The Reef to Beach Longboard Classic will be held on March 16-18 2007 at Agnes Water beach.

Started in 1999 by Wayne ‘Grom’ Mellick, Clyde Cameron, Snow Bryant, Steve ‘Fozzy’ Foster and Cheryl Potter to fill a need in Central Queensland surfing, this contest has grown to become internationally recognised surfing a event coverd in all major surfing magazines and the media, This team with the addiction of Paul Bryan in 2000 and Paul White in 2004, now in it’s ninth year of organising the Reef 2 Beach Long Board Classic.

Surfers from around the world now attend, as it is renowned for it’s lay back atmosphere, and ‘A place where everyone still hoots when you get a good ride’, with surfing legends like Joe Larkim, Ray ‘The Godfather of soul surfing’ Gleeve, Doug ‘Claw’ Warbrick (Rip Curl), Mick Dooly Jai Lee, Peter (Classic Malibu) White, and not forgetting the famous ‘Rooster’, regularly attending.

The first Reef 2 Beach Long Board Classic saw 46 keen surfers hit the water that has now grown to 130 competitors and is operating at full capacity over three days and four nights of surfing and partying at the Agnes Water Tavern.

Starting on Friday with the ‘North of Fraser’ (NOF), an event only people living North of Fraser Island can enter, sees the cream of Central Queensland surfing battling it out for the coveted title.

This year will include: Glen Cunningham Australian over 40’s champion from Bargara, Ben Fesselet Australian under 18’s champion from Agnes Water, and Paul Milroy Queensland number 1 over 45 also from Agnes Water. These boys will throw down a tough challenge this year, so don’t miss watching this event.

The Main Surf Event starts early on Saturday, with heats and semis, for 8’, open 9’ Traditional over 40’s, over 50’s retro. Women’s and Juniors. This is where everyone hooks in and try to knockout the camps and make it into the finals, so you get to see the crew surfing to the max to make it through to Sundays shootout.

Sunday see the competitors ratchet up another notch and pull of some of the best Longboard surfing in Australia! So mark this day in your calendar and bring the family down to see a world class event, and ‘hoot’ our local champions along.

Shade marquees are provided, and be on the lookout for the’ Free Board Giveaway’ tickets, as well as the raffles for hot surf gear. Agnes Water loins turn on the tucker and drinks, the proceeds go toward community needs.

In fact if it was not for the support of organisations such as the Captain Cook Lions Club, Tide N Turn Boardriders, Agnes Water Surf Club, Miriam Vale Shire Council, Agnes Water State School, the much needed sponsorship of local businesses snd people who come up and say do you need a hand, the Longboard Classic couldn’t happen.

His has enabled the committee to help develop surfing program for Agnes Water and Wartburg primary Schools, Rosedale High School, and to donate funds and products to Agnes Water Swim Committee, Agnes Water Child Care Center, Agnes Water Skate Park.

With over 700 people coming to Agnes Water for the Longboard Classic, and some coming a week early, so they can tune into the local waves, in what is generally a quieter period for tourism, local business also benefit, thus allowing for those who live in Agnes Water to have job security.

Then there are the nights at Kahunas Bar & Restaurant!!! From Thursday ‘Welcome Night’, the ‘Friday Draw & Party’, the Saturday Night ‘Roast’ to the Sunday ‘Barbie & Presentation Night’ it is non stop entertainment with surf movies, the ‘Hot Action’, the ‘Great Board Giveaway’, Music and heaps more.

Don’t miss the ‘Classic Show & Shine’, and see the best Malibu collections you have ever seen. Look out for the Kahunas Mechanical Longboard Classic’ and the Kahunas Classic Beach Girl Competition’ everyone is welcome to join in.

So if you think you can knock the socks of the best , entries are now open, but be quick, slots are filling fast.

If you live in Agnes Water support your local comp, and if you are holidaying plan your holiday to Agnes Water for March 16-18th 2007.

Steve Foster (Fozzy)