The Ulladulla Boardriders Club [UBC] and Shoalhaven community at large recently lost one of its great characters, Jason 'Bullfrog' Evans.
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Bullfrog, who had recently turned 50, spent all of his life in Ulladulla and was instrumental in turning the UBC into what they are today.
"Bullfrog was the ultimate clubman," UBC's Kurt Nyholm said.
"He joined in the early 1980s as a kid and had been part of our club until he got sick.
"At first, he was one of the hot groms to come through, before eventually taking out the club championship.
"During that time, he also held numerous roles, including president countless times when the club was on the verge of folding - he was just so ingrained in the club and everyone loved him.
"We all looked up to him as a role model and to many, including myself, he was a yardstick of who we compared ourselves to in the surf.
"As competitive as he was in the surf, he wasn't like that out of the water, rather being extremely generous with his time - purely just wanting the best from everyone.
"It wasn't just members of the boardriders that he impacted, as he was also a very talented musician and keen fisherman.
"The happy bloke is sorely missed by all."
To honour Bullfrog's legacy, Nyholm thought it was imperative for the club give him a fitting tribute.
As such, the Boardriders, in conjunction with Evans' parents Russell and Roslyn, are hosting a paddle out on Sunday, October 31 at Golf Course Reef (bottom of Rosedale Avenue) from 9am.
"We will start the proceedings including a traditional paddle out and numerous people, including his parents, children and members of the community, will have a chance to say a few words," he said.
"We will then head back to shore, where our club will have a tent and barbecue set up and reminisce on his amazing life.
"We're expecting a big turnout because he passed when we were all locked down and we weren't able to give him the send-off he deserved."
Nyholm admits he has already reminisced about all the good time he had with his good mate and can't wait to hear more stories this weekend.
"When I was a kid, I always looked up to him and wanted to be like him in the surf - as he was arguably the best junior surfer in town," he said.
"Then when we held the surfers against suicide event and all these top surfers came to the area to compete in the event - some of the top riders the country and world have ever seen - I had countless people stop me and say 'how good is Bullfrog going'.
"He had all the talent in the world on a board but just never decided to pursue, rather stay here and enjoy life for what it was.
"He was the leader of my generation of surfers and all the generations since have felt the same way because he's been so welcoming to each and every person.
"He epitomised what it means to be an Ulladulla Boardrider, as it's not all about the waves, rather the good times and friendship you make along the way."