Surfing Australia

Beau O'Brian wins the SUP Marathon at the Australian Surf Festival supported by Essential Energy

Sunday, 19 August 2012

MIDDLE ROCK, Port Macquarie: (Sunday 19th August 2012): The Australian Standup Paddleboard (SUP) Titles began today in Port Macquarie, on day nine of the Australian Surf Festival supported by Essential Energy. Clear blue skies and light winds welcomed competitors to Middle Rock, for the Surfing contingent of the event and Lake Cathie for the racing.

Big numbers turned up for the racing from across the country, the strong field was hard to beat as Australia’s best watermen and women paddled from Lake Cathie to Town Beach in the 20km marathon race.

After a shaky start at Lake Cathie, Beau O’Brian (Mudgeeraba, QLD) gained a solid lead in the open ocean, on the way to Town Beach. Demonstrating the seamless technique he is known for, O’Brian finished with an impressive time of 1 hour, 38 minutes and 11 seconds.

“It was pretty good out there, to start off with the nerves got me a little bit because it’s a pretty tough field, a couple of times I fell of," said O’Brian.

“It took me a bit to get back up there, but once I was with the boys I tried to get as far in front as I could, because I knew those boys could run, and I’m not a runner. Once I broke away I thought yeah go for it and get a good time and see what I can do.

“At the end of the day we are all mates out there, we are not trying to smash each other, it’s push the younger fellas along and egg each other on," said O’Brian who is in training for paddle battles in America as part of the World Tour.

In the women's division, victory went to Angie Jackson (Currumbin, QLD).

Surfing with extreme style and power in the SUP surfing contingent was the Jakovich brothers from Western Australia. Rick's impressive manoeuvres gave him a solid 15.65 heat score and he moves through to round two where he will surf against his brother Jake.

Fresh off the World Longboard Tour and a dominant force in the SUP world, Beau Nixon (Tweed Heads, NSW) didn’t take long to make a dent on the scoreboard. His first wave (7.75) gave him an early lead and his later 9.00 ride solidified the heat win pushing him straight through to round two in the open mens.

Also surfing well and going through to round two in the open mens was Justin Holland (Varsity Lakes, QLD), Geoff Breen (Sunshine Beach, QLD) and defending champion Jackson Close (Coolangatta, QLD). Erin Dark (Gerringong, NSW), won her heat and is proving a force to be reckoned with once again in the open womens.

The Australian Surf Festival event website is LIVE at www.australiansurffestival.com and during the event will feature live scores, heat by heat results, photo gallery and event news.

This year’s event will also feature a busy schedule off the water with live music and surf education courses. Town Green Inn will become the headquarters for all the land-based action providing competitors and spectators an opportunity to relax when competition is over for the day. A series of coaching courses will be available for surfing, SUP and judging.

The Australian Surf Festival is proudly supported by Essential Energy, NSW Government, Destination NSW, Port Macquarie Tourism, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Harley-Davidson Australia, Town Green Inn, Nikon, Suncorp, VB, Australian Sports Commission, Coastalwatch, NBN, Port Macquarie News, 2MC, Star FM, Surfing World Magazine, Pacific Longboarder Magazine.

The Australian Surf Festival is a key regional event on the NSW Events Calendar, and is supported by the NSW Government, through Destination NSW.

HIT the RESULTS TAB at www.australiansurffestival.com for all the heat scores.

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