Fa'ase'e

The spirit of friendship and support that developed during the week of the competition. It was a great gathering of Pacific Island Ambassadors.

John Cvetko - Secretary

'Cloud Break' rated as one of the best ten waves in the world.

I was welcomed in Fiji by a great group of ambassadors from different countries. I say great because although we were preparing to enter the competition, they were very supportive. I was there, for the first time in an international event, afraid of the waves in a sea I did not know and had not experienced before. The other surfers gave me great encouragement, which helped me overcome the doubts I had about this ocean and myself. The waves were soo BIG!!!, my legs were still trembling when I caught my first wave. Once I got thrashed from my first wave, the fear left to give way to a newfound confidence. This confidence that I cherished lifted my surfing spirit, not only on the ocean waves but also on the waves of my life.

Thanks to support from Manumea T -Shirt Factory, the SSRA now has a voice on Magic FM. Under their surf-clothing label, Tsunami Surf Gear, the company sponsors a fifteen-minute 'Tsunami Surf Report' every Saturday morning on Magic. Anyone who has an interesting surf story should contact John Cvetko by Thursday each week. He will then forward on a fax to the station every Friday.

The SSRA constitution has been finalised and is about to be submitted to the Justice Department for incorporation. Anyone wishing to view the constitution may contact the committee for a copy.

Samoa has been formally invited to the competition in Tonga at the start of May. The team consists of Damien Meredith, Gunther Kruse, Charlie Vaai and George Leslie as official.

Gunther and George will also be discussing the possibility of a regional competition in Samoa from next year. The guys leave on the second of May.

The SSRA has a goal of fielding full teams in future competitions. For this to occur we need female representatives. Any females wishing to learn or improve should contact the committee members.

SSRA is trying to source some funding for training equipment in the form of Mac T boards. Once acquired, we will be conducting training courses at a village near by. Watch this space for more information.

So you can plan your surf trips in advance, every month in Fa'ase'e we will be listing the tides for the coming month.

The next SSRA Body Board competition will be held at Solosolo beach on Saturday 22nd of April. The competition starts at 2.00pm. All competitors should be there at 1.45 for the draw. Any competitors not there by then will be ineligible to compete.

The next Surf Competition should be held around the 27th of May, hopefully on the South side in some big surf. More information soon, stay tuned.

As we increase the level of competitions and training we will need to generate some funds to cover the basic costs. Whilst sponsors have been more than generous, we can't always expect them to support us for everything we need. The annual fees will be as follows.

Under 18 : $5 Tala

Over 18 : $20 Tala

The SSRA will shortly set the date from which this will become effective. The committee has discussed the possibility of fund raising to generate the membership fees of villagers who may not be able to raise the funds.

Whilst we are using the logo above, kindly knocked together by one of our committee members, we are also looking for a formal association logo. If anyone has any ideas, put a drawing on paper and forward it to the committee by the 20th of May. All entries will remain the property of the association. Prizes will be offered for the best three designs.

Sa'moana and Salani Surf resorts are just about to start their peak seasons. Come on those Southern Seas. Sa'moana have just had a crew surfing and filming around Samoa. The daily antics were down loaded to the web nightly. Check it out on www.surfingworld.com/

samoalive

Anyone who thought that Tupa’i Bruno had repainted his circus boat and rocked back into town last week, made the same mistake that we did. It was actually the Quicksilver boat 'Indies Trader' stopping of in Samoa on it's around the world surf excursion. We saw it again on Saturday chugging past TT's at Aganoa, two hours after some sensational waves had made for a great morning there. They'll have to wake up earlier if they're going to get the good ones!

But Seriously, a BIG Talofa Lava to Alan Green and his family, owner of Quicksilver, on board at the moment taking in the great waves and coastline of Samoa. Hope you all have a great time in our waters.

Talofa Guys and Girls

Welcome to Samoa's waves. You'll be well aware this isn't beginner country and that coral cuts hurt. Remember safety first and make sure you're with people that know how to support responsible surfing. Keith from Savaii Safaris in Savaii is legendary for finding waves and runs a great operation. On Upolu, Salani Surf Resort and Sa'moana are both great operators. These guys have the experience and the know how to keep you out of trouble.

If solo trekking is your way, there are a number of things you need to be aware of.

Samoans are a proud group of people, steeped in tradition and culture. Before going surfing at any village sites you must ask the Matai (Chief) or Village Committee. DON'T just hit the beach. Always show modesty and keep yourself properly attired, wearing shorts or lavalava and a top while in the village grounds. Women should not wear bikinis or revealing swim-wear on village beaches. If in doubt, ASK. The Samoa Visitors Bureau information fale on Beach Road is always a good place to ask about issues you may not be sure about and they also have a list of things to do when the surfs flat.

( Times only - no heights given - High Tides are underlined )

1-0437, 1046, 1657, 2300

2-0517, 1130, 1740, 2343

3-0601, 1215, 1827

4-0028, 0648, 1305, 1917

5-0116, 0739, 1359, 2012

6-0211, 0834, 1458, 2113

7-0312, 0935, 1602, 2219

8-0418, 1042, 1711, 2331

9-0530, 1153, 1821

10-0041, 0643, 1302, 1928

11-0145, 0750, 1406, 2027

12-0240, 0850, 1503, 2118

13-0330, 0943, 1554, 2202

14-0415, 1029, 1640, 2243

15-0456, 1111, 1722, 2320

16-0535, 1149, 1801, 2356

17-0612, 1227, 1839

18-0030, 0646, 1303, 1915

19-0106, 0722, 1340, 1952

20-0145, 0759, 1419, 2031

21-0226, 0838, 1501, 2116

22-0313, 0923, 1549, 2209

23-0405, 1014, 1642, 2310

24-0503, 1112, 1740

25-0011, 0602, 1214, 1837

26-0106, 0700, 1313, 1930

27-0154, 0754, 1405, 2017

28-0237, 0845, 1454, 2102

29-0319, 0932, 1542, 2145

30-0403, 1020, 1630, 2230

31-0449, 1109, 1719, 2317

Remember the least movement in water height (level) is an hour before to an hour after the high or the low tide. That means that the water level will rise or fall pretty quickly in the middle four or so hours between the tides. Really important if your surfing a high tide break - Watch that coral.

Tides are higher and lower the normal around a full moon and a black moon (no Moon). In May that's around the 3rd and 17th respectively. This could mean that low tides breaks become dangerously shallow so take some extra care.

We encourage the policy of whatever you take in you bring out - please dispose of rubbish thoughtfully and properly.

For all those guy 'n' gals out there giving Body Boarding and Surfing a bit of a go, there are some things you need to remember.

Always surf with someone else - Don't surf alone

Always check out the place your going before jumping in the water-shallows, rocks, etc.

Don't go into surf that is beyond your ability

• Before you hit the waves, learn how to swim

Gunther Kruse - President

John Cvetko - Secretary

Damien Meredith-C'tee

Billy Peters-C'tee

Adam Ferenczy-C'tee

(We'll check with the boys before the next issue so we can add the phone numbers)

We've come along way since January and have all these companies and people to thank. Your support has been fantastic!!!!

(Gone Surfin' Airlines)

(XCLNT - Paul & George)

(Faafetai Luna & Norman)

(Vinaka Vakalevu Colin)

(Right On Steven & John)

(Cool Clothes)

(Cool City Digs)

(Cool got everything shop)

(Cool Music)

(Very Cool Minister of Environment and SVB)

(Cool brothers in Surf)

That's it for our first newsletter. Let's hope we can keep up the pace and roll these out on a monthly basis. Expected date of release will be about 14th of each month. Gunther's working on a web site at the moment so it may get onto that one day. In the meantime we'll ask the Visitors Bureau if we can put them out at the Beach Fale. 'Till the next issue, Surf Hard, Surf Safe.

Ed.