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The Dukes
Named after legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, the Swanny Dukes is a club open to all Active Members of Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club.
We promote knowledge and awareness of all oceanic endeavours spanning a range of craft and activities. The main objective is to get the most fun out of every session in the water.
We aim to give Members, from beginner to advanced, total awareness and mastery in all oceanic endeavours, whilst encouraging a fun and active outlook to water activities throughout the year, especially in the winter months.
The Swanny Dukes will aim to strengthen SNSLSC’s ties within its own member group and entice new members to join and participate. The Swanny Dukes will raise money to put towards a variety of alternative surf riding equipment, such as SUP boards, as well as trips and events that are available to Duke members. The Dukes will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of these craft.
Swanny Dukes
The Swanny dukes Invitational
Created in 2013, the Swanny Dukes Invitational Board Riding Competition – known as the Dukes Invitational – is a board riding tournament held at Swanbourne Beach anywhere between Doggies Reef at the foot of Grant Street and the Block House, 2.7km north of the Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC Patrol Tower. The event and its associated Club has been named after famed waterman Duke Kahanamoku.
Each year, financial members of the Dukes are invited to participate in the Opening Ceremony on the first Sunday of April. The competition holding period is between April 1st and the last day of October annually.
Decision to Call On
Each day, surf conditions, ocean swells, and weather forecasts are monitored by Swanny’s most knowledgeable Experts, Legends, Meteorologists and Oceanographers, hereafter known as ELMO – along with the Contest Director that is selected at the Opening Ceremony. The Contest Director makes the decision as to whether to run the Dukes Invitational if the conditions are right.
Should the Dukes Invitational be called on for a morning, there will be an Official Call during the competition window, during which the participants have a 12 hour window to check in before the morning of the Dukes Invitational. Check in can take place via any means the Contest Director deems appropriate (for example facebook, SMS, email).
If the minimum conditions are not met during the competition holding period, the Dukes Invitational is not held that year, and the process repeats itself the following April. Swanny Bay calls the day!
Competition Logistics & Scoring
Participants will compete in a minimum of two 30 minute rounds – in the case of an infrequent swell the round duration may be extended at the discretion of the Contest Director. The competition window is generally from 07:00am to 5:00pm.
Up to six competitors can be in any one round, there is no limit to the number of waves caught, though only two of the competitor’s highest scores will be counted from any one round. Their four best scoring waves over two rounds will make up their total score. A panel of judges will be engaged on the day of the Dukes Invitational to give scores.
Elements Scored
Commitment and Degree of Difficulty
Innovative and Progressive Manoeuvres
Combination of Major Manoeuvres
Variety of Manoeuvres
Speed, Power and Flow
Scoring Scale
0.0 -1.9: Poor
2.0 - 3.9: Fair
4.0 - 5.9: Average
6.0 - 7.9: Good
8.0 - 10.0: Excellent
Trophies Up For Grabs
Best Overall Male
Best Overall Female
The Coveted Sweet Swanny Tube Award
Biggest Wave
Biggest Wipeout
Boasting total mastery of all oceanic endeavors, the revered waterman can fish, dive, surf, windsurf, kayak, bodysurf, interpret complex weather data or save the odd drowning person.
Duke ("The Duke") Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (August 24, 1890 – January 22, 1968) was an American competition swimmer who was also known as an actor, lawman, early beach volleyball player and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. Kahanamoku was a five-time Olympic medallist in swimming.
The Duke was one of the first given the title of 'Waterman'. Watermen take part in activities which involve water, including wave riding, wind or motor assisted sports, diving and fishing. A waterman is also skilled in interpreting weather and tide information to decide the best water activity for the conditions, and are often also skilled in water rescue and lifeguarding techniques. In surfing, it refers to a versatile athlete who can engage in various forms of water sports depending on conditions.
Who Was Duke Kahanamoku?
Swanny Dukes Objectives
Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club has always coupled its life saving duties with a love of wave riding and open water fitness. The Swanny Dukes aim to give Members total awareness and mastery in all oceanic endeavours.
The Swanny Dukes will aim to strengthen SNSLSC’s ties within its own member group and entice new members to join and participate. The Swanny Dukes will raise money to put towards a variety of alternative surf riding equipment, such as SUP boards, as well as trips and events that are available to Duke members. The Dukes will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of these craft.
