Mollymook Surf Beach
Mollymook beach has been proclaimed “one of the finest beaches on the entire east coast of Australia”. Enjoy a variety of water activities.
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Today we witnessed the best against the best at Crescent Heads in their annual long board competition. Clubs represented included: Burleigh Heads Long Board Club, Noosa Qld., Manly, Old Bar, Skenes Creek Vic., Shellharbour, Coffs Harbour, Mermaid Beach Qld. to name a few. One competitor who was runner-up in the Open Male category had 2 or 3 weeks earlier surfed the infamous ‘Shipstern Bluff’, the notorious surfing slab of Tasmania that plays host to the best big wave surfers in the world.
Final events postponed from yesterday saw a 6.20 am start today. The finals ran continuously at 20 minute intervals. The commentator mentioned that in surf board competition the judging is subjective. That explanation helped me understand why some whom I thought were brilliant were placed 2nd rather than first. Thankfully there was no ‘sheep station’ at stake for the winner.
The pics below are just a sample of finalist and winners this morning.
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Click on pics to enlarge throughout
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Tom Bennett, Grandson of Barry Bennett Surf Boards representing the Manly Long Boarders
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Day 3: A beautiful Autumn day, blue sky and no wind throughout the morning albeit the surf was again small. However all competitors were contesting these events in similar conditions. All afternoon finals were postponed until tomorrow Sunday with the first event scheduled for 6.20 am. It was a challenge this morning taking pics looking into the sun and glare off the water. So tomorrow’s finals will be somewhat similar for photography, we are just hoping the surf is more suitable for the finals for all age groups.
Speaking to Tom Bennett this morning he reminded me that his Dad Greg was getting married in Hawaii this weekend. Greg and Tom use to stay at Mollymook Beach Waterfront and Beach View during Tom’s teenage years. I met Greg’s partner at Glenelg last November and again in March at the Aussie Surf Championships. A lovely lady and we wish them all the best. I also had the chance to meet up with some of the youngsters in the large contingent of surfers up from the Manly Long Boarders club. They featured in yesterday’s Day 2 post.
Finals throughout Sunday morning and the presentation following at the Crescent Heads Country Club. (A big day)
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Click on pics to enlarge throughout
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Day 2 of the long board comp. began just after sunrise at 7.00 am and once again continued uninterrupted throughout the day till 4.00 pm. The contestants who had travelled from up and down the NSW coast as well as from Qld. and Victoria were to experience relatively flat surf conditions that deteriorated throughout the day as a slight nor-east wind prevailed.
Nonetheless full marks to the contestants who persevered and demonstrated their surfing skills albeit in poor conditions.
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Click on pics to enlarge throughout
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Day 1: Today saw approx 25 heats, commencing at 7.00 am and running none-stop through to 4.20 pm with each given 20 minutes / heat with 6 entrants in each heat. That relates to 150 contestants of the approx. 260 entries in the 2019 Annual Crescent Heads long board comp. with 3 from each heat progressing through to the next round.
The sun shone, there was negligible wind however the surf was quite small. Nonetheless today was all about the elderly, if I may use that term. The majority of heats were for the 55 + age group, the 60+, 65+, 70+ and 75+ age groups other than a few heats of lower and open age groups.
One could not help but marvel at today’s participants. It was mind boggling to see so many ‘elderly’ surfers do what they have done throughout their life, ride surf boards. Although their age was obvious, they were fit and demonstrated some exceptional skill. Those competing in the over 75 age group could possibly have some surfers around 80 or even 80+. The camaraderie was amazing. I even witness grand-children barracking for grand-parents.
The following are just a small selection of over 1000 pics taken today. When looking at the pics, the surfers demonstrated great skill but had no responsibility for the small surf they inherited.
Click on pics to enlarge throughout
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Rod Austin OAM (Pic credit: Kim M.)
The Great Maestro – Raymondo (Pic credit: John L.)
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Queens Birthday honours, an ‘Order of Australia’ medal was bestowed on Mollymook Surf Club President Rodney Austin this past Monday. Rod has performed beach patrols for 50 years having joined the club in 1967. Word has it that he has never missed a patrol, even when serving ‘National Service’ he was able to make it back to Mollymook to fulfil his beach obligations.
The Great Maestro – ‘Raymondo’ played to a packed house this past Monday afternoon at the ‘Star Entertainment’ centre. It is understood guests present were from afar a field as Balmoral in Sydney and the nations capital Canberra, who all enjoyed this distinguished violinist playing some Irish classics.
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Author: Lisa-ann Gershwin, Research scientist, CSIRO (Article courtesy of Graeme C. who thought the swimmers may be interested)
Blue bottle in the water
Blue bottle washed up on Mollymook Beach
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Blue bottles have been washing up on our coastal beaches by the bucket loads recently. With their annual arrival, many questions and myths about these creatures seem to be drifting around as well.
What exactly are blue bottles? Do you really pee on their stings? How do you keep a day at the beach from turning into a real pain?
Mollymook BeachMollymook Beach is located on the NSW South Coast some 3 1/2 hours drive south of Sydney. It is a tourist “hot spot” with a recent competition undertaken by Wotif.com resulting in the NSW South Coast beaches being the most popular holiday destination.
Wotif conducted a “Battle of the Beaches” competition asking people nominate the best beaches. The NSW South Coast beaches beat eastern Victoria, the Queensland sunshine coast, Thailand and Sydney in the lead up to the finals. In the final the NSW South Coast was victorious over the Queensland Gold Coast.
Mollymook has been a key beach destination for many visitors over the years. It was previously awarded the “Cleanest beach” award and is patrolled by the Mollymook Surf Club throughout the October to April period.
It offers excellent Mollymook beach accommodation facilities for the tourist and the area is well known for its golf course and excellent range of quality restaurants.
Mollymook Beach Wedding
Mollymook Beach Accommodation
Mollymook Beach Patrol
Mollymook Beach Dolphins