ICEA Classic 2011
The 2nd Annual ICEA Classic was held on the 22nd of July down at Cottesloe reefs, on a wintery day which did nothing to take away the pre-event excitement that was being felt by all involved. The competition this year hosted 60 up and coming local surfers from around the metropolitan area as well as some eager competitors from the south-west surfing community. With some fantastic sponsorship and generosity from Shell, the ICEA Classic rocked out in style hosting over 600 spectators. The event kicked off at sunrise on a brisk, chilly morning upon which competitors, spectators and parents were welcomed to country and told dreamtime stories of the ocean by local Nyoongar elder Noel Nannup. This was followed with various workshops throughout the day based upon raising awareness and educating the ICEA Classic crowd on Aboriginal culture and their strong link with the environment. The crowd was also treated to some sensational surfing throughout the day with various boys and girls divisions, as well as the infamous ICEA Classic Tag-Team. New to the event this year was the introduction of the expression session, which saw all competitors enter the line-up and surf with some local Western Australia surfing professional including Jay Davies, Paul Patterson and Brett Hardy. Young local DJs kept the crowd going at the event, as well as the much anticipated ICEA Classic After-Party, which in itself was a massive success with 280 attendees.The story of the ICEA Classic does not end here though, preparations and planning have already begun into next years Classic and ICEA Waves program. The ICEA Waves program initially established in 2010 in recognition and appreciation of the strong link between the ocean and Aboriginal people throughout Australia, plans to extend its reach on the Western Australia Aboriginal community through a mentor surfing program, set to begin late this year. This program will undoubtedly contribute to one of ICEA's major goals of reconciliation through integration of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures.