Home renovations not the ideal preparation

DAYYAN Neve will look to repeat the dose when he competes in the fourth event of the Bacardi Surf Tour this Sunday at Dee Why Beach.

Dayyan Neve competing at the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.

DAYYAN Neve will look to repeat the dose when he competes in the fourth event of the Bacardi Surf Tour this Sunday at Dee Why Beach.

His preparation hasn’t been ideal, with the renovation of his house his primary focus.

“I actually haven’t surfed since the last contest (which he won) at Freshwater,’’ the North Steyne veteran said.

“There hasn’t been much surf lately either. If I get through a few heats, it will be a bonus.”

With the overall Bacardi Surf Tour Champion pocketing $2500, Maroubra’s Blake Thornton holds a slender lead in the ratings over Neve.

Marourba surfer Blake Thornton.

Sunday’s event will also celebrate 50 years in surfing for former Dee Why local Col “Luigi” Gow. He won his first surfing contest at Dee Why in 1966 and has been involved in the sport ever since.

There is no questioning Gow’s commitment to surfing. Growing up at Enmore, by the time he was 14 he would carry his longboard to Newtown where he would catch a train to Circular Quay and then the ferry to Manly followed by a bus to Dee Why.

The locals appreciated his dedication and, in 1964, he was asked to join the Dee Why Surfing Fraternity.

Two years later, he won his first open surfing event at his “home” break.