As sure as night follows day, the cycles come and go at the Shoes reef.
Over the decades, heaps of family members have joined up and competed in different divisions and/or against each other.
In recent years, whole families have become members of the Club, taking part across the current three divisions.
The Horners, Hatheiers, Moffatts, Martins, Hvasses…the list is long, and adding a special layer of comradeship and spirit to proceedings.
But this year there’s a unique family association.
New SuperGrom’s member Darcy Turner, who competed for the first time on 6 March, is linked to Shoes bloodlines going back to the late 80s and early 90s.
Darcy, 11, is the son of Carla Turner, the sister of Rob and Todd Shaeffer, who basically grew up on the Reef and surfed it relentlessly from boyhood to manhood.
Darcy’s uncles were gun riders at both Shoes proper and the Alley, and as is customary for longtime regulars, lost plenty of blood and skin on the reef over the years, not to mention picking up plenty of sea urchin spines!
So while Darcy is only new to the Shoes scene, and still finding his feet out the back, he can be very proud of his blue ribbon pedigree.
The great Shoes tradition lives on!
Whats Cabbo doing in the supergroms, I know he looks young for an old bastard, but come on, he should be in old timers with Syd and Johnny Vass.
G’day to all from old Shoes local – GO
looks like the fishermans trying to catch a grommie !
That Fisherman could be the Badge. Just making sure he’s not missing out on anything.
Go Moose.