[author]Andrew McKinnon[/author]
The Kirra Surfriders Club (KSC) hosted a very successful 50th anniversary bash at the Coolangatta Hotel on Saturday. Originally planned for Kirra Hill, the event was forced to move venues by the rain and the plan B option went off without a hitch. It was one of the biggest surfing reunions seen in a long time with as many as 300 guests turning up from five generations of surfing.
Jessie the Eagle from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (representing the KSC’s mascot) headed the afternoon’s ceremonies and a roll call of presidents from the sixties right up to the new millennium all spoke passionately about their involvement of their club.
The list of presidents included Tony Butler (first pres), Curly Pinniger, John Standing, Paul Daley, John Poole, Graeme Scammel, Ray Manicarus, Poe Cross, Darren Handley, Stu Ball and Darryl Green who turned 60 at midnight! Current president Jason Thomas thanked the past presidents for their contributions and all those who attended an epic night.
Dual world champion Mick Fanning spoke as did club historian Tom Peterson, and original Snapper Rocks Surfrider Jeff ‘Bully’ Arnold congratulated Kirra from the Snapper side. Next year will be Snapper’s turn to host their 50th!
The next big event for Kirra is their annual Kirra Teams event sponsored by Volcom on 18 and 19 February and the following week both Kirra and Snapper will be competing in the National Jim Beam Surf Tag titles at North Wall Ballina on 22–23 February.
Image: Mick Fanning and Joan Peterson, both life members of KSC, cut the anniversary cake. Photo Lynn Simondson/Surfing Snapps
