AC-DC AT THE 2010 RIP CURL PRO

The Rip Curl Pro event at Bells, every Easter is a major production. The site starts to go up three weeks before the event starting date.

There are around 200 people that work on, or in and around the event that keep the wheels turning.

This blog looks a the roll of sound engineer Jenny Moon of "MOON MOTHER PRODUCTIONS".

At the Rip Curl Pro, Jenny is responsible for all things sound for the Bells and Winkipop site, and also if the event goes mobile.

Jenny is no stranger to big productions and has a hands on role keeping the event live, with general communications, web and live music. Jenny's credits include, concerts for Blink 182, Iggy Pop, Pennywise, Blondie, John Butler Trio, and events the likes of, The Falls Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and Big Day Out, just to name a few.

An interesting piece of equipment in Jenny's arsenal is a big PA used to relay information to competitors in the the water, affectionally named "ANGUS" a named given to it by Rip Curl's International Marketing Manager - Neil Ridgway.

"ANGUS" is a Altec Lansing multicell horn PA that once belonged to, none other than AC-DC!

Take my word for it this piece of equipment is capable taking your head clean off your shoulders if you tried to stand in front of it while it was operating. Now here's the thing, AC-DC used 2 of these suckers ontop of stacks each side of the stage for pub gigs! My ears are ringing just writing about it... will someone answer the bloody phone!

In what has become tradition at the Rip Curl Pro since the release of AC-DC's album "BACK IN BLACK" in '95, "HELLS BELLS" the first track on the album is blasted out from "ANGUS" each morning, to appease the Swell Gods.

Jenny Moon - at the controls.

Proud mum and Angus

Angus

Orchestrating the jigsaw puzzle, live music stage setup.

"THE ICEMAN COMETH"

Had his own surfing collector card #1

Appeared on 2 RCP posters.

You would be hard pressed to find a more qualified contest director for the Rip Curl Pro than Damien "Dooma" Hardman.

In his competitive days he was know as the "Iceman" a fierce competitor, super cool under pressure.

Dooma won countless WCT events during his career.

On 2 occasions, won the Rip Curl Pro and to cap it all off, 2 World Titles.

He relocated from his beloved Nth Narrabeen in 2007, and now lives and works on the Surfcoast, working for his long time sponsor, Rip Curl - Has been contest directing for 6 years.

This year Dooma will have an apprentice. Former WCT surfer Pancho Sullivan from Hawaii's North Shore.

Pancho's trademark gouge.

So what does a Contest Director do?

• Monitors swell forecasts, wind, weather, tides, wave consistency.

• Makes the call whether contest runs or heats continue.

• Consults with surfer reps.

• Also monitors backup wave locations.

These days there are numerous swell and weather forecast websites available, which certainly makes

life as a Contest Director a little easier.

Before the arrival of swell forecast websites, the ability to read weather maps and have reliable contacts down the coast to relay surf reports, was a must.

So when surf conditions are less than perfect for an event, spare a thought for the Contest Director and the tough calls they have to make.

WORLD CHAMP ON SURF COAST TO PARTY!

The crew at Rip Curl, don't need much of an excuse to throw a party, so when team riders Steph Gilmore and Mick Fanning recently won World Titles in Hawaii, it was all systems go!

On the roof top, the Rippy staff and guests partied, as the music cranked and the sweet taste of success flowed freely.

Fanning was off snowboarding after Hawaii, so the spotlight was focused entirely on consecutive, three times, World Champ, Steph Gilmore. Yeah!

The guest of honor, Steph Gilmore.

Sisters are doin' it for themselves. The Gilmore girls

Steph with Jesse Spencer from TV show HOUSE