After long talks with riders and officials; it has been decided to extend the waiting period for the 2009 Nomad Shark Island challenge for an additional 2 weeks to accommodate the end of the second tidal window and inturn to introduce of a third. The waiting period will now carry on till the 9th of August, a total of 34 days, the third longest waiting period in the event history.

“It has been a shocking period for swell” explains Contest Director Mark Fordham. “There has been plenty of activity down South though the swells seem to keep tracking in an S/SW direction which is unfavourable for Shark Island itself.
The 180hr+ swell models are showing signs of a new pulse which is predicted to hit the Tasman Sea region towards the end of the week so we will see how that system develops.
If that swell produces the goods it will miss the end of the second tidal window and roll into the lay-day period with an afternoon start being our only option. (Refer to chart below). Remember, we only need a minimum of 2hrs to complete this event so anything is possible.

If that predicted swell fails to meet expectations then we will roll into our third tidal window with our first available high tide not coming into affect until 4th of August. Therefore, as of the 4th we will have six days to finish the event. The riders seem positive that something will come out of it, all we need now is for Huey to come to the party….”

Shark Island local Alex Leon has been following the swell action all period and is adamant that something special is on the way. “It’s great that the riders have voted in favour of extending the waiting period for this prestigious event. Extending the waiting period for a couple days isn’t much good. We need to extend it for a week or two. There is a lot of swell in the Bight (Great Australian Bight) and all we need is just one of these low pressure systems to swing up a little past Tassie and it’s on.”