CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
As Summer comes screaming in for yet another year, the surf clubs around Australia are once again experiencing an influx of holiday home owners and tourists.
As the purveyor of universal pleasures like battered flake and cold schooners, the surf club is often recognised as the most important community institution in any coastal town.
But there are rules.
Some are quite strictly implemented, some are forgivable. Surf club etiquette can catch up even the most polite city-slicker.
However, simple things like the usual sign-in process should be a given for most Australians.
Similar to the RSL, the idea of wearing a hat inside is also generally frowned upon, as is bringing sand in with you onto the tiles of the front bar. but the failure to acknowledge these traditions isn’t exactly worthy of a life ban.
However, the most staunchly policed house rules are the after-dark dress codes.
Patrons and members must wear shirts and shoes if they are to enter the bar or bistro after 5:30pm.
Unless of course they are the one or two local identities to achieve ‘legend’ status amongst members.
Local roofer, Sunny Peterson (63) is one of these old leathermen.
Sitting out the back at one of the long tables at the local club, Sunny has been drinking since he came him from a couple waves at 3pm.
It’s currently 7pm, and he’s still making trips back and forth from the bar at in nothing but a pair of fading boardies.
This has led most of the tourists, who are kitted out in ironed button up shirts, trousers and dress shoes – to assume that he must have been a hell of a surfer back in his day.
Or a pantsman, or a life guard, maybe even a representative rugby league player – either way, he is above the law in this sleepy small town establishment.
His mates, who are sitting just below legend status in singlets and thongs, also seem to be keeping a cracking pace.
At time of press, Sunny was behind the bar helping himself to a couple extra nips of rum for the tray of sugarcane champagne he just ordered.
This indicates that Sunny is also above the Queensland Government’s Alcohol and Gaming License laws.
MORE TO COME.
