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The Spirit across the water THE ICEA WAVES PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF THE STRONG LINK BETWEEN THE OCEAN AND ABORIGINAL PEOPLE THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA. UNDER THIS BANNER THE FIRST ICEA CLASSIC WAS HELD IN 2010 AND HOSTED 40 UP-AND-COMING YOUNG SURFERS FROM ALL OVER WESTERN AUSTRALIA WITH NEARLY 600 SPECTATORS.
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he 2nd Annual ICEA Classic was held on 22 July 2011 at Cottesloe Reefs with 60 up-and-coming local surfers from around the metropolitan area, as well as some eager competitors from the South-West surfing community. With sponsorship and generosity from Shell, the ICEA Classic rocked out in style hosting over 600 spectators, which got the surfers frothing. The event kicked off at sunrise where competitors and spectators were welcomed to country and told dreamtime stories of the ocean by local Noongar elder Noel Nannup. This was undoubtedly a memorable undertaking for all involved. Thanks to a partnership with Millennium Kids Inc (a youth sustainability organisation), this was followed with various workshops throughout the day based upon raising awareness and educating the ICEA Classic crowd on Aboriginal culture and their strong link with the environment. This included waste management activities; clean-up before and after the event; a didgeridoo demonstration and Rusty team rider Jay Davies holding a snake. Dunsborough surfer Shay Maclean knew the trip would be worth it. “I entered the event because I knew it would be a great thing to get involved in, not only surfing and having fun but encouraging Aboriginals, the traditional
custodians of this land, to get out in the water too and have a go! “I really love surfing and I think it’s a great way to connect with the ocean whilst having fun at the same time! We all had a rad time out there during our heats and it was really good to see some of the local girls having a crack. ICEA encouraged everyone to just surf and have fun no matter what age, gender or background you were from, that’s why the day was such a success”.
involved with ICEA.” And on surfing with the boys, “Yes, the girls love it; it’s really great having a fun competition with such a great community spirit for a good cause.” New to the ICEA Classic this year was the introduction of the “Expression Session”, which saw all competitors enter the line-up and surf with some local Western Australian surfing professionals including Jay Davies, Paul Patterson and Brett Hardy.
Despite the wintry weather, the surfers couldn’t wait to get into the water and the crowd was treated to some sensationally ridiculous surfing throughout the various boys and girls divisions and the infamous ICEA Classic tag-team event. Jeremy Andrew won a Freedom Dolly skateboard for the biggest trick award.
Local young DJs kept the tunes spinning and the crowd pumping throughout the day and night at the very popular ICEA Classic After-Party, which was a success in itself with 280 attendees. In fact the line for the tickets during the day was so long not everyone managed to get one!
Jeremy said, “I love competing in the ICEA classic. It’s a great fun event that everyone comes down to. There was a really good vibe going round this year with music, dancing and the Aboriginal man welcoming us onto their land. It’s also fun surfing in the event because you meet new people and it’s not taken really seriously. The party is also sick! “
The competition strives to highlight the important link between the Aboriginal people and the ocean, as well as educate the young Western Australian surfing community about the many educational disparities faced by Aboriginal children.
This year saw the girls having a go as well and at times they were showing the boys how to do it. U/18 competitor Mathilda Lipscombe said, “It’s such a great day and it’s really fun to get
In 2011 the ICEA Waves Program expanded its reach on the young Western Australian surfing and Aboriginal communities. The establishment of the ICEA Waves Committee, comprising young leaders from schools around the metropolitan area, has provided a strong foundation for the program and an exciting future. Furthermore the program aims to integrate local young Aboriginals into the surfing community by providing a series of surf workshops, enabling these children and young adults to learn and experience the joys of surfing. You only had to look at Dion Wood to see this joy first-hand. Dion won the “froth monster” award for just being the biggest frothing grommet down there. His mum spent every day of the school holidays driving him in from the
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THE PROGRAM AIMS TO INTEGRATE LOCAL YOUNG ABORIGINALS INTO THE SURFING COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING A SERIES OF SURF WORKSHOPS, ENABLING THESE CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS TO LEARN AND EXPERIENCE THE JOYS OF SURFING.
Perth Hills to the Cott Reefs so he could surf. Because of his endless energy and sticking of Ocean Zone stickers all over his body he took home a signed Jay Davies Rusty surfboard. None of this would be possible without the help of major sponsor Shell and supporting sponsors Quicksilver, Brownies, Odyssey 20/10, Ocean Zone, Millennium Kids, North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club, PMAC Shapes, Tamara Yoga and Pro Choice Safety Gear. Founder and head designer of Ocean Zone (Oz), Reif Myers, says it was such a good event to be involved with and he was more than happy to put his brand out there. “I’ve been involved in a couple of ICEA charity events now, so when the idea was raised of a junior surf comp I was more than happy to help. One of my passions is surfing and I’ve competed in a few contests myself growing up, but I have always wanted to be able to help organise one. An event like this is perfect for a sponsor like Ocean Zone. The contest is held at my home break and at Oz’s home base in Cottesloe. We have a huge following amongst kids and teenagers in the Western Suburbs so it couldn’t be more perfect to sponsor a junior event like the ICEA classic down there”. For more information and to keep updated visit www.iceafondation.com.au or www.facebook.com/iceafoundation. Article/Photography: BY TEGAN MAFFESCIONI
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