In The Beginning

By "The Chief"

Ten years ago there were only two longboard clubs on the Peninsula ­ Manly Malibu Boardriders and Reef Riders Malibu Club, at Long Reef.

Two members from Reef Riders, Brett Denholm, Treasurer, and Roger Drury, Secretary and Contest Director, discussed all Reef Rider business and policies on the 190 bus trip to the city. Over many months they talked about the possibility of forming a longboard club at the northern end of the Peninsula, and, as North Avalon was their homebreak, decided to establish the club at Avalon Beach.

The next thing was what to call this club.

There was a longboard club at Avalon earlier, called The Beachcombers, but it folded after a short time due to mismanagement.

The name of the club, "Hole in the Wall Longboard Union," was selected and it utilised a unique rock feature on the North Avalon headland. "Hole in the Wall" was a rare geological structure referred to as a "sea-arch," and measured seven metres across the inside of the arch and some 12 metres high. At low tide, and with a small swell, it was possible to walk through St Michael's Arch (The Hole in the Wall). Due to the great gale, called "Cawarra," in 1866 Hole in the Wall was destroyed.

Further delays occurred in registering the name "Hole in the Wall Longboard Union," when the search revealed there was a hairdresser in Collaroy Beach called "Hole in the Wall." Eventually the name cleared and the time was right to find interested club members.

The Hole in the Wall Longboard Union was formed at a meeting oif interested longboard riders at North Avalon car park on Sunday October 11, 1992.

The inaugural committee for the 1992-93 season was as follows:

President: Brett Denholm

Secretary: Suzi Parker

Treasurer: Peter Christie

Contest Director: Roger Drury

Media Officer: Ken Robertson

Committee: Ian Williams, Peter Brunker

The annual membership fee was $10.

The inaugural pointscore contest was held Sunday November 8, 1992, at North Avalon Beach in perfect conditions. The temperature was a warm 27 degrees and the surf, a clean, three-four foot. Eighteen members, with a good number who had never participated in a club before.

The first round consisted of four-man, 15-minute heats, and the second round was extended to 20-minutes. The standard of surfing was high, with Adrian Van Der Wallen taking the trophy (kindly made by Peter Christie) from Russell Phillip on a countback.

After the contest, a good number attended the BBQ at Brett Denholm's house, where the home brews appeared to be the order of the day. It also gave members the opportunity to congratulate Roger Drury on his 45th birthday. He was relieved to learn he was not the oldest member of the club.

The 18 longboard enthusiasts who fronted up for the historic inaugural contest were: Max Crompton, Peter Christie, Brett Denholm, Kyle Bowden, Greg Harris, Roger Drury, Benjie McNair, Peter Nash, Michael Nolan, Garry Robertson, Ken Robertson, Russell Phillip, Peter Townsend, Adrian Van der Wallen, John Van Der Wallen, Peter Vlug, Ray Scott and Bruce Usher.

At the February 21, 1993 contest, Old Mals were introduced to the club competition programme and those inaugural competitors were Jeff Andrew, Ken Robertson, Brett Denholm and Roger Drury.

The first presentation of trophies resulted in Peter Christie on 71 points winning the Modern Malibu, and Roger Drury on 25 points winning the Old mal pointscore.

In September 1994, the committee approached Mick Dooley to be "Hole in the Wall's" club patron. Mick was elated by the proposition, and to this day still makes time to attend each club contest.

For the next three years "Hole in the Wall Longboard Union" grew from strength to strength. In 1995, with a new committee, it was decided to put a motion before members at the May 13 pointscore competition to base the club at Palm Beach, and also change the name and company logo. Ninety-eight percent of members voted to not only relocate but also for the club to change its name to "Palm Beach Longboarders" with the first contest held on the first Sunday in July at mid Palm Beach.

The first pointscore for the new club was well attended with the waves being very channlenging with quite a few five foot close-out sets.

Due to treacherous conditions, the Old mal heats were called off.

Winners of the divisions were:

Firsts:Gary Burden; Seconds: Adrian Van Druten; Thirds: Chad Andrew; Fourth:  Curtis Field.

On Saturday March 23, 1996, Palm Beach Longboarders held their inaugural ìOld mal Rally.î This contest was conceived to promote sportsmanship, competition and traditional surfing.

The day was particularly highlighted by the attendance of Mick Dooley, Garry Birdsall, Barry Kirkham, Dave Wilson, Midget Farrelly and Jack Eden, who represented the era and celebrated the Rally.

The day was well rounded off with the presentaion of trophies at Flamingoís Restuarant, Palm Beach, with a great view of the dayís venue.

Results were: 1st Bill Morris (DV8s), 2nd Glen Arkintsall (DV8s), 3rd Brad Whittaker (Cronulla), 4th Dane Wilson (Cronulla).

From its hunle beginnings ten years ago, Palm Beack Longboarders Club has grown into the club that you see today with a membership of over 60 surfers.

The club, over the years, has been able to provide financial assistance to various organistaions in time of need, such as the Disabled Surfers Association, Papue New Guinea Tsunami relief Fund and more recently the NSW Bush Fire Appeal. (Note: in 2005 the Club also donated $500 to the Asian Tsunami Appeal)

In 2001, our then and current President, Gary ìCookieî Cook, or Secretary peter Fodor, and our Contest Director, Grant Salmon, secured Golden Breed as a much-needed sponsor fot eh club, ensuring that the immediate finacial future of Palm Beach Longboarders was secure and healthy.

The Chief

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