Victorian boardrider clubs get a free round at URBNSURF

Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

Next month, URBNSURF open their first Australian wavepool at Tullamarine and they've showered Victorian boardriders clubs with love.

Starting next year, every boardriders club in the state is entitled to hold a club round in the tub. The arrangement was forged between URBNSURF and Surfing Victoria, with the offer extending for at least three years.

"We've been working with URBNSURF for a year or two," said Adam Robertson, "and we really like the way they've been supporting grassroots surfing here."

Along with club rounds, Robbo and Surfing Vic are planning to hold a state level contest in the tub next year. When Swellnet called, Robbo was still unsure about the format to be used. 

"That's something we're working through with URBNSURF right now," said Robbo. "We're figuring out the best way to run a contest; to make it fair, and also to make it exciting."

Mitch Crews (URBNSURF/Stu Gibson)

Good decisions require good research, and to date Robbo reckons he's put in eight or nine days of field testing. And although an ideal format is yet to be decided on he knows what works best under his feet.

"I usually ride a 6'1" by 19"," explains Robbo, "but the best board I've ridden in the wavepool is one of Will Webber's and it was 5'10" x 20""

"Similar volume, around 33 litres, but shorter and wider."

And construction? "EPS. Just for reaction time," says Robbo, who by way of comparison stands 5'10" tall and weighs 90s kegs.

Since the big reveal last month, Robbo said the response from the Victorian surfing community has been overwhelming. Club presidents will be glad to hear that, as it means there'll be at least one comp next year where there'll be no shortage of help to put up the tent and the scoring system.

Comments

kneepete Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 02:12 pm new

Anyone know how much it costs to register a club here in Vic?

Sprout Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 03:01 pm new

Can I register one from QLD with a member base of 1?

benjis babe Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 05:35 am new

make that 2

Toppa Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 02:20 pm new

Kneepete if you're a kneelo then that would make two of us in the club!

kneepete Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 03:12 pm new

Yeah kneelo, and loving the look of that wave! You go the left Toppa and I'll go the right, then we'll swap.

Later we'll both crown ourselves winners.

Toppa Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 06:41 pm new

Awesome mate sounds bloody good.

mr mick Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 06:48 pm new

Aawww, brings a tear to my eye & a lump in my throat..... Shucks!

bipola Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 03:53 pm new

well at least we are all thinking the same thing and i am stoked for the vic. surf clubs getting to hold comp. there

Rick Snowden Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 04:37 pm new

Very interested to hear what kind of format they run for this considering the amount of wave 'designs' on hand. Airs vs tubes vs turns etc.

indo-dreaming Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 06:06 pm new

Comps with the best surfers in the world in Kellys pool suck, imagine how boring this comp would be.

Rick Snowden Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 08:05 am new

S-turns-on-knee-high-reforms boring? Most boardriders comps are a drag to watch, at least there'd be more opportunities presented. Particularly if they randomise the formula somehow.
(Not saying they won't also be boring after the honeymoon...)

freeride76 Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 08:57 am new

surely they won't be broadcast?

or will they charge general admission to watch live?

billythekid Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 06:17 pm new

Completely boring

Wilber1970 Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 07:16 pm new

Board is 5'10 x 20 x 2 5/8 @ 33 litres. Pretty much my Live Wire model that Morgan Cibilic rides but with a lower nose entry. Also features a late wing and swallow. EPS seam to be good in the pool too.

goofyfoot Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 09:16 pm new

"EPS, just for reaction time"

Can someone explain what this means.

And would a middle of the road surfer like myself notice such things?

Wilber1970 Friday, 6 Dec 2019 at 09:45 pm new

Yeah I reckon you would. The pool I assume, is fresh water, thus not as buoyant as the ocean. Epoxy boards have always been the go to construction for smaller waves or quick reaction surfing. Trust in Robbo.

freeride76 Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 08:58 am new

and yet most of the pros went back to PU/PE for Kelly's pool.

Wilber1970 Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 12:53 pm new

Yeah, when we did the initial testing behind the trawler,it was good to have the momentum of PU construction

truebluebasher Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 01:03 pm new

OZ wave pool clubs + comps history is exclusive to #1 swellnet.

2001 Vic groms been riding boards in wave pools near on 20 years.

2008 Darwin Wavepool allows boards
https://inspiringtravellers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_1194-750…
2011 Dreamworld Billabong Flow League... put a cracker under SA.
https://picsaipan.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/asianflowseries_poster-15…
2012 SA Vegemite Groms soon hit back at Dreamworld + [ WavePools 4 SurfRage ]
https://www.coastalwatch.com/surfing/11133/vegemite-surfgroms-makes-a-s…
2012 Surfing Australia Vegemite Groms then hit Darwin wave Pool
https://www.surfparkcentral.com/the-art-of-the-saltless-surf-school-les…
2013 SLSA Nippers @ Wet'n'Wild WavePool again put a cracker up SA's Bum

2015 SLSA take on Surf School Darwin
https://www.facebook.com/darwinwaterfront/posts/kids-can-learn-to-surf-…
2015 Vic Rip Curl Flow (Pro Bells runner up surfs the cross flow promo)
https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/media-releases/tea…
https://ru-clip.net/video/tE3QBOnW8bc/oz-flow-comp-2015-msac-in-melbour…
2016 Surfing NSW Surf School finally hit Sydney Wave Pool
https://www.learntosurf.com/the-beach-boys/
2019 WA Aloha WSL Pro Taj...
https://www.communitynews.com.au/joondalup-times/sport/joondalup-taj-bu…
2019 WA -Billabong Aloha Surfing Titles (Non SA) attracts 500 entrants...What to do?
https://www.facebook.com/events/1155345511320455/

As with Sydney/Darwin wavepools ...URBNSURF also plans for a SLSC
URBNSURF (Hybrid) Wavegarden Surf Academy - Lifeguard/Surf Coach-Careers..
https://adventureparcsnowdonia.com/2018/08/03/our-community-kids-surf-c…

Wave pool operators seek Govt skill set & handouts to milk for upgrades.
Nipper parents must supervise + extra volunteer = (3x season passes min.)

brutus Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 05:37 am new

Yes TB , I think this a perfect place for the Board riders clubs to hold contests , as they won't have to take our surf spots for their weekend comps...good win all around!

aaronwithadoublea Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 08:51 am new

Might see the revamp of METRO boardriders. 100% Melbourne based club that ruffled the feathers of coastal clubs back in the day.

simba Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 09:06 am new

Whats the pool floor made from....is it concrete ?

udo Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 09:11 am new

Concrete it is

truebluebasher Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 01:18 pm new

Early 1970's- Big Surf saw first Oz winner of worldly wave pool comps.

1997 Kelly surfed & won ASP Disney's Typhoon Lagoon (Equal sex / prize comp)
Slater (#1Man) vs (#1Woman) Andersen (Surf off was carefully seeded out as #1/ #2)
Forbidden footage of Pirate Kelly invading a Rogue Pool


So it's not a medical condition!
(Note: Leg ropes prohibited in Disney wave pool ASP Comp)

Kelly along with Steph are WSL #1 megaphones for Olympic Wave Pool Comps.

So how is it that all other WSL surfers jump into the first & any wave pool they see.
Yet 2 biggest Olympic wave pool spruikers Kelly & Steph avoid every other wave pool.
Might well be that Steph has only ever surfed Kelly's wave pool & is bound to do so!

Team USA train at Waco +Team Oz now train at Tulla Tub.(Not official?)
No other WSL surfers wish to train in (fake) WSL Olympic Qualifying wave Pool

(fake): IOC refused to sanction wave pools for 'Olympic competition'.
WSL Freshwater pool results can't rightfully count for 2019 Olympic Qualifying Tally!

NOC don't reward team training boycotts as Olympic Spirit when picking teams.
Full representative participation hovers across any / all Olympic conditions.
A protest by a 3rd placed Athlete could easily remove non participant team players.
Only the sickest note with extra rubbery stamps would save our dynamic duo!

[NEWS] #1 wave pool advocates get cut from Olympic Teams for fear of wave pools.

Long way round to ask: When does Queen Steph get her Open wave pool Licence?

truebluebasher Saturday, 7 Dec 2019 at 03:18 pm new

[Disclaimer] tbb was a secretary of a boardriders club...so will have a crack at this!

Whole world knows, how not to hold a wave pool contest.
Come see Amazing Surfers from everywhere but here..[ NO LOCALS PLEASE]

Because if you do that...you then cop shit from locals & World surf community forever!
Wave Garden did that at Snowndonia & know never to be so rude ever again.

State Boardriders crash local's sticker peeling session smacks of sheer desperation.

Secretary's tips for a normal & nice Wave Pool Comp

URBNSURF need to 1st establish a Boardriders Club with Surfing Victoria. (Tick!)
'Tullatubbies' then need Sponsors Rip Curl -Wetties + MF -Softies. (Tick & Tick!)
A Resident Pro to boycott local derbies (#1 Mick is Sick) #2 Owen or #3 Taj. (Tick)
Local Liberal Pollie Branded Beer Tent + Hand outs (You don't get to say no!)
Have all members purchase a season Pass + sign this PFAS waiver (Tick & Tick!)

With all that boring paperwork done!

Now post Invites to Vic Clubs for event of the year...The Tullatubbies Wave Pool Party
Free wave for everyone signing petition for Club's inclusion into Big League.(Tick!)
Now you can trade private pool wave sessions in order to Host the State Titles.

Ok! So tbb is oldschool...but at least give the Moonee Ponds Freckled Duck a bash!

Pres' Stu motioned "Tullatubbies" (Sec' tbb seconded...winning name for the Club)

cuddlypandasbc Sunday, 8 Dec 2019 at 12:15 pm new

The Cuddly Pandas Boardriding Club is pleased with this news and is awaiting our official invitation.

Sou-Wester Monday, 9 Dec 2019 at 02:48 pm new

Stoked to get a shot at the Tulla Tub thru my local boardriders. Bit concerned there'll be an influx of clowns signing up just so they can get a free bath. Would like to see any newbie's involvement in a minimum number of local events before getting a seat on the bus north.

Sou-Wester Monday, 9 Dec 2019 at 02:51 pm new

Better still - you only qualify if you were a paid up member this year (2019). That'll keep the opportunists in their box. If they sign up for 2020 they can have a crack the year after! You listening Robbo?

dandob Monday, 9 Dec 2019 at 03:45 pm new

As I understand it, this doesn't include Victorian bodyboarding clubs, despite being fully paying members of Surfing Victoria. Some animals are more equal than others....

truebluebasher Wednesday, 11 Dec 2019 at 03:16 am new

Basherz pulled out some plugs for brother Boogz...

URBNSURF boogerz

13 Nov 2019 Dion Agius

Mid/ Nov 2019 Justin Kirkpatrick
https://gramho.com/explore-hashtag/gonebodyboarding

URBNSURF Hire/Sell "Hydro" Bodyboards
(Lagoon Supply Co).
https://www.eglobaltravelmedia.com.au/urbnsurf-partners-with-leading-aus…

Wave Pool Mag: 'Intermediate Zone'.
Is for Bodyboards to muck around & have fun!
https://wavepoolmag.com/12-15-expert-waves-per-surfer-per-hour-at-full-…

URBNSURF caters for Wade/Swim/Basherz/Boogerz even SUPs (Doesn't say how?)

Vic Local Monday, 9 Dec 2019 at 04:12 pm new

Dear Urbnsurf, please host an inter-club comp between the Warrililly Boardriders and the Armstrong Creek BC.
Those fuckers have been clogging up the Winki and Bells lineup for the last 5 years, and one weekend of respite would be greatly appreciated.