Jump on board with Maladiction

Twenty-five years ago, when five surfers decided to form Maladiction Longboarders, the Mornington Peninsula was a different place. It might be more populated and developed now, but one thing will never change: it is a surfer’s paradise.

Maladiction life member Steve ‘Kingy’ King says: “The idea of the club was to be all-inclusive, to reach families and kids and bring them through the ranks as well. It was also to be a social outlet. We all surf, we knew faces but didn’t know names. We wanted to bring people together and get to know one another.”

The club started out pretty much strictly for longboarders. After a decade when membership was waning, the decision was made to invite shortboard retro surfers to regenerate the club again. “Most of those guys and girls were in their 30s with young families,” Steve says. “Again, the view was to include families and bring kids through.”

Whatever your age, gender or surfing ability, everyone’s welcome. “We’re all volunteers, from all walks of life. We have doctors, we have hole diggers, teachers, you name it, we are inclusive.” Over the years, Maladiction has worked with the Disabled Surfing Association’s Mornington Peninsula branch with its events, helping disabled surfers to catch waves in a safe environment.

One of the club’s oldest members is Tui Wordley. “Tui has just turned 86. He joined in the club’s second year. He’s a real legend, a great fella, still surfs a bit and still very involved in our contest days timing the heats.” The club has several Indigenous surfers, including Rhys Collins, who is the Australian Indigenous Masters Champion.

And while the club was once a maledominated arena, there has been a great mix of male and female presidents over the years. This year Sarah and Lauren have been appointed co-presidents. “Sarah and I are both single parents with young kids so we knew that we couldn’t do the role on our own, so we work together,” Lauren says. “The committee has been really welcoming and everyone’s sharing ideas and we’re trying to bring events back that we had before COVID hit.” Lauren grew up on the Peninsula but only took up surfing a couple of years ago. “It’s intimidating when you’re starting out. Being part of the club, having encouragement from the club makes a massive difference to your surfing.”

Apart from regular competitions on the Peninsula, a highlight on the club calendar is the California Cup, which sees Maladiction compete against Ocean Grove’s Soul Longboard club. “The comp location alternates each year, their coast to our coast,” Steve says. “There are four surfers of different levels in each team. Each surfer gets scored and their combined total is the final score, so whatever their ability they all contribute. It’s a great event for generating friendships and bringing us all together.”

Check out www.maladictionlongboarders. com.au for more info or to join.