In the middle of may, earlier this year, I made the trip up to Noosa for the 2021 Noosa festival of surfing. While travel bans meant that the comp was restricted to just aussies, it was a great time all round. In the juniors, local mmbc Grommies Blaise, JJ and Jayden poy (who lives in Noosa now) made the finals in shitty manly esque beachie conditions. In the men’s, myself, Hamish robertson and Ellis Barron progressed a couple rounds, however, got knocked in the semis. In the ladies, the goat Tully White shat all over everyone taking out the log and the opens. Lesgo. Well done Tul! Check out south corner sessions to see some of the replays (below). Oosh oosh cuzzy g
2021 State Championships
A few weeks back the Surfing NSW state titles were run up at Port Stephens and the Manly Team did well in some small but fun conditions at Birubi Beach. Tully White took out the Open women's division posting some high heat scores all week. Sammy Walker took out second place in the same division. Tully made the final of the Open Women's log too but made a last minute dash up to Burleigh for an invitational event so she didn't get to surf in the final in which Sammy took out second place.
Rahn Goddard has now made the official move from Team WA to Team NSW after competing in his first NSW state titles! There is no going back now. Rahn unfortunately got knocked out in the semi finals but still gets a place in the NSW Team to head to the Australian Titles in August. We are stoked he made the move to the East Coast.
The Tabell Boys also made the trip up to Port Stephens with Lucas taking out 4th Place in the Junior Logger and Under 18 Boys event. Jesse unfortunately missed out on going in his specialty division the open log but we are looking forward to seeing big things from both the boys in the future.
Neil Fredrickson competed in two divisions taking out 3rd place in the over 65's longboard division.Go Neil!
On top of all these great results the Manly Team also took out the Tag Team event. Rahn, Sammy, Jesse and Lucas were followed closely by our 5 ways nemesis Curl Curl Longboard club during the heat but securing the win and a giant trophy.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone competing at the Snowy in a few weeks. Happy Surfing!
By Sammy Walker
2020 Winner
A Grade
Tom Oliver
Samuel Tehan
Tom Bennett
Luke Madden
Christophe Marandat
Cameron Gray
B Grade
Neil Frederiksen
Michael Brown
Joel Richard
David Slaytor
George Scopelitis
Peter Tabell
Women
Sammy Walker
Kate Moran
Sue McComb
Tully White
Sophie Coles
Michelle Sleeman
Juniors
Jesse Tabell
Lucas Tabell
James Tualima
Ellis Baron
Jahva Gray
Blaise Burmeister
Perpetuals
Most improved - Luke Madden
Best Tube Ride - James Tualima
Best Wipe Out - Lachie Meakes
Big Kahuna - Sophie Cole
Junior Development - Lucas Tabell
Junior Encouragement - Ellis Barron
Roger Kieran - Curtis Wright Board - Michael Tapper
October, November x2 and Final Comp Results
John Shimooka passing
John Shimooka would be quick to tell you, “I’m lucky as a motherfucker.” He didn’t need to though. You only needed to look at him.
Shmoo knew he’d lived a fortunate life. From his days on tour in the ‘80s as the “dancing Hawaiian playboy”, to a successful comeback after “the wheels fell off”, to life in Australia with his family and a career that kept him in the surf and in touch with his huge circle of surfing friends, Shmoo wore his luck for all to see. Privately however – and particularly in recent days – he didn’t always feel that way.
John Shimooka passed last night. No details provided here, which might tell you enough for now. This is going to be an incredibly tough day for a lot of people. In Hawaii, in Australia and right around the world, surfing has lost one of its great characters and warmest souls.
Shmoo emerged from Hawaii in the mid-80s as a South Shore counterpoint to the macho North Shore vibe. Shmoo surfed fast and surfed with his hips. He surfed like he was dancing to a soundtrack in his head. He was deadly in the beachbreaks that made up most of the tour at the time.
Always quick to take the piss out of his short stature, Shmoo compensated with an overdeveloped personality. Shmoo filled the room wherever he went. Five minutes in his company and you simply became an extra in the Shmoo Show. Along with close mates like Rod Kerr, Matt Hoy, Dog Marsh, Pottz, Gerr, Sunny Garcia and Sonny Miller, they surfed fast and partied faster through the late ‘80s. Shmoo laughed when he described his tour dynamic this way, “It was a nuisance to compete. It got in the way of the partying.”
Eventually he burned out and dropped off tour in ’92. “I was living in California and there was a three-month period where I partied every night. Lisa and I had no money. I was counting penny rolls to go down to 7-11 for a hot dog and cigarettes, but I always had money for beer and everything else. I wasn’t surfing and I was close to 90 kilos, which for someone who’s four foot tall is a lot of weight. I hit the bottom off a big one and remember waking up one afternoon and Sunny was there. He said, ‘Shmoo, what are you doing? Come back to Hawaii.’” Sunny Garcia took him back home, whipped him back into shape and got him back on tour in ‘95. The pair made the final together that year at Bells.
Post-tour, Shmoo became the voice of surfing through the 2000s as a commentator and broadcast host. With surfing booming, Shmoo was everywhere. He moved to Australia with wife Lisa in 1999, and they had son, Brandon soon after. Living in Cronulla, he eventually began working with Surfing NSW as their General Manager, running contests and delivering his daily “Shmoo-one-two” surf reports online. That charisma never dimmed.
Recent days however have been tough. Last year he lost his wife and long-time soulmate, Lisa. A few months later best friend Sunny attempted to take his own life, surviving but now requiring full time care. “There’s not a day that goes by I don’t think of you two beautiful souls,” Shmoo posted online. “I love you both so much and look forward to seeing you at some point. Sunny when we go surfing someday soon and Lisa, when God says so.”
Their loss has weighed heavily. They were the two who’d saved him at his lowest point, and to lose them both in quick succession knocked him around. Up or down, Shmoo wore his heart on his sleeve and he’d always let you know how he was going. Often he didn’t have to say it; it was just a weary tone in his voice, or an enthusiasm level for life at a mere eight and not his usual 11. Shmoo was up so much, picking him when he was down was easy.
You could only imagine what he was carrying, but through it he was willing to share his troubles to salvage some good out of it. In August last year he attended the “Surfers Unite to Fight Suicide” event in Ulladulla. He got up that night and talked about Sunny, and the need to talk about what had happened… to prevent it happening to someone else’s best friend.
Shmoo was due to head back to Hawaii in December and had been looking forward to reconnecting with his Hawaiian crew for the first time in a few years. He posted a photo of Waikiki with the caption, “I can’t wait!!! My first happy place. I’m coming home!” He never made it.
Shmoo is survived by son, Brandon. Our thoughts today go out to him, and all Shmoo’s surfing families in Hawaii, Australia, and all around the world. We’ve lost another good one.
2019 Results
Juniors
1. Lachie Meakes
2. Jayben Pou
3. Jesse Tabell
4. Matilda Oliver
5. James Tualima
6. Cameron Oliver
Women’s
1. Sue McComb
2. Kate Moran
3. Samantha Walker
4. Tully White
5. Sharon O'Reilly
6. Diana Paterson
B Grade
1. Jason Hogg
2. Hank Harries
3. Michael Brown
4. Jasper Poos
5. Andy Dennis
6. Adrian Turnbull
A Grade
1. Tom Bennett
2. Sam Tehan
3. Peter Unwin
4. Tom Oliver
5. Curtis Wright
6. Michael Tapper
Perpetuals Trophies
Most improved - Jason Hogg
Best Tube Ride - Cameron Gray
Best Wipe Out - Michelle Sleeman
Big Kahuna - Kate Moran
Junior Development - Jesse Tabell
Junior Encouragement - Blaise Burmeister
Roger Kieran - Cameron Gray & Jason Hogg
THE SNOWY SECRET SESSION
How good was that!
Such an awesome afternoon of surfing and fun, make sure to check out the videos.
And a huge THANKS to Drew from South Corner Sessions for filming us all
Watch heat 3 – Doobie Brothers
Watch the Snowy Secret Session 14 June 2020
Watch Snowy the commentator in Fantastic Plastic Machine “final contest”
Winners
Best nose ride - Tully White
Runner Up Nose ride - Lucas Tabell
Tandem Coffin - Tom Bennett and Michelle Sleeman
Runner Up Tandem Coffin - Jahva and Cam Gray
Barrel Coffin - Hamish Robinson
Barrel - Kels on a the short board
Best headstand - Neil Guy
Runner up headstand - JJ Tualima
Best wipeout - Blaise Burmeister
Runner up wipeout - Hoggy
The most carnage - Christophe MARANDAT
Best Tandem wave - Sammy Simmons and Luke Madden
Best head dip - Jesse Tabell
Best spinner - Sam Heaton
All time legend - Drew Tualima (South Corner Sessions)
In the back of the van with Cam and Kate Moran
Mark Morgan Surfboard Expo at Curl Curl
For more information check out www.markmorgan.com.au/stories/surfboard-expo-at-curl-curl
TRAILER ALERT
Our good old trendy trailer needs a new home and a new driver!
Its been a while since we’ve asked, but our good old trendy trailer needs a new home to go to after each comp and it needs a driver/car to get it there, they can be different!
The call is out there, we’re looking for someone who has space at their home on on their street to house the trailer between comps. We’re also looking for a car and driver to get it to its new home, it can be one person or it can be two to share the love! The club is willing to pay the car/driver if they don’t already have a tow bar on their car.
Anyone who is interested to help out (much appreciated) please get in contact!
manlymal@gmail.com
Kate Moran | 0403 744 389
Cam Gray | 0402 356 075
