Maldivians, Aussies star in Third Phuket Quiksilver Surf Contest

by Peter Cummins

Hussain Areef and Mohamed Fayaz, competing in their first Quiksilver Surfing Contest at Phuket, took back to the Maldives the first and third places in the Open Shortboard Division, while Australian Bill Scholer successfully defended his 2000 Longboard Division title, and compatriot Perry Gilbert won the exciting and highly competitive Phuketsurf.com Paddleboard Race by a split second.

UK’s Lee Dowse also performed extremely well for two second places: one in the Open Shortboard Division and one in the Paddleboard. In this latter, Lee was a little unlucky, having fought his way through to the final after he led all the way. Almost at the beach, Aussie Perry caught one last wave and surfed past Lee to sprint up to the beach finishing line, one second ahead.

The Third Annual Quiksilver Phuket Surfing Contest, held off Kata Yai Beach, was the biggest and best to date, with some 70 competitors from more than 12 countries honing in on Phuket for three days of competition, fun and that certain great camaraderie which the sport inevitably generates. The progress of the contest could be gauged from the fact that there have been three different nationalities winning the open event: Thailand’s own Chalong Tongsook, the inaugural 1999 champion, and 2000 champion Japan’s Urai Utaka had to accept fifth and ninth places, respectively this year, behind the winning surfers from the Maldives.

Surfing in Phuket: the girls are also becoming adept on the waves. Peter Cummins photo

At the spectacular awards ceremony and dinner party held at the Pop Cottage Hotel at the end of the contest, Andre M. Plump, a major force behind the development of surfing in Thailand - particularly Phuket - was quick to acknowledge Quiksilver Thailand (Patamasakul Company) as the event organizer and sponsor. “Quiksilver’s support guaranteed the success of the contest,” noted Andre.

A huge range of prizes and disbursements ensured that no one went home empty-handed and there was a special award for tiny Thai boy ‘Nai” for whom surfboard designer and builder Kym Thompson will make a special board for “this lad with so much promise”.

A great surprise for the huge crowd gathered at the Pop Cottage pool-side dinner was a fashion parade. While changing channels the rare times I watch television and, thus, inevitably flicking past many of these ghastly displays of skinny women and dubious males prancing bow-legged along the catwalk - usually in preposterous outfits - the thought of a fashion show to mar my evening at Pop Cottage seemed unfair.

Was I ever wrong! Displaying the sportswear of sponsors Aloha and Oakley, a stunning parade of beautiful, svelte Thai girls and handsome, fit Thai boys put on a magnificent show. And, according to the MC, they had only one month’s training!

The Phuket Surf Company Ltd. also joined Quiksilver Thailand, providing the event organization and management. International surfer and surfboard designer, Australia’s Kym Thompson was again the contest manager, supported by Hawaiian Ed Angulo. “Ed’s presence,” said Andre, “brought a professionalism to the organizing team as a contest judge.” In just three days, “his influence was a very positive contribution to the development of surfing in the Kingdom and increasing the interest of young Thai boys and girls in surfing on Phuket’s beautiful waters,” Andre concluded.

Besides Quiksilver and the Phuket Surf Company, a number of other entities in both the public and private sectors gave full support to the Contest, namely: Aloha Surf Sports, Surf Hardware Int. (Gorila Grip, FCS Fins), Oakley, Reef, POP Cottage Hotel, Cobra Int. Co. Ltd., the Kata/Karon Municipality Office and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Results of the third annual Quiksilver Phuket Surfing Contest:

Open - Shortboard Division (48 Competitors, first 12 only): 1. Hussain Areef (Maldives - Team Billabong); 2. Lee Dowse (UK); 3. Mohamed Fayaz (Maldives); 4. Simon de Maria (Australia - Team Quiksilver); 5. Chalong Tongsook (Thailand - Team Quiksilver); 6. Rick Gambel (Australia); 7. Werapong Thonghome (Thailand - Team Quiksilver); 8. Kwang (Thailand); 9. Arai Yutaka (Japan); 10. Sunshine (Thailand); 11. Marcus de Maria (Australia); 12. Bob Hunt (Australia).

Longboard Division (24 Competitors, first eight): 1. Bill Scholer (Australia); 2. Bob Selznick (USA); 3. Mick Robinson (Australia); 4. Mark Cody (Australia); 5. Perry Gilbert (Australia); 6. Tim Heyland (UK); 7. Mikeal Nilson (Sweden); 8. Brian Nys (Malaysia).

Phuketsurf.com Paddleboard Race (24 Competitors, first six): 1. Perry Gilbert (Australia); 2. Lee Dowse (UK); 3. Mick Robinson (Australia); 4. Werapong Thonghome (Thailand); 5. Tom Fekete (USA); 6. Mikael Nilson (Sweden).

Special Awards For Outstanding Performance: Lucas du Troit (South Africa) = youngest competitor (nine years old); Cheiko Fujimara (Japan) = best female competitor; Nai (Thailand) = outstanding performance (12 years old).

Young amateur boxers compete at Thepprasit Boxing Stadium

Chakrapong Akkaranant

Young amateur “international-style” boxers put their skills to the test last week at the Thepprasit Boxing Stadium in Pattaya. The event was held to support the kingdom’s anti-drug campaign.

Young amateur boxes from all over Thailand faced off at the Thepprasit Boxing Stadium in Pattaya.

This was a national event, and in all, 32 boxers took part, representing all four regions of Thailand. The competition was divided into two classes: flyweight (48.988 - 50.802 kilograms) and bantamweight (50.802 - 52.163 kilograms).

The winners in each class were awarded trophies in the name of the prime minister, and the runners-up received trophies in the name of the minister of interior. Other trophies were presented in the name of the permanent secretary for the interior.

Organizers included the Sports Authority of Thailand, Community Development Department, the International Boxing Association of Thailand and the Ministry of Interior.

Honoring the occasion and presiding over the opening ceremony was the president of the International Boxing Association of Thailand, Major-General Sanan Khachornprasard, the former deputy prime minister and minister of interior, and president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand. Also attending the opening ceremony were Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan and Chadej Insawang, director of the community development department under the ministry of interior.

Championship Results:

Flyweight: Hasadin Somsri from Suphanburi defeated Prasit Kanjoncheewapaisal from Yasothorn on points. The runners-up were Budsaban Tukanghan from Satun and Wichit Phimpimai from Samutsakhorn.

Bantamweight: Sutticha Naphed from Suphanburi knocked out Sorawut Samaksaman from Surin in the 3rd round. The runners-up were Pitak Dechathee from Phayao and Chayaporn Khemnak from Chonburi.

Ryder Cup tears for England

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker

On Friday, 28th September, The Bunker stalwarts travelled to Phoenix Golf Club for their annual “Ryder Cup” style competition between teams representing England and the Rest of the World.

This year’s twelve-man teams were captained respectively by Wilf Latham and Stan Axon and the latter had a point to prove, as England triumphed after two rounds last year.

The pairings were so arranged that no player, with one exception, was more than five shots away from his opponent’s handicap. England got off to a flyer, winning the first two matches but the Rest of the World were to claw their way back to take the match by seven and a half points to four and a half.

Results were as follows (England names first):

Chris John defeated John Swanson 4 and 2
David Johnson defeated Stan Axon 4 and 3
John Preddy lost to Sander Ruthsip 3 and 2
Len Jones lost to “Charlie” Chen Chia Lung 5 and 4
Neil Griffin halved with Bill Jones
Dave Swaine defeated Clive Harris 6 and 5
Ron Platt halved with Paolo Rose
Bill Chadwick halved with George Meigh
Tony Callen lost to Lomud Chiadara 6 and 4
Bob Lindborg lost to Laran Branett 1 up
Wilf Latham lost to Norman Brooks 3 and 2
Peter Allcorn lost to Gary Parm 3 and 2
In the Stableford competition, division one was won by Charlie Chen with 38 points and in second place were Laran Branett, Norman Brooks, Wilf Latham, Barry Barnes and George Meigh, all with 35 points.

The division two winner was Lomud Chiadara, making her first appearance at the Bunker. The only lady in the field amassed a spectacular 41 points to leave runners-up Bill Chadwick and Chris John trailing well back with 38 points.

Angkor’s aweigh for Pattaya Panthers this weekend

Hakkinen not ready for pipe and slippers yet

Mikka Hakkinen in the McLaren Mercedes showed that although he has said he will take next year off, he has not retired yet. In a determined drive in the US Grand Prix at the Indianapolis track, he held off the Ferrari attacks of Barichello and eventual second place getter, champion Michael Schumacher. Hakkinen’s team mate David Coulthard was 3rd and looks almost certain to take out the second place in the world championship behind Schumacher.

Pole sitter Michael Schumacher led the field away, including a furious Hakkinen who was pushed down the grid for an infraction of the rules during the warm up period.

Mikka Hakkinen drove his way to victory in the US Grand Prix (Photo courtesy of Planet-F1 and Bothwell Photographics)

Schumacher moved over to let team mate Barichello through, who looked as if he had the race in the bag. Ferrari had gambled on a two stop strategy for Barichello, and it appeared as if they were going to capitalise on it. Unfortunately, a slow pit stop brought Barichello back to the pack which included a fast rising Juan Pablo Montoya in the BMW Williams, who slipstreamed past Schumacher to take the lead.

However, it was to no avail as about three laps later he was sidelined with mechanical gremlins (again!) while his team mate Ralf Schumacher spun off and beached himself in the sand.

After the pit stops for Ferrari and McLaren, it was Hakkinen who appeared first, ahead of Barichello and Schumacher. In the final third of the race, Barichello whittled away at Hakkinen’s lead, getting down to within 2 seconds, but with five laps to go the Ferrari engine started blowing smoke and though trying to keep the car going, it all seized up with two laps to go and Barichello’s race was over.

Coulthard pressed Schumacher, but was never in a position to challenge for the German’s position. 4th was the Jordan of Jarno Trulli and a happy 5th was Jaguar’s Eddie Irvine, hopefully appeasing his Ford masters who were there at Indianapolis to witness the race. The final championship point went to Nick Heidfeld in the Sauber.

The championship table is now Michael Schumacher 113 points, Coulthard 61, Barichello 54. Barichello can still take 2nd over all if he wins at the final GP in Japan and Coulthard finishes 5th or worse.

The Japanese GP will be held next weekend, 14th October.

Fitness Tips : Weight lifting techniques under the microscope - Part 2

G’day All, the technique story continues and the closer I look into it the more likely this will be an 8 part series. I wouldn’t do it if it was not worth it.

Correct form when lifting weights is vital for maximising the training effect that your instructor has prescribed to ensure you achieve whatever is your goal as well as reducing the risk of injury while working for that.

Unfortunately, it seems as though more often than not people in the local area are being taught dangerous ‘ways’ of lifting or they are just left to their own devices.

So let’s continue a bit the look at technique that I started last week (again, apologies if I come across as though I’m on a soapbox, that’s not the intention. I’m trying to help). If I leave anything not completely covered then please give me a yell and I’ll go over it in the column at a later time.

The lift descriptions I go through here might get a bit technical, bear with me, I’ll tidy it up at the end of each one with a brief overview of the main points.

Remember, always consult a doctor before commencing any exercise program and when performing new or potentially hazardous activities seek the supervision of a professional in that field.

If you are taking things out of magazines, remember, check the references of the article and the likely motivation for its production.

The Chest

Range of motion: One of the most common injuries from resistance training would have to be rotator cuff strain of the shoulder, with bench press being a major contributor. The key to preventing these injuries is a carefully selected range of motion. The bar should stop at least fist distance from the chest in the eccentric (downward) phase of the movement. No, it should not touch your chest. Bringing the bar down any lower creates excessive stress on the cuff tendons as elbows migrate back beyond mid – frontal plane (the point / plane that would split us into front and back equal halves). The elbows should be bent at approximately 900 at the bottom of the movement. Therefore the bar is held with the hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart.

Wrist position: The weight of the bar should be taken through the heel of the hand, not further up the hand towards the fingers. This results in hyperextension of the wrist and can compress vulnerable joint tissue in the back of the hand and wrist.

Back position: The spine should be in neutral when lying on the step bench. To measure this, slide the fingers under the curve of the lower back at the belly button. Your fingers should fit snugly under the back up to the level of the knuckles. An excessive curve where the hand can slide under the back will destabilise the lumbar spine (your lower back) during the press action. Once a neutral spine is achieved, the lower abdomen is drawn in to activate the inner unit, which will support the spine. The exact same support position that I talked about last week, it may also be referred to as the braced position.

Note: all of the above applies to a push up no matter what variation, hands and toes, hands and knees, even hands on a desk with feet on the floor.

Foot position: The feet should be positioned flat on the floor approximately shoulder width apart. Participants who find their backs are excessively arched may find it easier to place their feet on the edge of the bench, which will help to reduce their lordosis (excessive curvature of the lower spine). Meaning that if your feet are on the floor and you can fit more than your fingers under your spine then you need to put your feet on a higher platform to allow your back to ‘flatten out to the correct degree (fingers under).

Next week we are going to look at the back and core of the body.

Carpe’ Diem

The “Doc” fails in quest for club coach

IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven

Monday 24th
September - Century Ban Chan (Bogey)

1st: Mike Dabanovich, 3 up
2nd: Mark Campbell, 2 up
3rd: Jean Pierre Carcabal, 1 up

Dabber led home a very competitive field from The Haven, in preparation for the tour to Soi Dao on Tuesday, just holding off the improving “Must” Campbell, with J.P. Carcabal in third place and filling out the winning places on the podium.

“Must” must have won if not for bogeying the last five holes, whilst Dabber, one of his playing partners, was calmly parring the same holes, commenting “that there were no outside agencies affecting his play on the day”. The “Doc” cleaned up in the twos for the second time running, but this time only managed one on the day.

Wednesday 26th
September - Natural Park Hills (Stableford)

1st: Klaus Schackt, 36 pts
2nd: Bob Van Mol, 34 pts (cb9 18)
3rd: Ciano Glavinia, 32 pts (cb9 16)

Taking advantage of the absence of several members on tour to Soi Dao, Klaus Schackt played steadily round the extremely testing Hills course to record a level par round, which proved good enough on the day to secure first place ahead of Bob and Ciano.

A quick count back showed Bob getting the second place over Ciano. In an effort, presumably, to become the Club Coach, Stephen a.k.a. the “Doc” had most of his teeth removed on Tuesday, only to find he could only fit in six seats, much to the surprise of many of the crowd back at The Haven. He was unavailable for comment at the post match gathering, keeping his gums firmly clenched.

Friday 28th
September - Khao Kheow (Stroke)

1st: Oradee Kaesavane, 65
2nd: Klaus Schackt, 67
3rd : Frank Sinclair, 69
4th: Harald Cranz, 72 (cb9 34.5)
5th: Bob Van Mol, 72 (cb9 36)

Once again Oradee Kaesavane strode ahead of the field with a career best front nine of 42 gross, followed by a back nine played to her handicap. Oradee edged out her playing partner Klaus, whose score would normally have been good enough to win a stroke competition, with Frank Sinclair coming close in third place. Doktor Harald held off Bob in the count back to secure fourth place.

The twos kitty, including the carry over from Wednesday, was shared between B.J. Smith and Klaus with one a piece.

Richard Livingston, the club resident PGA professional, welcomed back Dale Drader, Kenny Cook, Herb Schwieterman and Denis Curtin, whilst welcoming new members Abn Razak, Niels Kjellerup and Robert Lamond all from Australia.

Soi Dao Tour results, 26th, 27th, 28th September

Played at the beautiful highland course set in the southern hills near Chantaburi, the three day event was won by “Must” Campbell, trailed by Dabber in second place.

Mark had a fantastic run of form scoring net 66, 69 and 67 on the last day, to lead the field by a large margin. Maybe the serene atmosphere and quiet evenings helped to bring a calming effect to his game; or could it have been the refreshing massages at the end of each days play?

Seniors and Ladies Open tees-off with a bang

The inaugural Diana Group Seniors and Ladies Open Golf tournament certainly teed-off with a bang at Sriracha International Golf Club on Thursday 27th September. Unfortunately though, not the sort of bang that was anticipated, as it was a two hour long thunder storm with torrential rain which flooded the course and caused the tournament to be abandoned with just a few holes completed.

This was particularly disappointing for the organizers in view of the excellent turnout of thirty-six players that had signed-up for this new event.

The well balanced field of 14 super seniors, 10 seniors and 12 ladies provided a perfect balance and the prize giving scheduled for 6 p.m. back at the Green Bottle Pub would have been an enjoyable social occasion.

Preparations had been made for an inaugural buffet party - now postponed to the next outing on October 25th. Entry will be free for the 36 players who signed up for September 27th, and the standard B.150 entry fee for newcomers.

Sriracha golf course, clearly under maintenance pressure due to previous rain and unable to provide any green fee dispensation for the aborted round, may possibly feature at some future date. For now, the venue will move to Pattaya Country Club for October 25th, and possibly thereafter.

It was a disappointing start for a well organized event. The seniors were wonderful, the super seniors were super and the ladies, as ever, were lovely. Don Antonio’s request, as an octogenarian, for there to be a super-super seniors division is under review but unlikely as he stands strong and alone in this very senior category.

Sign-up at the Green Bottle, or Diana Driving Range, for the re-inaugural Diana Group Seniors and Ladies Open on Thursday October 25th.

Mitch goes from worst to first

PSC - Three Sisters Golf

On Monday it was bottoms up at the Three Sisters Golfing session as last week’s low man rose to the top this week. Kevin Mitch, who last week had a terrible game, came in with a blazing 40 points, followed closely by last week’s winner, Steve Donovan.

This week Steve could not manage to limp by as he did last week so the bragging rights went to Kevin who kept his ball on the fairways.

Three Sisters bragging rights winner Kevin Mitch (left) and “strongest golfer” (for bearing the weight of the field on his shoulders) Gerry Holt.

Close behind the leaders was none other than good old Don Antonio. Old is the word, but the Don was right in there still swinging away - at 83 years of age. We’re sure that Don Antonio is the oldest on the course out here and in better shape than most.

Although it was bottoms up for the winner, it was tops down for the looser Gerald Holt. Although Gerald was near the top last week, he managed to stub his toes and stumbled to 21 points this week. This week there was not even a close second to help Gerald to hold up the bottom. I’m sure that like Kevin, Gerald will be working his way back up to the top next week.

At Caddy Shack Two, the players had beef stew supplied by Bill Thompson, as this was his last session of golf prior to his going back to work. Ken Crow brought around some fantastic bread to go with it. With cold beer to wash it all down and bragging going around, fun was had by all.

Sharp has the edge in the match-play final

Svein hangs on to win the Hua-Hin tour

On Sunday the 16th of September at Green Valley, Rick Sharp eventually beat George Jackson 3 & 2 in a very tight final for the match-play tournament. The tournament, which takes place over 4 weeks, is very popular event and the next knockout singles match-play will be starting this Sunday at Hua-Hin.

Last week, Lewiinski’s / Orchid G.G. played their latest four day tournament, and on the points system Svein Vistung played well all week to hold off the late challenge of Jimmy McHugh, who scored well over the tour. Jimmy started play on the Friday as a 13 handicapper and by the following Friday he was playing off 10 (voluntary cut).

The overall scores were:

1st: Svein Vistung, 38pts.
2nd: Jimmy Mc Hugh, 37 pts.
3rd: Steve Mascari, 33 pts.
3rd: Peter Stonebridge, 33 pts.

Other results:

Green Valley Sunday 16th Sept.

A flight

1st: Steve Mascari, 41 pts.
2nd: Richard Montgomery, 39 pts.
3rd: Svein Vistung, 39 pts.

B flight

1st: Bruce Tollitt, 42 pts.
2nd: Oradee Kaesavane, 41 pts.
3rd: Ray Ryan, 39 pts.

Near Pins: #2 Svein Vistung, #9 Klaus Shackt, and #16 Mike Riley

N.P. Resort Wed 19th Sept.

A flight

1st: Richard Montgomery, 38 pts.
2nd: John Hurst, 37 pts.

B flight

1st: Bob Lindborg, 33 pts.
2nd: Peter Stonebridge, 32 pts.

Lewis and Allen reach the promised land

PSC Golf from Cafe Kronborg

Monday, Sept 24 (Pattaya Country Club)

A good party of Pattaya Sports Club golfers went to Pattaya Country Club on Monday, September 24 for a medal competition. 2 flights were organised with a handicap split of 0-18 for the A Flight and the rest in the B Flight. On a hot pleasant day the results were:

A Flight

1st: Fred Lewis, 70 (net)
2nd: Wayne Koch, 72
3rd: Robert Lamond, 73 on count back from Kevin Taylor.

B Flight

1st: Max Allen, 69
2nd: John Swanson, 74
3rd: Mick O’Connor, 76 on count back from Frank Sinclair and Jenny O’Donnell

Thirty-six PSC members then went to Phoenix on Thursday the 27th to compete for Bjarne’s monthly mug. A stroke match was played on the Mountain and ocean courses. The results were:

Taking the mug with a net 66: Joe Sebastian

Other winners:

A Flight (up to 19 handicap)

1st: Herbie Ishinaga, net 68
2nd: Ebrahim, net 69
3rd: Richard Montgomery, net 70

B Flight

1st: Bob Deane, net 67 (count back)
2nd: Jerry Lien, net 67
3rd: George Bennison, net 69

Near pins: M4 Ebrahim, M8 Paul Kraft, O5 Ron Platt, and O7 George Bennison

Naturally George is a winner

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker

On Tuesday, 25th September, the Bunker Boys journeyed to the beautiful and testing Natural Park Hills course for their weekly medal competition. The weather was typical of this time of year with dull, overcast skies, intermittent drizzle and a drop in temperature.

The course, with its tight fairways, narrow undulating greens and acres of trees, made scoring difficult, but in division one George Meigh showed us all how to play the course by shooting par, the only golfer on the day to accomplish this.

Long hitting Charlie Chen chased him all the way, returning net 74, and third was American golfer, Richard Montgomery (no relation, surely?) with net 79.

In division two Chris John made it a hat trick of victories with his net 78. Is there no limit to the Bunker Banker’s talent? In second place, with net 79, was the recently returned Englishman, David Johnson, and third was Les Winch with net 82, about to return to England’s fair shores for a short while.

Nearest-the-pin awards went to Peter “Dogleg” Allcorn, again, Charlie Chen and David Johnson. The Bunker Banana Booby should have been awarded to the transport manager’s caddy, who twice commandeered his buggy without permission, leaving him without clubs or cigarettes!

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Updated every Friday
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