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Merimbula Sailboard Club hosted their annual Malibu competition at Merimbula’s Main Beach on Saturday 21st May 2011.

The day dawned bright and clear with a small clean swell running. 70 Competitors, both male and female, with ages ranging from 10 to 73, had entered, with some travelling from Sydney, Lakes Entance, Cooma and the south coast to compete in this, the club's 25th malibu event. The hard working club members had the tent erected, the BBQ fired up, the judges were revved and the hooter primed ready for the first heat to hit the water just after 7am. Contestant from the first round who failed to place in the top 4 then had another chance in round 2, the repercharge heats. It soon became obvious that the competition would, once again, be tight. Many relished the small waves but some of the favourites were eliminated before the finals. The six finalists, locals Glen Wright, Dave Prowse, Danny Jones, Rob Hindle joined Jay Mulherin from Cooma and Ray Lawrence from Dalmeny to battle it out in the 20 minute final.

The sun shone continuously, the water was warm, the BBQ served up gourmet fare throughout the day to contestants and spectators, the judges and scorers worked tirelessly and the camaraderie amongst the crowd was pervasive. Yes... John Smythe and the Merimbula Sailboard Club pulled it off AGAIN. Bring on the next quarter-century! ( We will need to make a octagenarians category )

The Presentationwas held at Club Sapphire. The Gary Stoyles Universal Blues band wowed the crowd after the prizes and trophies were distributed.. It was a wonderful end to a magic day. Thanks to all the sponsors, the hard workers from the sailboard club, the business houses that assisted in any way, the band, the judges, the contestants, and everyone who helped with the event. John Smythe is to be congratulated for, once again, putting in the hard yards behind the scenes to pull it all together so well.