Fluidzone Shark Island Challenge 1997 Shark Island Challenge

In: Fluidzone Shark Island Challenge by philgallagher 0 Comments Thu 27th May '10
Tags: 1997 Shark Island Challenge , Matt Percy , Nathan Purcell
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1997 marked the first ever contest to be held at Shark Island. This came about from the locals like Nathan (Nugget) Purcell wanting to showcase the waves and riders in a competition format but in the amazing waves rather than the weaker location on the local tour.

The contest ran under clear winter skies on a Sunday afternoon. The waves were 4 to 5 feet out of the south east and pretty much perfect as far as small island goes. For the locals it was a chance to invite the "Blow In's" round for some friendly competition in their backyard. Riders like Steve Mackenzie, Luke Miller and Ben Player all jumped at the invite to surf uncrowded waves and the chance to win some cash for their hard work.
For Ben Player it was his first ever time out at Shark Island " its the only time I can be out here trying to get waves with out someone yelling at me calling me a billy then burning me" says Ben.

The set up for the event was very grass roots with a big boat full of all the competitors, judges and photographers, oh and a lot of beer thanks to guys like Wazza paddling out fresh some needed supplies on his board mid heats. This central location set a great vibe with the vocal boat load cheering on any good rides and yelling abuse to those who dared to pull back.

Move of the contest went to Luke Miller for a nice invert over the end section. Dave Ballard scored the wave of the day with a solid tube and taking the event out in the end was the ever stylish Matt Percy.

Nugget takes on the semi contest director role and vowes at the days end that he would do his best to make this contest an annual thing and in true Cronulla fashion the after party was held at Percy's house back in Cronulla and followed up by some sort of rouge night out locally. But before this happens the gates are locked back up and its business as usual at the heavily localised Shark Island.


1st matt percy
2nd bullet
3rd chris warr
4th Luke Miller
5th Nathan Purcell & Ben Player

 

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