The South Coast: Surfing news from the South Coast and around the State

With the summer season winding down and school going back, the south coast is slipping back into its usual easy-going pace. With some beautiful weather on the horizon, it is not a bad time to be out on the water. South Coast Surf Reef Project The Albany Board Riders Club has been working hard behind the scenes on the South Coast Surf Reef project. The project, which has received $5 million in Federal Government funding, is moving slower than was hoped. New Government regulation has slowed down the transfer of the money to the project however, the reef’s leading advocate and former ABRC president Peter Bolt said the wheels of bureaucracy were turning and heading in the right direction. “We might need to be patient just a bit longer,” he said. “The Federal Labor Government is applying processes to assess all the election commitments made for projects below $5 million and for those above $5 million. “The objective of these processes is to gauge the feasibility and readiness of each of the projects. “With the extent of detail in the business case and detailed design work for the reef already completed we have been advised that the Southern Ocean Surf Reef project should easily meet the requirements for funding to be forthcoming. “We believe that the grant guidelines will have been finalised by the end of January in which case the City of Albany can take the final steps to secure the funding. “Community support for the project remains strong and the level of anticipation is at a high level sensing that the long journey towards building the Southern Ocean Surf Reef may be drawing to its culmination.” Events and competitions In other news, the board riders club’s list of events has been announced for the year with two competitions and one training camp for members to enjoy. The open Wavefest will run from June 3-5 and the Junior Wavefest from March 23-26, with venues to be announced closer to the date. The ABRC will also be running the Girls’ Surf Camp from September 23-25. The art competition to design the shirt for this year’s Junior Wavefest is now open. The competition is open to juniors under 18 years of age and submissions close on February 19. More information can be found on the ABRC website and submissions emailed to absecretary@hotmail.com. Isi Campbell - She’s Electric Isi Campbell was been awarded the Hyundai She’s Electric award at the Australian Board Riders Battle at Newcastle City Beach NSW. The award was given to a female surfer who gave an electrifying performance in and out of the water. “I was just stoked to get the award,” Campbell said. “I surfed two heats, Individual and team, and I surfed pretty good in the team heat.” Campbell competed in the event for the Trigg Point Board Riders Club which placed equal 17th with fellow WA club Yallingup Board Riders. “I liked the whole team environment,” she said. “Being with everyone and the atmosphere of everyone coming together. “It was just good to be included in such a big event, I never realised how much the teams and everyone got into it.” It was a great effort from the WA clubs up against some stiff east coast competition. The board riders’ battle was won by Byron Bay Board Riders Club which took out the event in nail-biting fashion ending a 10-year drought for the club. Campbell said she would be competing in the Tweed Coast Pro Junior next. “I’m a little bit nervous,” she said. “I haven’t done one before.” Campbell said her goal for this year was to make a pro junior final. Our social media clip for this week features WA’s Jack Challis threading a heavy-looking, crystal tube at an undisclosed WA break.