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THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK LUKE

After a lifetime working at SHQ Boardsports Luke is now taking the opportunity to take his career to the next level with the challenging (and better paying) life of brand rep for Global Surf Industries.

He will continue to be fully immersed in his passion for SUP and surfing as he drives the great group of brands under the GSI stable to bigger and better things in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Luke will of course be sorely missed at SHQ but we all wish him the best of luck and thank him for his significant contributions to the store and the windsurf, SUP and Snow industry over the years.  

Luke will continue to be a part of the SHQ team but now as a rider and supplier instead of a staff member.  In a bid to make sure Luke doesn't forget his roots in windsurfing, SHQ presented him with a parting gift of a new NeilPryde Combat 4.7, we look forward to seeing him using it on the water along with all the new toys he'll have to "test" and present to us in his new job.

Make sure you come on in before Christmas to say farewell and wish Luke good luck.

Stay tuned for a farewell interview from Luke on his memories and stories of his time at SHQ and an insight on what is in store for him in his next exciting chapter.

SHQ CRAZY CHRISTMAS WINDSURF WIPEOUT!!!

KEAHI COMING TO VICTORIA & SHQ

STAFF NEEDED!!!

A second store and an action packed summer ahead means SHQ is looking for more staff!  Part-time and full-time applicants are welcome.  We pride ourselves on supporting the sports we love at every level, from schools to pros and everything between.  

Here is an opportunity for a highly driven and social person to work in a real lifestyle industry with close links to many of the world’s best watersports brands.  Experience in retail, attention to detail and ability to work on weekends are a must.

Retail Store Manager – Watersports Retailer

SHQ Boardsports is growing and needs an experienced and energetic Store Manager to join the team.

Located in bayside Melbourne, SHQ has been around for more than 30 years as the country’s leading specialist windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing and snowboarding hardware retailer.  We pride ourselves on supporting the sports we love at every level, from schools to pros and everything between.  This is an amazing opportunity for a highly driven and social person to work in a real lifestyle industry in a leadership position with close links to many of the world’s best watersports brands.

The Store Manager is responsible for,

-       Ensuring that high customer service expectations at met

-       Maximising sales and profitability

-       Rostering, team leadership and development

-       Supplier relationships, inventory management and ordering to a budget

-       Shop presentation and merchandising

-       Coordinating marketing efforts

The successful candidate will have,

-       Minimum 2 years retail store management experience

-       Self motivation, initiative and ambition to succeed

-       Excellent interpersonal skills, team leader and a team player

-       Highly developed sales ability and business acumen

-       Eye for detail and good problem solving ability

-       Passion and energy for watersports

-       Excellent communication and good computer skills

The role is offered as a full-time position including regular Saturdays.  Remuneration includes salary + bonus + Super + discount equipment + paid travel opportunities.

SHQ/WV Freerace Series

We can all go fast - now it's time to add some competition!

SHQ in conjunction with WV is running a 4 round Freerace series with heaps of great prizes.  All levels of windsurfers welcome - the emphasis is on building our community with some friendly competition.

2012-2013 WV/SHQ FreeRace Series

Locations

The 2012-2013 WV/SHQ FreeRace Series will consist of 4 rounds held at a number of locations with 1 round discard for series results.

 SHQ Cup Weekend @ Sandy Point 3-6 Nov 

 SHQ Breakwater to Beacon 20th Jan

 WV Classic @ Parkdale Yacht Club 

 Learn to Windsurf @ Hampton/Brighton

Race Course

The race course will be based on what can be setup at the event. Typical these will be based on a figure eight or a downwind M type course. Prior to each race a race briefing will held.

Divisions

 Slalom – dedicated slalom board and/or 4 cam race based sail 

 FreeRace – dedicated free race board and/or 3 cam or less sail 

 Freeride – any non-Race orientated board, with a non-camed sailEquipment

If you would like to join in the fun and you don’t have the gear mention in the divisions list there is number of ways to get involved. These are;

 Use a long board (Inc. Wally), SUP, beginner board and any windsurfer 

Rules

 The entrant must be registered with AWA (e.g. Windsurfing Victoria member); if not, WV membership can be obtained at each event during sign in.

 WV entrants are encouraged to present their WV membership card when registering for each event.

 All series entrants will receive a WV Sail Sticker. 

 The entrant must sign an entry form for each round and pay any entry fees required by the host club if not a member of that yacht or sailing club (e.g. $10). 

 The entrant must sign in and out of each race as per the host yachting/sailing club requirements. 

 The entrant must nominate which division they will be entering via the sign in/out register. 

 An entrant can use different division equipment per race, but only points for the

division the entrant sails in will be accumulated. Overall points will still accumulate

regardless. 

 The entrant must wear a suitable PFD as per water authorities’ guidelines and rules. 

 The entrant must show their registered national sail number on the sail by any means possible. Tape will be available at the event. 

 All standard sailing racing rules apply (e.g. starboard, buoy room, etc.)

Costs

The only costs will be;

 if there is a cost to enter the major event 

 if the event is being held at a yacht/sailing club and there is a required fee for non-yacht/sailing club members (e.g. $10/day) to be paid to the club

Results

How race results will be calculated will be based on placing and the number entrants for the season. An example of how the result will calculated is shown below.

 1st Place = 1 point 

 2nd Place = 2 points 

 Did not Finish (DNF) = number series entrants 

 Did not Start (DNS) = number of series entrants + 1

As the series will have number of events and races, at end of the series a set number of race results will be removed (e.g. worst results).

In addition all race results will contribute to the Victorian Windsurfer of the year award.

Awards

During the WV End of Season Party all division trophies will be awarded.

SANDY POINT MELBOURNE CUP

Check out the Video from this years Event

SHQ Boardsports is proud to once again put on the biggest windsurf and SUP event in Victoria at the world famous windsurfing location Sandy Point.  Once again this year there will be heaps of fun events with tons of great prizes.  

By registering for the full event now you give yourself the chance to win a $500 SHQ voucher drawn at the Spit Roast.  Registration for SHQ's Melbourne Cup Event at Sandy Point has never been easier, simply "buy" the product off our site and you are entered!

The $45 registration fee for this 4 day Windsurf and Stand Up Paddle event includes;

• Entry to Saturday Nights Spit Roast at the new community hall with heaps of great prizes 
• Victorian Wavesailing Competition with lifeguard support
• 1st Round of SHQ/WV Freerace Series
• Speed Sailing competitions
• Stand Up Paddle Board, Wave Event 
• Battle of the Paddle, SUP competition 
• Fun relays and random races suited to the conditions 

SHQ WAVE CLINIC A SUCCESS - FOR MOST!

The first SHQ Wavesailing Clinic was a great success with two days of wind, waves and sunshine. Pretty good for winter in Victoria! Sandy Point showed a bit of variety from biggish waves and cross shore wind to small clean faces groomed by a cross off breeze.  It seemed as though there were some nerves coming into the weekend with the forecasts suggesting a massive swell, however everyone managed the challenging conditions extremely well. Whilst the swell wasn’t super big it wasn’t small either and it did wreak havoc on a few people’s gear! It was great to see that everyone who got worked did so with a smile, and took it on board as a learning experience. After all in wavesailing if you aren’t getting smashed you aren’t trying hard enough!

Everyone who came along had set goals from getting out over white water and increasing their wave knowledge all the way up to nailing a forward loop. For some it was their first time sailing in waves and it was impressive to see them tackle it head on. After a big first day on the water we got to sit down to some great food prepared by Jono and watch the action (and carnage) recorded. By seeing footage of themselves everyone had a good idea of what to work on for the Sunday. 

Day two dawned to pancakes, sore bodies and more wind. The swell had come up overnight and the wind had gone onshore at most spots so we snuck over to the far corner of Waratah bay. With more manageable waves and a cross shore breeze everyone was keen to get back into it! There was still the odd cleanup set coming in so timing was crucial to making it out the back. Glen used his surfing knowledge to time the sets well and Jamie was getting planning through the whitewater with ease. Jason had really taken bearing away through the break onboard and was getting out the back well. Peter snuck in a few rides on some nice head high waves and James was building up his confidence and starting to ride down the line. Towards the end of the day Geoff scored the ride of his life, screaming down the line for 100 metres right in the critical section. It was awesome to see everyone doing well and sailing with confidence.

By mid afternoon some rain squalls started to appear making the wind back off a notch. Really though I think everyone was pretty exhausted and happy to call it a day after two solid days of wave sailing.

Thanks to everyone who came down and put in such a big effort on the water.

See you next time the wind and swell is up! - See below from some highlights of the weekend!

Peter Hands taking off down the line

Geoff lining one up

Pretty decent waves - no messing around for these wave-sailors!

Some testing of the new 2013 NeilPryde Combat

Well earned rest - how good is the sunshine in winter!

Some technique analysis

You have to have a beanie or hoodie to be a wave-sailor 

Lachie getting ahead of himself

Peter bottom turning into a decent one

Damien started well charging out on day one - unfortunately not every jump went this well - hopefully he'll be back on the water soon

A picture tell a thousand words

Everyone appreciated Jono's chef skills

The instructors Al, Jono and Huddo show how it's done!

Sandy Point - What a fantastic place - see you all back there for the SHQ Melbourne Cup 3rd-6th November