The club will introduce a range of new team building events, training camps and courses for its members this year, but the focus will remain on developing surfing skills and having fun.

Rod Astley has been elected president of the club for 2018. He said surfers of any age were welcome to join.

While president is not a new role to Astley, who has been part of the boardriding club for more than 30 years, he said he is “super keen to be back on board”.

“We have an awesome new committee this year and we are coming up with some new and great ideas for the club, also with coaching and comps to help develop the juniors,” he said.​

“We want as many people to sign up and become new members and come join our exciting club.

“We are hoping to get some great backing from our sponsors. We are keen to have a few more.”

Bay Area Boardriders is a club for surfers who want to develop their skills, especially for the competition circuit.

While it is not a surf school, the club teaches surfers how to surf in competitions, what judges are looking for and water safety.

Many of the Port’s up-and-coming junior surfers, who are doing well in regional, state and national competitions, are members of the Bay Area Boardriders.

And it is not only juniors – or groms – who are members, but adults, too. 

The club has members aged into their 50s, as well as professional surfers such as Chris Michalak, who is club captain this year.

Chris and brother Luke Michalak, from Port Stephens Surf School, run lessons and clinics for the surfers looking to develop their skills even further.

Kim Burton from Port Stephens Toyota is once again throwing his support behind the club this year.

In the past, support from Burton, who also sponsors Surfest and the Port’s professional surfing competition, the NSW Pro, has helped the club to buy equipment and prizes for its members. 

This year the club will introduce a series of new initiatives to its calendar including team building and training camps, participation in Surfing Australia’s Surfers Rescue 24/7 CPR and board rescue course, a team competition trip to Barton Lynch’s BL Blast Off for the junior super groms and social movie nights at Birubi Surf Life Saving Club.

The club’s first registration day will be held on Saturday, January 25 during the Surfest Wild Card Trials at Birubi Beach.

Members of the club are set to compete in the trial, as well as other Surfest events including the Orica Team Challenge, Sanbah Cadet Cup, and nib Pro Junior.

The club’s first competition day will be held on Sunday, February 17.

Membership forms are also available at Anna Bay Surf Bike and Skate, Tsunami Surfer, Kaos Surf and Graffiti Surf Designs. For more information about joining contact Deb Stretton 0419 498 101 or Astley on 0428 845 388.