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The Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge
presented by Rockstar Games
Iinternational Bodyboarding Association
Shark Island, Cronulla, NSW
27 June - 31July 2006
Trials – In memory of Brett Young: 16th – 18th of June
Local Standout and Wildcard Andrew Lester Talks About Going Deep for $40,000
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 May, 2006 : - - Australian Andrew Lester enters the Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge as a local Wildcard! What’s the go there you may ask! What happened last year - Why isn’t he in the top 16! Andrew has dominated the top level of this sport for years – constantly winning events / constantly pushing himself towards that goal that he has been striving for – his first world title – will this year see the return of Andrew Lester.
Interview by Mark Fordham
What has been happening lately Andy? Give us a quick summary of the last 12 months in the life of Andy Lester.
The past 12 months have been a little up and down for me. I had a really good first heat in last years Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge and felt really good for the next few events. Unfortunately I couldn't find my rhythm and ended low in the ratings.
After the end of last years IBA World Men’s tour you ended up missing the cut for the top 16. For the first time it looks as if you will have to fight your way through the earlier rounds?
Basically – The last year of the WST being 2004- comprised of a top 24. When the WST merged with the WQT which was a top 16 at the time, a decision was made that it would be the top 20 for 2005. This was a transitional year and would go back to top 16 in the second year(2006).
It was to make things fair for the leading riders in both tours being the top 16 WST riders and the top 4 WQT riders, then for 2006 it would be again scaled down to the top 16. I’m looking forward to competing in the earlier rounds. Being in the top 16 for so long, you tend to get a little lazy. So hopefully it works in my favour and I can take down the top rated guys.
At The Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro you needed to do well, how was the event and what happened during that heat?
Going into the pipe event I knew I needed to do well. So my game plan was to get a wave quickly at the start and then wait for the sets. I ended up waiting the last 14 minutes of a 25 minute heat. The waves just didn't come.
Once you realised that you weren’t going to make the top 16 for next year what was going through your mind? Did you have any thoughts of having a year off?
I was pretty upset after the event. I didn't perform and in turn I will now have to pay the consequences. A year off for me though was never an option. I'm here to win a world title and I’ll pursue that for as long as it takes.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned on tour in 2005? Do you feel like you need to change something or train harder?
The most valuable lesson I learnt last year was to not take things for granted. You have to earn and work hard for everything you get. I've been training harder for this years challenge than I have in my career.
Last years CSIC ended with a lack of waves. What was your reaction to the announcement for equal points and equal prize money for all quarter finalists on the last possible day of last years waiting period? Do you think it was the right decision made? Did it affect your plans for the world title race?
I was really disappointed with how last years event finished. At Cronulla Point when it came down to a vote, there were only 3 riders out of 16 who wanted to compete. Ben Player, Mitch Rawlins and myself. I was hoping it didn't come to a vote. It's easy to say now whether it was the right or wrong decision. It happened and I can't do anything about it.
I would have surfed on the day the decision was made but the others voted against it. With having equal points with everyone else, it meant I couldn't drop an event. So every comp I entered counted to my overall point score.
Do you ever get that feeling like you’re the favorite going into your local home break event? Does it feel like having a bull’s-eye on you- with everybody want to beat you. Does this have an effect on your mental preparation for the CSIC?
I wouldn't say I’m the favorite, I think I have a good knowledge of the wave and the other riders are aware of that. Every year I go out to win the event, if other riders are worrying about what I’m doing then that's going to put them off. But mentally I know I can beat anyone out there, it's a matter of doing it in a 30 minute heat, and then going out and doing it 3 more times.
Current IBA world champion Ben Player will be a marked man for this first International event for 2006, Is Ben a threat to you? Who do you consider the toughest opposition for this year’s event?
Ben is a definite threat in the event, he comes down and put some time in out there leading up to the contest. The past winners are threats because they know what it takes to win.
Your peers on the WMT considered you one of the best free surfers in the world, do you enter an event with this philosophy or do you have a planned strategic attack for the heat. How do you prepare yourself?
In the island event I try and go off instinct. I try and think that I am free surfing and stay relaxed. In other events I change my strategy to what the surf is doing.
What do you do when the surf is flat!
Lately I’ve been going to the gym and then go for a paddle on the big clubby boards. Kick a footy in the afternoon. Go for a swim, just kill time.
Describe your perfect day.
Perfect day for me would be a king high tide at 9.30am with an 8ft south east swell and light west winds. On the way home find a lottery ticket. Win big on that and then sit down and watch the sharkies win the NRL premiership. Go out to celebrate and find the woman of my dreams, who likes me too.
Who are your surfing mates at home?
I surf with Alex Leon and Ringa mainly. Whoever's around? Few of the younger guys like Johnny Showell and Jacko.
What is your standard board these days?
These days I’m riding a 41 inch Dow board with a stringer combo, with a cresent tail and nose bulbs. It is a pretty simple shape that works for me.
From the first time you ever picked up a Bodyboard, did you ever imagine being in the position you are today?
Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would get to do this. Go to the places I’ve been and the people I’ve meet. I'm so stoked with my career and achievements.
What’s planned after the CSIC for Andrew Lester! What do you hope to achieve for this year on tour? What events will you target / any surf trips planned ?
My plans for this year are to compete on the IBA WMT tour and really push for a world title. Everything I’m doing is going towards that goal.
For all your official and up to date information
www.cronullasharkislandchallenge.com
Source: http://www.globalsurfnews.com/news.asp?Id_news=21891
presented by Rockstar Games
Iinternational Bodyboarding Association
Shark Island, Cronulla, NSW
27 June - 31July 2006
Trials – In memory of Brett Young: 16th – 18th of June
Local Standout and Wildcard Andrew Lester Talks About Going Deep for $40,000
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 May, 2006 : - - Australian Andrew Lester enters the Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge as a local Wildcard! What’s the go there you may ask! What happened last year - Why isn’t he in the top 16! Andrew has dominated the top level of this sport for years – constantly winning events / constantly pushing himself towards that goal that he has been striving for – his first world title – will this year see the return of Andrew Lester.
Interview by Mark Fordham
What has been happening lately Andy? Give us a quick summary of the last 12 months in the life of Andy Lester.
The past 12 months have been a little up and down for me. I had a really good first heat in last years Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge and felt really good for the next few events. Unfortunately I couldn't find my rhythm and ended low in the ratings.
After the end of last years IBA World Men’s tour you ended up missing the cut for the top 16. For the first time it looks as if you will have to fight your way through the earlier rounds?
Basically – The last year of the WST being 2004- comprised of a top 24. When the WST merged with the WQT which was a top 16 at the time, a decision was made that it would be the top 20 for 2005. This was a transitional year and would go back to top 16 in the second year(2006).
It was to make things fair for the leading riders in both tours being the top 16 WST riders and the top 4 WQT riders, then for 2006 it would be again scaled down to the top 16. I’m looking forward to competing in the earlier rounds. Being in the top 16 for so long, you tend to get a little lazy. So hopefully it works in my favour and I can take down the top rated guys.
At The Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro you needed to do well, how was the event and what happened during that heat?
Going into the pipe event I knew I needed to do well. So my game plan was to get a wave quickly at the start and then wait for the sets. I ended up waiting the last 14 minutes of a 25 minute heat. The waves just didn't come.
Once you realised that you weren’t going to make the top 16 for next year what was going through your mind? Did you have any thoughts of having a year off?
I was pretty upset after the event. I didn't perform and in turn I will now have to pay the consequences. A year off for me though was never an option. I'm here to win a world title and I’ll pursue that for as long as it takes.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned on tour in 2005? Do you feel like you need to change something or train harder?
The most valuable lesson I learnt last year was to not take things for granted. You have to earn and work hard for everything you get. I've been training harder for this years challenge than I have in my career.
Last years CSIC ended with a lack of waves. What was your reaction to the announcement for equal points and equal prize money for all quarter finalists on the last possible day of last years waiting period? Do you think it was the right decision made? Did it affect your plans for the world title race?
I was really disappointed with how last years event finished. At Cronulla Point when it came down to a vote, there were only 3 riders out of 16 who wanted to compete. Ben Player, Mitch Rawlins and myself. I was hoping it didn't come to a vote. It's easy to say now whether it was the right or wrong decision. It happened and I can't do anything about it.
I would have surfed on the day the decision was made but the others voted against it. With having equal points with everyone else, it meant I couldn't drop an event. So every comp I entered counted to my overall point score.
Do you ever get that feeling like you’re the favorite going into your local home break event? Does it feel like having a bull’s-eye on you- with everybody want to beat you. Does this have an effect on your mental preparation for the CSIC?
I wouldn't say I’m the favorite, I think I have a good knowledge of the wave and the other riders are aware of that. Every year I go out to win the event, if other riders are worrying about what I’m doing then that's going to put them off. But mentally I know I can beat anyone out there, it's a matter of doing it in a 30 minute heat, and then going out and doing it 3 more times.
Current IBA world champion Ben Player will be a marked man for this first International event for 2006, Is Ben a threat to you? Who do you consider the toughest opposition for this year’s event?
Ben is a definite threat in the event, he comes down and put some time in out there leading up to the contest. The past winners are threats because they know what it takes to win.
Your peers on the WMT considered you one of the best free surfers in the world, do you enter an event with this philosophy or do you have a planned strategic attack for the heat. How do you prepare yourself?
In the island event I try and go off instinct. I try and think that I am free surfing and stay relaxed. In other events I change my strategy to what the surf is doing.
What do you do when the surf is flat!
Lately I’ve been going to the gym and then go for a paddle on the big clubby boards. Kick a footy in the afternoon. Go for a swim, just kill time.
Describe your perfect day.
Perfect day for me would be a king high tide at 9.30am with an 8ft south east swell and light west winds. On the way home find a lottery ticket. Win big on that and then sit down and watch the sharkies win the NRL premiership. Go out to celebrate and find the woman of my dreams, who likes me too.
Who are your surfing mates at home?
I surf with Alex Leon and Ringa mainly. Whoever's around? Few of the younger guys like Johnny Showell and Jacko.
What is your standard board these days?
These days I’m riding a 41 inch Dow board with a stringer combo, with a cresent tail and nose bulbs. It is a pretty simple shape that works for me.
From the first time you ever picked up a Bodyboard, did you ever imagine being in the position you are today?
Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would get to do this. Go to the places I’ve been and the people I’ve meet. I'm so stoked with my career and achievements.
What’s planned after the CSIC for Andrew Lester! What do you hope to achieve for this year on tour? What events will you target / any surf trips planned ?
My plans for this year are to compete on the IBA WMT tour and really push for a world title. Everything I’m doing is going towards that goal.
For all your official and up to date information
www.cronullasharkislandchallenge.com
Source: http://www.globalsurfnews.com/news.asp?Id_news=21891