Long -time manager and now partner, Nick Clifford, has bought into Zink Surf on Terralong Street, Kiama.Nick, who was born and bred in Kiama, has been on staff for 12 years and manager for ten.Co-owner Darren Longbottom said the time felt right to take on a business partner.“We celebrate 20 years this year, so it’s been a long innings for retail, but fun at the same time. Nick matched my enthusiasm for surfing and business so it was a great fit,” Darren said.“Nick is ambitious and wants to look after his family whilst working in the industry, plus he gets to surf more! They were the same things that drove me back when I was at his age.”Nick has a commerce degree and has been surfing up and down the coast for most of his life. He coaches, and knows not only the latest wetsuits and boards but also the history of local and Australian surfing.“Surfing has never been bigger and working with Daz (Darren), I’ve learnt a lot about the business side. There’s always new products coming on to the market and new ways to market them,” Nick said.“Nick will be more of the face you see on the floor.” Darren said. “I look after the more macro-type details. I’m a bit weird as I like the administration side and forward planning.”“We’ll keep trying to separate our locally driven store from the bigger national so-called “surf stores” (which they are not). We are an actual surf store, not those found in shopping centres. We’re both very much immersed in surfing and just want to share that with everyone that’s interested. Hopefully people value that,” Darren said.Zink Surf store has a die-hard following with surfers up and down the coast, as it offers the best advice and products available in the surf space for the region.Darren thanks everyone for their support for the last twenty years.“We’ve employed all local crew and I’m proud to call all of them as friends. A lot of ups and downs like any other business but hopefully at the end of the day I’ve helped some young grommet, first time surfer or even the experienced with some products and tips,” Darren said.“I’m not going anywhere so Nick and everyone else is still stuck with me.”Research from the Australian National University found surfing injects $2.7 billion into the Australian economy each year, with surfing considered to be the country's second-most popular water-based sport after swimming.Keep an eye out for Zink’s 20-year celebration at the end of the year.

As the 2024 Summer Olympics ended in Paris on Sunday, 11 August, Team Australia wrapped up its most successful Games ever with our local Olympians making their mark. Saya Sakakibara of Helensburgh won Australia’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in BMX Racing and Wollongong’s Jessica Hull won a sensational silver in the women’s 1500m, becoming the first Australian woman ever to win an Olympic medal in the event.A record-breaking Olympic campaignAfter two weeks of competition, Australia finished fourth overall in the medal tally with a total of 53 medals: 18 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze. The fifty-three medals beat the previous record of 50 medals set at the Summer Olympics in Athens 2004, and 18 gold medals surpass the record of 17 gold medals from the Athens 2004 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.“This is a special team,” says Australian Olympic Team’s Chef de Mission Anna Meares. “We all know it’s hard to be selected on the Australian team, let alone win a medal or become an Olympic champion. It takes dedication to excellence over years, not just here in Paris. So, to the member sports, thank you and to the athletes, we are very proud of you.”The original Team Australia increased in size from 460 to 467 athletes because of additions due to injury replacements.BMX Racing-gold, a first for AustraliaThe Tokyo Summer Olympics became synonymous with heartache for Saya Sakakibara, after she crashed out in the semi-finals. Three years later in Paris, 24-year-old Sakakibara not only got on the podium but took home Australia’s first-ever BMX Racing Olympic gold medal.“I’ve run out of tears,” she said to the Australian Olympic Committee after the medal ceremony.“I just wanted to leave here having enjoyed the experience and having put everything out there, and be able to look back on the videos of my performance and be like ‘yeah I’m proud of that’ and I definitely did.”In an epic performance over two days, Sakakibara won all her three heats in the quarter-finals and all three semi-finals before nailing the final.She produced her trademark speed out of the start gate and never looked back, landing the gold ahead of Nederland’s Manon Veenstra and Switzerland’s Zoé Claessens.Historic silver in the 1,500m eventJessica Hull delivered a stunning silver medal after an amazing 1500m final. “I thought, I just want to run for gold and if I miss, I hope I get a medal,” Hull said afterwards to the Australian Olympic Committee. Kenyan world record holder, and one of the all-time greats, Faith Kipyegon, was the clear-out favourite to the gold. But 27-year-old Hull put in an incredible sprint to win silver with a finishing time of 3:52.56, becoming the first Australian woman to medal in the 1500m event at the Olympics.“I’m just excited to be part of history. And I think I might have opened the floodgates for the junior girls back home that are running the 1500,” she added.Watch parties, coffee and woolly jumpersAOC’s Anna Meares continued to thank the support team, i.e. the volunteers and the staff at the Australian Olympic Committee, before extending a thank you to everyone supporting back home.“The time difference did not deter Australians. Channel Nine’s TV ratings show more than 19 million Australians watched the Games with some 9 million tuning in each day to see our Team compete,” she says.“There were more than 500 live sites back home and thousands of watch parties. That’s a lot of coffee and woolly jumpers.”On Wednesday morning, 14 August, the Olympic team will return to Australian soil.However, the Summer Olympics are hardly over. On August 28, the Paralympics kick off with over 11 days of competition. Be sure to tune in and bring out the green and gold once again!For a full recap of our local Olympians’ results, please refer to the next print issue on 24 August.Welcome Home celebrationsThroughout September and October, there will be several ‘Welcome Home’ celebrations together with members of the Australian Paralympic Team throughout the country:

In its 39th year, the Shoalhaven Dressage Club proudly maintains its status as the South Coast of NSW's largest Official Dressage Club. Throughout its rich history, the club has consistently drawn in top-tier riders, many excelling at State, National, and even International levels. The past year has been no exception, accomplished equestrians such as Alycia Targa, Pamela Bice, James Collin, Catherine Chittenden, and Charlotte Phillips represented the club and the region with distinction at numerous major competitions across the country.The club recently hosted its 39th Annual Awards ceremony—an anticipated evening announcement of the Completely Equine Horse and Rider of the Year. The deserving recipient of this award was James Collin, demonstrating his exceptional riding atop Bellissimo Stud & Agistment Centre’s Horse, Bellissimo Laurenzo. The memorable moment was captured in a striking photo by B M Photography. The event also celebrated other riders, with Abigail Kus winning the Nowra Coaches Junior Rider of the Year title riding CP Lord Alfred. Tanya Lekluse secured the Bishop’s South Nowra Preparatory Champion of the Year award riding The Mockingbird.Further acknowledging excellence in various categories, the club honoured the following individuals and their equine partners:Bellissimo Agistment Centre Preliminary Champion of the Year: Teale Drummond riding GeorgeIllawarra Equine Veterinary Novice Champion of the Year: Linda Elkins riding FlokiSalway Rural Development Elementary Champion of the Year: James Collin riding LaurenzoNeversfelde Medium Champion of the Year: Catherine Chittenden riding Bluefields BelliniJervis Bay Stockfeeds Pony of the Year: Kaleena Matthews riding Kirrang RosewoodPB Dressage Veteran Horse of the Year: Carolyn Hartley riding Mister PipsterThe Shoalhaven Dressage Club continues to be a thriving hub for equestrian excellence, fostering a legacy of skilled riders and their exceptional equine partners.

Mark your calendars, the Jamberoo Car Show and Family Day will be back on Sunday, 27 October. This year’s show, a key feature of the Jamberoo Big Weekend, will be held at Jamberoo’s Kevin Walsh Oval with approximately 500 classic cars on display.“In addition to a display of over 500 classic vehicles, the show will include a display from NSW Police and Fire & Rescue, as well as the opportunity for children to sit in a Boral cement truck,” said Committee Member, Steve Whitworth. “Show favourites, the children’s farmyard & bouncy castle, will also be returning along with live music and various food & drink outlets. Look out for Jamberoo Valley Meat’s special ‘Show Sausage’!"The funds raised from the day will go towards the Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade and local community groups. In a Facebook post, the Jamberoo Car Show & Family Day extends a ‘huge thank you’ to Gareth Ward for assisting the show in securing funding for three years from Boral.

In mid to late August, the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) will put the spotlight on indigenous netball players with events over two consecutive weekends.On Saturday August 17, KNA hosts the indigenous round with the involvement of several of their members. “An Acknowledgement of country, artistic works and other features for the round will occur to acknowledge the land we play on in Kiama, the local Indigenous community and in support of the Indigenous members who make up part of our Association,” says KNA president, Michelle Gregory.The indigenous round will be followed by Netball NSW hosting their Koori Gala Day on Sunday, 25 August. The gala day encourages teams of indigenous and non-indigenous players to come together for a fun day of netball. “Registrations are still open, and we are happy to take inquiries via email,” says Gregory.

On Tuesday afternoon, 30 July, Japanese exchange students in Kiama came together with local students for a day of soccer.For one week, the Lopes family hosted two Japanese exchange students, 11-year-old Ruka and Kinari, through UAH Homestay. Kinari came from Okinawa and Ruka from the northern prefecture of Tokyo. “It was short and sweet. We do it again. My boys loved it,” the family says.With the Lopes boys, Liam and Blake, playing soccer as part of the Kiama Junior Football Club, they thought it would be a great idea to get the Japanese exchange students together with the local children for a day of fun.Japanese exchange students Ruka and Kinari with the Lopes boys Liam and Blake. Credit: The Lopes family.The students were staying with local families and attended Kiama Public School for English lessons. Local dad “Marky Mark” (Mark Mitchell) ran the training session, featuring music and different activities. There were about 20 players from the Kiama Junior Football Club along with the nine Japanese boys. The Kiama Junior Football Club donated nine jerseys and KJFC President Andrew Wales presented the students with the soccer jerseys after the session.  “Kinari told his parents that he wanted to move to Kiama when he’s older,” says the Lopes family.

Finally after three cancelled competitions we are happy to announce our next Official Competition will be held on the 18th August at our home grounds.  We are hoping with the hype of the Olympics and spectacular performances by local rider Jayden Brown and a medal winning performance by Eventer Chris Burton, people will be excited and enthusiastic to come out to compete. 

On Saturday 3 August, the Kiama Softball Association held their annual TG Cup at the Chapman Oval Kiama, which has been our home ground for the last 40 years.The TG Cup began in 2011 as a fun gala day in memory of Tanya Gehrmann, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2010, and of all the women that we have lost over the years.Credit: Kiama Softball Association.It was a sensational day, full of crazy dressed-up themed teams all vying for the prestigious ‘Cup.’Interested in playing softball? Then, check out Kiama Women's Softball Facebook page round May 2025 for registration details.

Back home playing at Kiama Showground for the first time in a month, Kiama Rugby Union Football beat Bowral Blacks 63-8 in Saturday’s game.It was quite the homecoming for round 16 with blue skies, a great crowd and the sausage sizzle bar serving it up, running out of both snags and steak sandwiches before the end of game time.Kiama first grade had hardly taken to the field before they scored a try, followed by a successful conversion. The southeastern corner became a favourite with Kiama striking there again and again. Bowral got a good try but it was all happy days for the home team, who won by a final score of 63-8.Kiama first grade -- try scorers: Jasper Scobie (2), James Asquith, Matt Forsyth, Elisha Leota (2), Raynold Taufa, Nico Cowley (2) and Cade Patrick (2).Kiama chasing.Crouch, bind, set.“We’ll take the fitness and the little things that we’ve been doing. We’ve been trying to work on just attention to details. That’s what we’re looking at the next three games, attention to details, our efforts. That’s what I’m looking forward to most, just the effort areas and just getting more game time,” says coach James Patrick.Kiama played its second to last home game this past weekend. There are only two games left of the regular season. Next Saturday 10 August, they face Camden at home and the last game will be away against the Vikings on Saturday, 17 August.“We’re back to playing every week, building for the finals. It’ll be good. Looking forward to it,” coach Patrick continues.After the weekend’s win, Kiama first grade currently sits in third place on the Illawarra District Rugby Union 2024 Senior Ladder. Shoalhaven senior grade leads with Campbelltown in second. Kiama second grade holds off Bowral in a close game.The Kima second grade also sits on third place on the ladder after their game against Bowral. It was an entertaining game that came down to the wire, with the Kiama backline producing some very nice quick hands and crisp conversions. Final score: Kiama 24 - Bowral 22.Kiama second grade -- try scorers: Sione Lufe, Joseph Osbourne, Anitoni Tanni and Rory Lawrence.

WERRI BEACH BOARDRIDERSSHREDDERS

WERRI BEACH BOARDRIDERS CARVERS

WERRI BEACH BOARDRIDERSCHARGERS

KIAMA SENIOR NETBALLDIVISION 2BEACHETTES 2 - 73 d GERRINGONG 3 - 16

KIAMA SENIOR NETBALLDIVISION 2GERRINGONG 2 - 34 d GAINSBOROUGH 2 - 32

KIAMA SENIOR NETBALLDIVISION 3KIAMA DOWNS 3 - 41 d GERRINGONG 4 - 40

KIAMA JUNIOR NETBALLCADET ABEACHETTES 4 - 24 d CENTRAL 6 - 13

KIAMA SOFTBALL ASSOCIATIONTG CUP

KIAMA JFCFEMALE FOOTBALL DAY & DAWN POWER ROUNDGERRINGONG BREAKERS 8 WHITE 1 d KIAMA JFC 8 YELLOW 0

KIAMA JFCFEMALE FOOTBALL DAY & DAWN POWER ROUNDDAPTO 3 d KIAMA JFC 8 BLACK 2