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Roisin Carolan has qualified for the World Surf League longboard tour that includes contests in El Salvador, California and Australia’s Bells beach.
Roisin, a member of the Byron Bay Malibu Club, took enough qualifying points at a contest at Manly in early May 2023 to get onto the world tour as a wildcard.
The Manly contest was won by Tully White (Sydney), who will also represent Australia on the WST.
Photo Gary McEvoy
The 42nd Byron Bay Malibu Club Single Fin Classic was held on the 29th and 30th of April 2023. We had a great turnout with well over 100 entries in divisions from Future Legends who are 12 and under up to over 70’s.
The conditions were tricky with a lot of current and wind but we had plenty of swell and some great waves if you could find them.
A lovely night at Byron Bowlo on Saturday evening. Brett Munro was awarded life membership in acknowledgement of his wonderful support of the club and in particular the Malibu Classic. Ron won the competitor's board.
Thanks to the Soren Carlbergg Quartet for the fine music and Gary for the guest appearance on vocals.
The Junior Girls put on a great display at the Classic. Daniela, Larita, Mahli, Indi, Tilly and Marley surfed with grace and style in tricky conditions. Daniela took out first place with Mahli and Larita not far behind for second and third. Plenty of proud parent moments. Remarkable to have another generation of the Hall and Pendergast family surfing in the Malibu Classic 🏄🏻♀️
The Junior Boys were high energy. More waves were caught in this final than any other. Despite the exuberance of youth there was careful wave selection and great respect shown to their fellow surfers. Well done to Sol, Eden, Fin, Lennix, Ryder, Chase and Jem. Ryder took out first place, and Lennix and Fin were second and third respectively. Hopefully, we will see these young longboarders back next year.
Over 70’s the elder statesmen of longboarding. All of these surfers have surfed with each other over many decades both here and overseas. They are gentlemen in and out of the water. Eric, Bob, Jim, John, Soren, Graham, Ron, Dennis, George and last but not least Warwick. Old school names with old school style. Hopefully we will all age gracefully like these surfers. It is almost a shame to say who comes first. It might sound like a cliche but they are all winners. For the record Eric caused a major upset by winning! Bob was not far behind for a second. Warwick was third. Graham all the way from NZ was fourth and Jim and Ron battled for fifth and sixth respectively. Well done gents 👏👏👏👏
The Men’s Over 60’s did not disappoint. Classy surfing from Steve, Mike, Ronnie, Big Mick, Brett and Wally. To the total surprise of everyone Mr Pimm took out first place with Steve runner up, and Wally came in third. Mick, Brett and Ronnie shared the spoils. Once again a big shout out to Brett for the ongoing support of the Classic and the beautiful boards over many years. Your life membership is well deserved and a small token in the overall scheme of things.
The Men’s Over 50’s was another quality final. Steve Mills who knows a thing or two about surfing at Wategos took out first place with Michael Tait as runner-up. The two Bennetts, Peter and Jamie were third and fourth respectively with Dave a close fifth. Michael is obviously camera-shy.
These guys have grown up and surfed together in the Bay since they were grommets. Every year they compete and catch up, the only difference is now there are kids in tow. Traditions continue. For the record Jy took out the crown, Gareth ‘Gaz’ was runner-up, Dan Wallace came in third, Ben, Andy and the other Dan (the really tall one) shared the spoils. 👏👏👏
The Women’s Over 40’s was an all-Byron affair. Louise, Sharon ‘Shaz’, Rosalie and Tess are friends in and out of the surf. Club Captain Louise surfed great all weekend and came home first with Shaz runner-up. The ‘Queen of Wategos’ Von Pendergast was on hand to present the Rell Sunn Perpetual Trophy. Each year Max makes a trophy in her honour. When Louise wasn’t competing she was behind the microphone keeping everyone informed. Well done ladies 👏👏🏄🏻♀️🏄🏻♀️
The Mystery Final was well and truly a funfest. Top blokes just getting out there and enjoying the waves. It was Wayne’s World, Dave and Michael were second and third. Anthony and Gary? Who knows, it is a mystery!
The Old Mal divisions are much loved for many reasons. Ben Matley, Wally, Josh, Jy, Gareth ‘Gaz’, and Ben McCabe gave a masterclass on what you can do on these historic boards. Gaz managed to outscore Jy for first place and Wally was close behind in third. The first photo is the deck and the second gives you a chance to see the fin and bottom. I am sure Josh might be able to point out some finer details. I know that the board Jy surfed is a rare stringerless Farrelly. He was gifted it by Max and Von for his 50th on the proviso it stays in the family. 👏👏👏
Comment from Josh Smith
“Some amazing heritage lined up right there !! The boards hold some history too!!
Two of the boards herald from Yeppoon! Made by the Hayden camp and both with very wide noses and lovely plan shapes!!
That Farrelly is a great example of a modern old mal! American contracted, as the Yanks knew the Aussies were into something and had to have a piece of it in midges shaping!
The red board is made by Bob Kennerson! A legend is Aussie shaping !! The Bay Area board ridden by Ben was made in Byron’s first surf shop opposite the green garage! Made by Rick Bennett who now resides up in Noosa somewhere! A great example of early manufacture and surfed very well under Ben’s talented feet! My board was made by Peter Clarke and very likely sanded by a Byron Malibu club member Jim Rogers back in the day, as he went to uni w Peter and worked in his factory after school !!
Some amazing history in that heat!! And all the boys knew that they were sharing something special! Topped off by Jy being gifted that Farrelly days later for his 50th!!”
The Open Old Mal was a sight to behold. Kahu, Kai, Isaac, Tim, Lennix and Róisín put on a stylish display of traditional longboarding. Kahu was delighted with his well-deserved win. Isaac who we hadn’t seen in the Classic for a few years was runner up and the ever-smiling Kai was third. A huge shout out to the young gun Lennix from Noosa who came fourth. We weren’t able to grab a group shot of the surfers and their boards because a few of them were in back-to-back finals. Next time!
The Open Women’s was a great mix of regulars and some first-time Classic competitors. Louise continued her busy and successful weekend by winning. Annie’s French flair secured the second spot with Eve third. Great surfing from Larita who travelled down from Noosa to secure a fourth spot and first-time finalists Jade and April shared the spoils. Lois Buckett was on hand to present the trophies. Thanks for your sponsorship. 👏👏👏🏄🏻♀️🏄🏻♀️🏄🏻♀️
The Big Boys is a perennial favourite. Peter, Jy, Moti, Mick, Ciarán and Neal surfed and paddled hard. Club President Jy, who had a very busy Classic made it a back-to-back win and would have made John Keevers proud. Mick was a very worthy second with Peter and Neal third and fourth respectively. The Irishman and the Kiwi discussed the Rugby World Cup. John Connolly was on hand to be master of ceremonies in a very amusing manner. Thanks once again John for the sponsorship 👍
Not many leg ropes in this one! Congratulations to the Men in the Logger Final. These Logger legends put on a legendary display. Jack, a Classic regular and top bloke was the winner. He had stiff competition from Isaac. Matt, just one of the many Halls in this year’s Classic was a worthy third. Kahu, Luc and Kai shared the spoils and had a fine time.
Daniela, Larita, Mahli, Eleanor, Louise and Róisín had a blast in the Logger final. Louise continued her winning run. Larita made the trip from Noosa worth it with a well-deserved second. Besties, Róisín and Eleanor grabbed third and fourth with Daniela and Mahli putting on a fine display in tricky conditions. Von, ‘The Queen of Wategos’ was on hand for the presentation. It was fantastic to see the encouragement and respect in this lineup. 👏👏👏👏
The Men’s Open was a rich display of surfing and sportsmanship. Jack, Ben, Matt, Dave, Angus and that young gun Lennix embodied the spirit of the Malibu Classic. Dave was absolutely thrilled with his win. Jack and Matt came second and third, with Lennix, Angus and Ben sharing the spoils. It was great to have a member of the Pitt and Hall family in the final. It is a generational thing 👍
Not all heroes wear capes! Steve Mills was at the Classic competing but is also a lifeguard. Millsy was not officially on duty but had his rescue board on the beach. He performed several rescues on both Saturday and Sunday. The rescues involved inexperienced surfers (not in the Classic !) who underestimated the strength of the sweep. Steve is as good a lifeguard as he is a surfer and that is saying something. Thanks, Steve 👍
The Future Legends was another great success. Thanks again to the Pendergast Family for keeping this tradition going 👏👏👏👏
Lots of happy faces thanks everyone 🤙🏼
Thank you Ciarán for all the great photos and posts
We were fortunate on a number of occasions to spend some time at Makaha in Hawaii with Rell Sunn “The Queen of Makaha”.
Rell Kapolioka’ehuka Sunn was a champion surfer and water woman, when her daughter Jan was small, Rell started a contest for kids “The Menehuni” (Legendary mischievous little people of Hawaii, kind of like the Leprechauns) Rell removed the plaques off the many trophies she had won and used the trophies for prizes in her first ‘Keiki” or kid’s contest.
With Rell’s help and encouragement we started a similar contest in Byron Bay, known as the “Future Legends”. This year 2014 will be the 20th. anniversary contest. Each year similar to Rell’s, we write and illustrate a colouring in/story book for each child, with subjects ranging from surfing education, surf safety, surf etiquette to keeping the beaches and ocean clean.
Our contest varies a little from Rell’s in so much as we give each child an equal trophy so they are all winners. This comprises of a “Show Bag” type bag which contains a tee shirt, colouring in book, wax, stickers and any other surf orientated goodies we can find.
Any monies raised from this little contest goes to whichever charity the Byron Bay Malibu Club is supporting that particular year. The Future Legends contest is held in conjunction with the Byron Bay Malibu Classic each year.
Sadly Rell passed away in 1998 after a long battle with breast cancer, so it is our wish to perpetuate this ocean awareness and water wise idea for kids under 12 that she helped us start and as we adore the little one with all their enthusiasm and energy, we hope in some way the subtle suggestions and warnings in the little colouring book, which draws on our combined 100 years as water man and woman will help keep them safe by being water wise and allow them to enjoy the wonderful healthy sport of surfing…
The Byron Bay Malibu Classic is on April 29th and 30th, which includes the “Future Legends” event. All welcome. For those interested in participating in the Malibu event, download the entry form byronbaymalibuclub.org
Thirty years on and the Byron Bay Malibu Classic is still going strong.
The Byron Bay Malibu Club has presented this event each of those years for the benefit of local charities and to have an excuse to catch up with old and new friends for a social surf and entertainment.
The Byron Bay Malibu Classic started out in the early years of the eighties when the Byron Bay Easter Classic was held over Easter and amongst the divisions were the Old Mals. Old locals such as Peter Robinson, Rick Light, Max Pendergast, Greg Snelling and Chris Milgate all used to compete and the finals were always at Cosy Corner until after about three years Max Pendergast offered to run the division at a separate venue, courtesy of the newly formed Malibu Club. As I was a shortboarder in those days it was great to see them take it on and we being the Seahorse Boardriders Club were happy to relinquish that division to the Byron Bay Malibu Club who have made it the longest-running single-fin event in Australia.
Events like these can't run unless they have the support of the business community and the volunteers to organise it to save money and give back to the community. Our presenting sponsor again this year is Club Byron-Byron Bay Bowling Club and some of our major sponsors have been with us for nearly the full 30 years. Those sponsors being Surf Aids, BC Hats and Sundive. Other major sponsors are McTavish Surfboards, Munro Surfboards. Byron Bay Longboards, Out the Back Surfboards, Sanctum Surfboards, West Coast Surfboards, Bic Sports, Amore Coffee, Why Not Cafe, Quiver Kaddy, Old Mill Timberyard, First National Real Estate, Beachside Apartments, Byron Hire, Batson's Leisure scapes and Byron Bay Property Sales. And a special mention to all the minor sponsors who have supported the event since its beginning and they are Bay Action surf shop, In The Pink Ice Creams, John D'erry Prints, Earth & Sea Pizzas and Byron Bay Camping who come on board every year for a good cause. T
his year all money raised is going to the Westpac Helicopter, Volunteer Coastal Patrol. Uncle Project, Byron Bay Youth Centre and the Cape Byron Headland Trust.
Each year we draw competitors from all over the country and even international ones at times.We have competitors from as far north as Noosa and south to Sydney.We have a crew from New Zealand and a competitor from France.The following guys though have been attending the event for the past 30 years and they are all great supporters of the contest: the Newcastle boys Ron Rudder, Col Walmsley, Terry O'Do-noghue, Kevin Lewis and we can't forget their wives who follow them along and spend the money. There is Tiki Neville from the Central Coast, Bully Arnold, Terry Taylor, Bernie Dalton, Dave West, Steve Lord and Darryl Green from the Gold Coast.
Our Local members Chris Milgate, Max and Yvonne Pendergast, Paul McCarthy, John Dixon, Bruce Catlin and the stalwart of the club, Stu Wallace.
Along with the regulars competing this year there will be great surfers like five-times Australian open champ and world title holder in 2007 Josh Constable. He will be challenged by Matt Aldridge and Craig Harvey from the Gold Coast, James Tanner from New Zealand new and local lads Chris Milgate and Beau Nixon.
In the open women Kara Nobbs from Lennox and Brodie Murray from Byron will have Jodie Barsby from Crescent Head to overcome as Jodie is a very powerful surfer on her day.In the age divisions the guys to look out for would be our local Alan Atkins and Warwick Bracey in the over 60s who will be fighting off Bully Arnold and Nev Smith from the Gold Coast, local Peter Hall has a fight to hold off Mike Pimm from Cabarita and Kym Presgrave from Sunshine Coast. Ross Cribb from Evans Head and Phil Fluro Mansfield are the two to watch in the over 50s.In the younger division, come and watch local Lee Miller, Jy Pendergast and Jack Van Delf take on Aussie title-holders Richard Smith of Sawtell, Hayden Swan of Yamba and old local Reid Jonson of Noosa.
In The Big Boys, over 100kg, local Johnny Keevers will have his hands full with Marty Ferrierfrom Brisbane and TV legend and chef Andy Phipps from Noosa. That will be a great event to watch.
We can't forget the Old Mals. We have Gareth Donovan, Aussie champ and local legend up against some young guns in Damien Andrews, Sunshine Coast, James Tanner NZ and young local Jack Milgate. It's another hot division.
All this will take place over three days starting tomorrow at Wategos Beach, with all night-time entertainment at Club Byron, with bands every night.
Presentation will be at the club at 3pm on Sunday.
By Sput Keevers 6/5/2010
On the 17th of February 2023 the BBMC social snorkel trip to Nguthungulli (Julian Rocks) was a huge success. It was a magic day everyone saw Turtles Rays Leopard Sharks and more fish than you could count. We filled two boats thanks to the genorosity of Perry from the Byron Bay Dive Centre who have since closed down. We would like to thank Perry for the trip and for being a longtime major sponsor of The Classic and wish him all the best for the future.
Plans for more social outings and events in the future stay tuned…
