Inaugural Bintang Surf Off!
Posted: May 22, 2015 at 2:10 am
Looks like we may have kicked off a new tradition on Scuzz’s recent Mahogany trip. See the story below:
We are coming towards the end of our trip. We’ve had amazing waves, lots of barrels. We’ve scored some of the best most crowded waves, going off alone, had an epic evening on the beach with a bonfire and beers, caught a few fish, just a really great trip already and the guys are super surfed out, but there are still a couple of days left.
That morning we had motored back into Maccas and 
found the swell had dropped and a couple of other boats had arrived. Not wanting to compete, especially after how quiet and good we had scored it the last few days, we head back to the peninsula for the second last day. Arriving late morning, we see two boats at lances left; its head high and a bit, light breeze, not affecting the waves much, a bit up the face. They are new boats we haven’t seen, so we figured they may be first day frothers, and we decide to anchor over at Bintangs alone.
Bintangs is ok. There’s a little wind up the face, but there’s some of the old swell and that’s lining up good 
and barreling, and there’s some of the building new swell, which doesn’t have as much length of wall, but is standing up nicely and has more power behind it.
The guys are pretty spoilt, and some actual Bintangs have been drunk already, the moods really good, lots of shit talking and laughs, but no ones rushing to get their boards ready.
Why don’t we have a comp?
Yeeaaahh, yeah, let’s do it guys!!
Everyone’s amped, a few rules are quickly made; 30 minute heats, winner goes on, winner has to shotgun a Bintang after the heat. Everyone has to paddle out, next heat 5 minutes before, so the heats start and stop on the same buzzer. $5 entry, winner takes all.
There are 9 healthy surfers left; West Village has done his ribs the day before and is out, so he’s head judge along with myself. We need four heats, so it works well for semis, then final. So, tooth picks are drawn to see who goes in the 35 minute 3 man heat.
First heats in the water and its some heavy hitters, two very good surfers and a fair bit of pride and ego at stake. Everyone on the boat is pretty amped, including the crew. We have a really good anchorage and a great view and have anchored the big tinny out close for the judges later on. But for now, tunes are pumping on the big boat and everyone’s amped.
A couple of fair scores go down. There are a few judges and we all concur to make a fair score. Then a really nice wave comes thru and Joe`s deep and on the 
slingshot. He takes off well and pulls in tight: it’s a good effort and people are stoked he went for it, then we are all seeing he’s STILL in there and the wave has opened up more and more as it winds down the line. Eventually Joe gets spat out right in front of Crease and a massive roar comes from the Mahogany. Crease is shattered, Joe is stunned, and it’s an instant score of perfect 10 all around. Later Joe admitted he most likely would not have made that if it wasn’t the competition, and it’s the best wave ridden all day by far. Crease needs an 8.1 with 4 minutes to go and a good wave stands up. It’s solid and lined up and going to barrel. He’s about 3 paddles out of position and it 
would have been hard to get into and make, but he pulls back and it’s all over.
They paddle in. Joe shot guns a beer and its Mike and Powers in the next heat. They have been out there the last couple of minutes of last heat and the priority battle is on to start their heat. There’s good surfing here, some long rides, milking them all the way to the end and it’s Mike in the lead with not long to go, when Powers gets the wave he’s been waiting for. The boat is hooting and Powers takes off with speed and he goes for a big air and fails and Mike 
takes the heat. Shotgun beer for Mike and Powers joins Crease in being dumped out of the comp.
Water Buffalo versus Matty in the water for the next heat and we don’t get as many good waves this heat and Water buffalo takes it.
By now the wind has swung to its afternoon west. I offer the guys the move around to the right, we notice one of the two boats at the left is heading there, but the guys are really into the comp and surfing alone, and the westerly has not affected Binnies much. The 
lip is a bit crumbly, but the faces are clean. Mahogany has swung around with the wind and its now a bit hard for the competitors to hear the judges scores and time remaining, so I go out on the SUP as the microphone between judges and competitors.
The three man heat sees a lot of waves ridden, not many high scores as the judges have dropped their score ratings and its Morgan with a slight lead over Kev and with Shayno needing a couple of scores. This heat is a little longer and I give scores and times and fire up the guys as the heat progresses. Shayno gets a good one, but so does Morgan and all three of the guys are 
pretty close. Kev gets another good one and it’s an exciting end, but Morgan takes it, shotguns his beer and its semi final time.
Joe and Mike in one semi, and the brothers, Water Buffalo and Morgan, in the other. The first heat sees some huge turns, committed floaters and critical surfing. It’s really high standard and the guys are taking it seriously; it’s great to watch and everyone is into it. West Village is doing a great job as head judge and in the end it’s Mike who takes it out. He’s patient and waits for the bigger waves and surfs them hard to the very end, while Joe catches more waves and rips 
them as well, but size and length of ride help Mike take it.
Shotgun a beer and the Brothers are out there for their grudge match. It’s an icy start, back to back, no talking or eye contact and it ends up being the closest heat of the day. The scores are pretty low as a little squall has come thru and the waves are wind affected, but the tension is strong. With 4 minutes to go and Morgan needing a 3.6 to take the lead, a solid one comes and Water Buffalo takes off right on the spot. But utilizing his priority, Morgan takes off half way 
down, does a big powerful hack, and then two cutbacks and the judges award him a 3.6. So with 3 minutes to go, its Morgan up by .1 when Water Buffalo gets into a good one, but he misses his first turn and his legrope comes undone. We all start sprinting for the board before it gets washed in. Water Buffalo the life guard swimming, myself on the SUP, and even Morgan paddles on his short board. Just as we are about to get to it a wave pushes it in, so the chase continues and Morgan ends up getting it before it goes on the reef. A good brother effort. There’s still 1.5 minutes to go and Water Buffalo only needs a small 
score, but the buzzer beats him and it’s a Mike v Morgan final.
Shotguns are skulled all around and there’s a lunch break for all but the 2 finalists. The squall has passed, the sun has come out and it’s glassy and clean. The judges move out to the big tender and there’s a 6 man judging team on it, and myself on the SUP. 7 judges, highest and lowest scores are thrown out and an average taken from the last 5.
The final is 35 minutes and sees good waves. Mike 
goes back to his patient waiting game of only taking the biggest sets; he says he hasn’t surfed in a heat in 15 years before today. Morgan is sitting inside catching more waves. They both look a little more tired than their earlier heats, all the quick paddling and the shotguns taking affect.
Mike gets a good barrel and the score is high, Morgan has a few chances and is out of position for some comp winning waves, Mike rips another wave to the very end with some vertical surfing and has a solid lead with Morgan needing an 8.4 with only minutes to go. A solid tube
reels thru out of position, the clock ticks down, Morgan gets into one, but it’s not a heat winner and his score isn’t enough. Mike has won, and just after the siren he gets a great tube to come in. Bintangs all around, Mike gets the beer shower, the $45, and the honour of the Inaugural Bintang at Bintangs.
Great day.
