As the sun rose on another beautiful Northern Beaches day, so did the start of another edition of the 5 Ways. As the everyone congregated on the dunes of mid-curly, so did the anticipation of the members of each club, that this year was going to be their year to take home the title.
As the surf check was done, the boards unloaded and the tents set up, the word was travelling around camps of a rule change from the host club of a thruster-judged comp. A mild state of confusion was amongst the clubs, as a large number of the members thrive off hanging heels and dropping knees with only the 1 fin. But in typical Manly fashion, “Bring it on” was the call.
The first few heats hit the water in stock standard Curly conditions. A crumbling 2fter out the back into a “who dares wins” style shorey. The first few heats were seeming challenging but as I sat there and watched heat after heat, I was really becoming more and more impressed of the standard of young longboarders that were on show! The likes of Tully, Lachie and Archer were turning heads as they made it look easier than convincing Cam to go for a cold one of a Friday arvo! And the veterans were also flying the Manly flag proud, as the likes of Poggy and Sam showed they still have it in the locker.
As the day started to draw towards the end, the anticipation started to rise up to see if we had done enough. The green grenades started to crack and the car park filled as friends from rival clubs started swapping stories of the day as well as the past. The numbers started getting read out and within a matter of time, club prez Andy Dennis was striding forward to collect what we had all come for. MMBC had taken out the 2018 5Ways!!!
Congrats to every single shredder that helped us bring home the title as well as everyone who helped put the day together! The 5 ways trophy is back on Carlton St where it belongs! See ya out there! - Mitch Wright
21st Team: Tully White, Lynden Riley, Tom Bennett, Curtis Wright, Sam Tegan, Sammy Simmons, Paul O’Grady, Jack Entwistle, Cam Gray, Lachie Meakes, Will Price, Blake King, Declan Wyton, Archie Drinan
