LUKE Filipek is probably in the best position to want bodyboarding in the Hastings to make a return to the days when it was the thing to do.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He is the oldest member of the club which has seen a steady decline in numbers in recent years.
Now, with them ready to launch their 30th anniversary, he wants to see more bodyboarders take to the waves.
“There has been an overall decline in people taking up the sport and it’s hard to put a finger exactly on why that is,” he said.
Filipek was unfazed by the prospect of being the club’s oldest member – instead, he embraced it.
“I’m proud of the fact I’m still going and one of the older members and I like trying to be a good example to the younger guys coming up,” he said.
“I had a few good results, but I was never the best bodyboarder around. It was more about me enjoying doing what I was doing than winning anything.”
Filipek said the club had a few significant things planned to celebrate their 30th year.
“We will have our usual monthly contests along with the teams challenge and goose memorial contests, plus a 30 year reunion,” he said.
This Sunday kicks off the club’s first contest for the year and Filipek said they are hoping to increase their numbers again on last year.
I’m proud of the fact I’m still going and one of the older members and I like trying to be a good example to the younger guys coming up.
- Luke Filipek
“Last year we had approximately 60 members which was up from 30 the year before so if we can keep increasing slowly it will be good for the sport.”
The continued growth of women’s sport was something else the club wanted to jump on board.
“There are girls and women participating, but you see that when you go to the bigger contests because there’s specific women’s divisions,” Filipek said.
“Around here we’d like to increase the number of girls doing the sport.”
He was confident bodyboarding could one day again compete with surfing as the sport of choice on the water.
“When I was growing up bodyboarders outnumbered surfers around Port Macquarie and that’s changed now, but if we can move ahead in small steps the tide might turn.”
The bodyboarding club has set its sights on returning to the glory days when Damian King and Michael Epplestun were the names on everyone’s lips.
When I was growing up bodyboarders outnumbered surfers around Port Macquarie and that’s changed now.
- Luke Filipek
“We had the good waves around here which makes a difference and it was the bodyboard club that made people improve,” Filipek said.
“Eppo was ahead of his time as a bodyboarder so everyone learnt from him and that made everyone progress quicker than they would have.”
Anyone interested in joining in 2017 can meet at the Town Beach headland this Sunday (March 5) at 6.30am. Entry fee is $50 for the year.
