SB-issue59_digital

BOYS
IN
BLUE
news
This time last year, the Australian
Police & Emergency Services
(AP&ES) Games were held in
Rotorua with the surfing part of
the program taking place at the
world-famous Manu Bay, Raglan.
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Die-hard Smorgasboarder supporter, former ambo,
and President of QUESST (Queensland Emergency
Services Surfboard riders Team), Paul Tuckett,
along with Shane Panoho, the surfing event
coordinator for the QPES (Queensland Police and
Emergency Services) Games, flew the flag for the
mighty cane toads. Unfortunately, things didn't go
as well as they had hoped. Shane filled us in.
“The Queensland surfers (Paul Tuckett and I) let
the team down. Nil medals. The surf gods did not
smile favourably upon us either, with the swell
dropping to near non-existent. This resulted in the
four-day event being run and done in two.
“Paul made the final of the Over 55’s, but after
leading the final with only two minutes to go, he
somehow went from first to fourth. Choked.
“It was a great experience nonetheless, and
we got to see the wave potential of one of the
world’s most revered left-hand breaks. Of equal
importance was the great camaraderie shared
between competitors, with everyone supporting
and encouraging those out in the water who were
making the most of the trying conditions.”
Providing insight into the formation of QUESST
and how all this came to be in the first place, and
how he and 'Pannas' made the journey across the
ditch, Paul had this to say.
“QUESST is made up of emergency services
personnel past, present, and hopefully future.
We developed the club for the mental health and
wellbeing of the participants. We have surfboard
meetings and competitions up to four times a year
and try to have a local trip away as well. This was a
particularly special one.”
Tasmania will play host to the 2025 AP&ES Games,
with the event scheduled for 15 - 22 March in
Hobart.
In the meantime, the QPES Games surfing program
is scheduled to be held on North Stradbroke
Island. The event will be run across a three-day
window, from 14 - 16 May 2024, to take advantage
of renown local breaks at Cylinder, Frenchman’s,
and/or Main Beach, with surf conditions dictating
which beach is utilised on the day.
The QPES Games surfing program will embrace
the game's ethos of friendship and inclusiveness
to encourage surfers of all abilities from 'novice' to
'perceived pro' to 'get on board'. The competition
will incorporate shortboard, longboard, SUP, foil,
knee, and boogie board categories.
It is anticipated that there will be approximately 40
competitors, with family and friends welcome to
attend the festival.
The games are a celebration of Queensland’s
Emergency Service personnel, and everyone is
welcome to come along and show their support
for Queensland’s everyday heroes.
To register or find out more, go to qpesg.org.au.