THE crash of waves against the shoreline provided the perfect soundtrack as Wauchope-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club said a final farewell to a loved team member.
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Simon Stennett passed away suddenly 10 days ago and his death has rocked the tight-knit surfing community to the core.
But his clubmates will have to find a way to “do it for Stenno” when the North Coast Surfboat Series continues on November 19.
And judging by the outpouring of emotion on November 9 they won’t have too many problems.
In a touching commemoration of his life, several boats lined the shore and a local crew took to the ocean where they raised their oars along with about 40 clubmates at the water’s edge.
One seat was left vacant in the 34-year-old’s memory.
You don’t need to be tall to be a good rower, you just need to have plenty of nerve – and that’s something Stenno had a lot of.
- Boat captain Tony Kee
ACDC’s Thunderstruck blared out over the speakers at Rainbow Beach as an estimated 500 people gathered on the shore.
Simon’s beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs jersey was draped over the coffin.
Suits and ties were replaced by boardshorts, t-shirts and either bare feet or thongs.
He was best remembered as a “ratbag”, “someone who kept it real” and “you’d hear him coming before you saw him”.
That comment in particular was in reference to his WRX – his pride and joy.
During the day he was an accountant, but before and after he went to work he loved to party.
He would shuck oysters on Christmas Day and hand out beers.
Friends and family were encouraged not to “cry because he’s gone, smile because you got to meet him”.
Plenty of memories were shared, punctuated by the odd ripple of laughter along with the occasional tear or two.
Boat captain Tony Kee reflected on a few of the qualities that made Simon into the rower everyone remembered.
“You don’t need to be tall to be a good rower, you just need to have plenty of nerve – and that’s something Stenno had a lot of,” he said.
The last photo the club has of Simon is from South West Rocks after the completion of round three of the North Coast Surfboat Series.
Unsurprisingly he had a XXXX in his hand.
Hopefully there's a wave on for him and we will have our tribute and row on.
- Tony Kee
As the hearse made its way from the congregation and up towards the road, he was remembered with three cheers.
One other person then summed it up best in three simple words.
Up the Bunnies.
For now, Simon is rowing an endless wave.
He’ll no doubt be watching over his mates on November 19 when round four of the North Coast Surfboat Series gets underway at Scotts Head.
Kee said it’s a tough time for the club, but they’ll band together because it’s what “Stenno” would have wanted.
“We will raise our oars for him at Scotts Head,” he said.
“Hopefully there's a wave on for him and we will have our tribute and row on. That's what he would want.”