Kneeboarding isn’t dead

Surfing Sutherland Shire is the body that overlooks competition in the Bate Bay area and has ten affiliated cubs. The Sydney Kneeboard Club caters to a niche part of the surfing sport and is one of the smallest.

Surfers didn’t pay much attention to kneeboarding until George Greenough slid into a long, hollow wave in Bruce Brown’s epic film, “The Endless Summer” and the following “Shortboard Revolution” brought the kneeboard to prominence. This revolution brought in maneuverability and the ability to put yourself more easily into the tube on hollow reef waves, but the sudden impact of the plastic bodyboard made that the sport of the masses and kneeboarding made its own path.

The Sydney Kneeboard Club grew out of Southside Kneeriders Association and covers all of Sydney Metro area and has been constantly operating since 1984. They run competitions every two months either at Wanda or at Narrabeen/Long Reef, and an away comp on NSW South Coast in collaboration with Wollongong Area Kneeboard Assoc. Two times World Kneeboard Champion and Cronulla ‘Walk of Fame’ surfer Gavin Colman is a member and regular competitor.

Mark Ashby said the club was always evolving, picking up interested “kneelos” via their Facebook page.

“Everyone gets a couple of surfs. If you who want competition you’ll get it, if you want a few laughs there’s plenty of those.”

Their last comp was held at Green Hills and the final was won by Chris Williams, with Graham Pettet second, Mark Ashby third and Richard Milton fourth.

Story and Image: John Veage