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Rubie Reents has only attempted night surfing once, but that hasn’t deterred the 16-year-old from becoming the face of the first ever Nocturnal surf competition.
When she took to the waves under the light of the moon a few weeks ago, Rubie said she was “pretty scared”.
“I was out there on my own and kept thinking I was going to get eaten,” she laughed.
While sharks come to mind for most people when night surfing is mentioned, the thought of becoming dinner hasn’t stopped almost 120 competitors, including Rubie, from signing up for the Nocturnal event to be held at Mollymook Beach on Easter Saturday.
Before heading to Queensland and New Zealand for pro junior surf competitions last week, Rubie told the Times she was “excited” about taking part in the team event.
“When I first heard about it, I thought it was a really sic idea,” she said.
“It will be pretty eerie but, with lights and other surfers in the water, it won’t be as bad as being out there on my own.”
An Ulladulla High School Rubie is chasing a pro surfing career and has become the face of the festival.
“I have been telling everyone about it and encouraging other surfers to get involved,” she said.
“It will be heaps of fun, a chance to meet new people and great for spectators on the beach.
“It’s a something unique for our area and will be such an awesome experience.”
The competition will kick off at 4pm on Easter Saturday at either the Mollymook Reef or the Southern end of Mollymook Beach, depending on conditions, as is expected to wrap up about 10.30pm.
Organiser, Ulladulla Boardriders Club president Kurt Nyholm, said the festival would be a family event, with live music, food stalls and beach games, as well as tag team surf action.
He said spectators could expect to see something “unique and really different” at Mollymook.
“They’ll be blown away and come away after seeing something pretty cool.
“As well as the surf action, families will enjoy live music by local band the Swaggers, beach games, such as sand modelling competitions and heaps of food.
“Pilgrims will be selling their famous bliss burgers in their beach marquee and the ExServos Sea Salt Restaurant has also come on board,” Kurt said.
Surfers will be split into teams of five, with each team containing one junior and one female member, as well as one of the region’s top surfers.
“We’ll mix it up so each team has a range of abilities and ages.”
One woman keen to kit the waves in Kirra Dowling who only took up surfing with instructor and former world champion Pam Burridge six months ago to improve her fitness.
“To say that Pam has changed my life is an understatement,” she said.
“I'm hooked and love the challenge, new friends.”
Kirra said her former school mate Kurt suggested she enter the tag event.
“I thought, why not and I'm excited to support this charity event.
“I'll be there with my nine-foot foamy and will try not to think about what will be attracted by the lights,” she added.
The interest in the event has been “overwhelming” for Kurt who is expecting some big name surfers to turn up along with up and coming young local surfers such as Brett Burcher, Matt King, Russell Bierk and Elliott Marshall.
“It’s going to be huge - there has been so much interest and support for the event,” he said.
“Local businesses as well as surf companies have come on board with sponsorship and heaps of prizes, including $1000 prize money from Bannisters”
Former Ulladulla surfer Tom Avery will be returning for the event and will conduct a Welcome to Country ceremony on the beach before the action starts.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Jindelara Respite Home fund as well as Turia Pitt’s charity of choice, Interplast.
Limited competition places are still available, with registration forms available from Akwa Surf in Milton.