the opens champs 1998-2007 – John Gough (1998) Dayyan Neve (1999 and 2001) , Beau Mitchell (2000), Kurt Jacobs (2001), Tristain Mac Caffery (2002), Bill Langley (2004), Dustin Atkinson (2005) , Paul Evans (2006), Heath Irving (2007).
As Frankie Valli put it in that classic song years ago, “O What a night” the NSB 10 Year Anniversary was just that, the biggest most entertaining night in the clubs history.
Past and current members came together to celebrate the clubs biggest milestone and to name the first 4 life members along with the team of the decade and to acknowledge the 10 Opens champions…
It was a real chance to get everyone together for a party to end all party’s and the crew didn’t let anyone down getting into it like their was no tomorrow.
The North Steyne Surfclub provided the back drop after a couple of solid hours of getting on it, it was time to start the ceremony and it was up to me to do my Presidents speech.
It was weird, after ten years in the top job I had so many things to say but I couldn’t quiet work out how to do it justice. This club has given me some of my life’s best moments, so I thought the best way to do it was to write a list of important things down and wind through them. Problem was when I pull my notes out; I couldn’t read them due to my shithouse hand writing.
So I did it off my head and tried to get all those moments that made what is an amazing history of this club, the wins and losses and all those funny moments that has transpired over 10 years.
For my National Jim Beam Surftag Title in 2003 was my best highlight.
Danny Sherwood and Richie Lovett were our MC’S and it was time for them to one by one get every open champion up on stage and what a list it was. I was blown away by how many great surfers had won the crown
John Gough (1998) Dayyan Neve (1999 and 2001) , Beau Mitchell (2000), Kurt Jacobs (2001), Tristain Mac Caffery (2002), Bill Langley (2004), Dustin Atkinson (2005) , Paul Evans (2006), Heath Irving (2007).
Next it was ‘’NSB’S Team Of The Decade “’ It was hard to pick and it went through a process to get those five name but in saying that all fully deserved their spot in the team.
Beau Mitchell , Dayyan Neve , Kai Otton , Paul Evans and Kurt Jacobs all got the nod, All had been part of the clubs best team moments and it was great they all spoke on stage Dayyan more than anyone else but it was funny to watch it go down.
The final presentation was of the 4 Life Members, These awards could have gone to a number of people but im stoked with the outcome.
1st up was me ,Adam Hennessey , Really for me its been an honour to serve this club and what drives me more than anything is to know that so many still enjoy it.
2nd was Tim Hanrahan , The guy has been there from day one and with out his support the club would never have survived. The major sponsor every year and someone who has surfed at both a team and club level.
3rd Dayyan Neve , WCT Surfer ,2 times open champion , member of nearly every NSB Team and the person who came to me and begged for to start the club back in 1998. Doffa has this place running through his veins, always has always will.
4th Beau Mitchell, 4 club titles including an Opens crown, Member of every winning NSB Team. This bloke is the most passionate competitive person we have, The king of Surftag is the only club member to surf in each team event from 1998-2008. More than often he is the reason our side has won so many times.
It was emotional on stage and it wouldn’t do it justice to relive the speeches in print but the best quote came from Dayyan mouth
It went something like this.
“Look this is a very emotional moment for me”Nearly as emotional as the day Otto stole Jenny off me”
Buts its Okay now where good mates again
The place laughed so hard .
Both Danny and Richie were outstanding making it a ceremony to remember.
After all that it was time to get back into the festivities with the place kicking to Unleaded and Judd Carters band.
12pm came and it was time to exit with most heading to Manly to continue what an awesome night was out.
A lot of work went into the night and special mention to both Darren and Carol Speight both worked tirelessly in helping me get the night ready and it would not have gone so well without them
Also thanks to Andrew Bullman , Ronny Wong and Warren Randall for helping with the cleanup.
Dimmy .
View more photos from the night on the gallery page
more photos would’ve been alright