Juraki event unites culture
THE Juraki Surf Culture event is more like a modernday corroboree than a sporting contest, says Joel Slabb from the respected Fingal indigenous surf family.
Juraki was a son of one of the original Kings of Fingal, Gumoi, who instructed Juraki to watch over swimmers from Greenmount Hill and was awarded a bravery medal for his lifesaving feats in 1910.
Joel’s family have always lived next to the beach listening to the roar of the waves.
Dad Kevin organised the first Billabong indigenous event at Fingal in 1996.
“I always enjoyed the Billabong indigenous surf events that were run in the 90s as well other indigenous surf events that run in other communities,” Joel said.
“It’s always been great to see the mob come together for something good.”
The three-day Juraki Surf Culture begins on Friday and runs through to Sunday, when the finals highlight a program that includes markets, food, art and dancing.
Following a break from a successful competitive career, Joel was motivated to follow in his dad’s footsteps and organise a new event after watching the next generation including his four kids and the local community.
“I wanted to do something and give them the same experiences I had from taking part in these event,” he said.
“So I got a team together with my wife Mary and it went from there.”
Joel said the Juraki event, which began in 2016, was more of a cultural gathering.
“It’s like a modern-day corroboree,” he said. “Tribes from all over come together to share surf and culture.
“This happened many years ago, in the Bunya Nut Mountains and other parts of Australia. We simply added surfing to it.”
The 2018 Air Asia Juraki Surf Culture is seen as giving back to the community and encouraging a sense of belonging and family connection.
“With some of the highest suicide rates and drug and alcohol issues within our communities, we see a need to come together more and more and support each other,” Joel said.
“In doing this, the next generation can see something different and have hopes and dreams.
“This also gives the platform for young indigenous surfers that may want to pursue a career in the surfing industry.”
The event has attracted national indigenous champions Russ Molony and Joey Haddon and legendary champs like Ty Arnold and Ken Dann, who are making a comeback.
Some of the new young stars like Taj Simon, 14, and 16-year-old Rhonin HenryMicale, 16, will give the champs a run for their money.