Pa and Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest in full swing

There were clean, consistent waves and plenty of spectators having fun in the sun at the Pa and Ma Bendall Memorial Surf Contest held for the 49th year over the Easter long weekend at Caloundra’s Moffat Beach. PHOTO GALLERY

The Pa and Ma Bendall Surfing Contest was established in 1974 and named in honour of former Sunshine Coast local surfing heroes, Ma (Majory) and Pa (Charles) Bendall.

The Pa and Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest is in full swing at Moffat Beach over the Easter long weekend, with ideal surfing conditions attracting throngs of onlookers for the special event.

Organised by Windansea Boardriders, the contest has been held at the same spot in Caloundra since 1974 

A spring board for many young surfers moving into the professional ranks with past winners including Australian and World champions and legends, the Surfing Contest is named in honour of former Sunshine Coast local surfing heroes, Ma (Majory) and Pa (Charles) Bendall who settled in Caloundra in the 1950s.

Despite learning to surf later in life, ‘Pa’ was considered the grandad of surfing, proving you are never too old to ride a wave.

Take a look at all the pics from the second day of competition.

David Wise and Angie Cooney at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Tracy Keeve and Sandra Mougenot at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Zara Gannis, 6, Esther Gannis and Chevy Gannis, 10, at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Todd Grogan, Nicola Hodgson, Paul 'Shep' Sheppard and Kate Sheppard at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Nathan Kennedy and Katie Lennox at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Mae Clarke, 12, Tracy Belyea and Sue Shipman from the Windansea Boardriders Club at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Lindsay Powell at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Mr Whippy owner Allan Acton at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Jacob Faull at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Jamie Marlin, Keegan Atkins and Rechenda Johansson at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Lennox Sheppard, 9 and Maya Sheppard, 8, at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

The Crepe Joint owners Lily Branger and Don Tarr at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Isis Tarr, 14, and Mia Burgess, 13, at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Aden O'Neill, Trinidad Rioseco and Aniela Neicho at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Tracy Bange and Jack Bange at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Coco Cairns at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Ma & Pa Vintage owner Patrick Joseph with Alisha Cooper and Nick Edgerton at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Sebastian Barry, 11, and Mitch Barry at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Masters Finalist Matt Hadland sponsored by Between the Flags Coffee at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Kenan Robinson at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Larissa Schmidt, Larissa Mahony and Heidi Levesconte at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Joel C and Joel Linnie at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Joseph Braund at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Georgia Hodgson at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Emma Flear and Matt Harley at the 49th Annual Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest held at Moffat Beach in Caloundra on April 8, 2023. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Originally published as Pa and Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest in full swing