Mal riders seas the day
THE era of wooden longboards was revived in Torquay at the weekend with about 40 surfers taking to the water in vintage style.
Stalls, nose rides, and hang 5s and 10s were some of a catalogue of manoeuvres performed on pre-1968 boards during the Old Mal Titles at Point Impossible on Saturday.
The contest organised by the Southern Ocean Union of Longboarders (SOUL) saw clean three-foot “peelers” crashing along the reef.
SOUL president Paul Fletcher said the event gave longboard collectors, and those who had made them using modern interpretations, a chance to take to the water.
“The boards used in the event had to be original Old Malibu or boards restored to original (Old Malibu) condition,” Fletcher said.
The event hosted “log” divisions catering to those riding longboards made of lightweight material.
Angela King took out female log title, and Ben Considine, fresh off an invitation-only log event in Mexico, took the honours in the male event.
Considine also won the under45 Old Mal title while Darryn Murphy won the over-45 event.
Fletcher said longboard riding had experienced a resurgence in recent years as it allowed surfers to ride smaller waves.
“They are becoming more popular with women because you can surf smaller waves,” he said.
“It’s about finessing the board because they are so heavy.”