always telling me what a great wave I had, just didn’t stop talking,” said Mason, whose 11 year old brother Morgan, has leukaemia.

Their parents were equally wrapped.

“Days like these are not only good for the diagnosed children and their siblings, the Mums and Dads also get a great hit of much needed feel good and spirit lifting,” said Scott Marshall.

Rasta's vibe

“If we could put the day in a bottle and serve it up to the kids daily, they’d be better in no time,” Scott adds, giving credence to the idea, and Camp Quality’s motto, that laughter is the best medicine.

“What this will do for their spirits and minds is priceless. This happiness grows momentum and their smiles get bigger every time they think of it,” said Scott.

SAND handed over a cheque to Camp Quality for $8,500 raised at the Denis Callinan Memorial Golf Day in January. SAND has collectively donated over $49,000 for Camp Quality over the last four years.

A massive thanks goes out to all people who made the beautiful day possible: Walk on Water surf school who donated time, boards and instructors on a Sunday, the surfers, SAND Sippas, friends and supporters who continually give so much in the spirit of Denis Callinan.

Some beach fun before the water

Yeaow!

Steph

SAND crew H and Rabs

Star studded...mmm, or star stud?

WHAT A DAY!

Keri, Wayne and Luke

Aloha Charity Golf Day

Denis Callinan Aloha Charity Golf Day

By Keri Algar

Held on the day of Denis Callinan’s passing one year ago, the 16th January 2009 saw the inaugural memorial golf day of our Surfing Saint. Held at the beautiful Robina Woods Golf Course, the Aloha Charity event run by Surfers Against Natures Destruction raised over $5000 for Camp Quality.

We love it!

Blessed with a spectacularly sunny day, over 80 of Denis’ mates all dressed in Hawaiian shirts, teed off for 18 holes of Ambrose golf. A few beers and Bundys on the course and some winning shots (and gin shots) later, the teams trickled into the club rooms for a classic Aussie BBQ and refreshments. While a few teams brought in exceptional score cards it looked like a lot of players were surfers first, golfers second (sorry boys, ha ha)! But the day clearly wasn’t about competition, as it was a great occasion to get everyone together in remembrance of their great mate Denis. It was enough to bring a winning smile to everyone’s face.

A stellar performance by the Gold Coast Titans Team saw them take first place. Runners up included Brian Rogers, Stephen O’Keefe, Joe Walsh and Rob Vold. Coming in third was the Elephant Rock team. Nearest to the pin was won by Tony McDonald, Geoff Smith, Luke Munro and Scott Webber. And Glen Rawlings blitzed us all with the worst player award. Good on ya mate. Super selections of prizes were generously donated by Industry Surf, Billabong, Far-King Wax, KPMG Accountants, Elephant Rock, Beach Shack, Live Sunglasses, Lloyd Auctions, Peers Property, Rhythm, Rip Curl and Surfing Life. One lucky guy won the raffle prize of a holiday in Samoa through Atoll Travel and the highest bid in the auction went to Crys-kai Carroll who walked away with a finely crafted and stunningly spray painted DHD board.

In line with Denis’ approach to SAND is SAS (Surfer’s Against Sewage). Founder of SAS, Chris Harris made a great speech about how surfers in the UK got together to formulate plans to stop untreated effluent flowing into the sea around the British coastline.

Always smiling

Rabbit shared his words about Denis just prior to tee-off. Anne Rebgetz was there along with his brother Mark (both spoke about Denis), as well as Denis’ mum Joyce Callinan and several other Rebgetz family members. There was a lighted candle on the table to symbolize Denis’ presence.

It was heartwarming to see Denis’ aloha spirit still so present in the many lives of those he touched. He was an endearingly positive person and his characteristic warmth and light was in the face of all his friends and family.

A massive thanks goes out to the SAND Sippers, especially Paul Botica and Mike Snee for making the day the success it was and keeping the ball rolling with charity events. Paul summed it up saying, “There was a fantastic vibe, seeing everyone turn out in true Denis spirit with their Hawaiian shirts. It’s great to see people looking forward to next year’s memorial for SAND and Denis”.

Forever memorable

It was unreal to see everyone bigheartedly empty their wallets as a true testament to Denis’ charitable nature. He would be so stoked, as will the kids at Camp Quality. We love you Denis!