Surfing Western Australia

HIF WA Pro Am Series Pres. by SunSmart - Rnd 2

Luke Campbell Makes A Welcome Return to the HIF Pro Am Series

Monday, 16 May 2011

As the 2011 Australian Surfmasters draw closer, the second event of the HIF Pro Am Series saw the intensity and level of surfing go through the roof. With the chance to represent WA in Port Macquire NSW in August, surfers were looking to consolidate on results from the first event of the series in Margaret River, or use this event to spring board up the ratings to be in contention for State Team selection.

'Head Butts' as it is know, is an isolated and remote beach which can only be accessed with the use of 4WD vehicles, and was chosen over the original location 'Flat Rocks' as the contest location provided fantastic waves for the States best to duel it out.

Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks was relieved that the elements had all came together so well, saying "Its been a truly great event, those that made the effort to get to this far-flung stretch of coast have rewarded with some of the best competition waves we've had all year. It was insane just watching some of the rides that went down over the weekend."

The preliminary rounds of competition were completed in clean and consistent waves on Saturday, and with the tide dropping out all day, provided competitors across eight divisions the perfect setting for some radical and committed surfing.

The Open Men's division set the pace from the start with some impressive performances from Danny Williams (Geraldton), Paul Paterson (City Beach), Drew Everest (Mandurah), and Margaret River duo Tom Clarke and Jerome Forrest, all of which posted splendid round one victory's. It was the surfers who made the most of the long, hollow, peeling right handers that were rewarded with healthy scores from the judges.

This set the sense for an all time Open Men's final with some of the stalwarts of the WA surfing scene Paul 'Antman' Paterson and Luke Campbell going up against some of the new hot young guns in Jerome Forrest and James Fleming. With each of the four finalists proving their ability in the barreling waves in previous heats it was a hard to call one clear favourite for the 30 minute final.

Luke Campbell left nothing to chance in a clinical and polished performance, the 26 year old from Trigg Point confirmed that he's still at the top of his game with a near perfect performance. A top junior surfer in his time, and one of WA's highest rated surfers on the ASP World Qualifying Series Campbell showed his competition experience locking in a great 7.50 opening ride which included a huge aerial reverse.

From there Campbell never looked back, loosening up with each wave he caught you could see the momentum swing in his directions. Campbell went from strength to strength, going on to post an excellent 8.17, and the only perfect 10 of the event to finish with 18.17pts (from a possible 20) and picking up the $500 winners cheque and the 'HIF Wave of the Weekend'.

"Oh, these have to be some of the best waves I've ever surfed in competition." Said Campbell after his emphatic victory.

"I travelled to heaps of big events and never scored waves quite like this. Its been a while since I've entered one of WA Open Series Events so to win one is extra sweet." He concluded.

Despite the best efforts of Paul Paterson and Jerome Forrest who both posted excellent scores, both were left needing something extraordinary to catch the red hot Campbell. In the end second place went to Paul Paterson who finished with combined scores of 15.57 (from a possible 20), and Jerome Forrest in third with a 14.77 (from a possible 20). Despite his efforts earlier youngster James Fleming had to settle for fourth but was beaming with his fourth place finish.

The results have now thrown the HIF Pro Am Series Title race wide open with one final event scheduled for Perth in June to decided the 2011 State Champions and team members to represent WA in New South Wales.

In other results from the weekend, 2010 Pro Junior State Champion Brody Maclean (Yallingup) claimed back to back State Titles with a solid performance in his pet division. Maclean was too good for Geraldton locals Danny Williams, Brady and Max Marsden who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Baldock who has recently returned to WA after judging two of the ASP Women's World Tour events in New Zealand and Sydney said how much the experience has benefitted her surfing, "Its crazy to see how far the girls are now pushing the future of the sport. To see Carrisa Moore, Sally Fitzgibons, and Steph all surfing with my own two eyes has definitely improved my own surfing."

Be sure to check out www.surfingwa.com.au for all event updates and information. For the latest updated Pro Am Series Ratings http://www.surfingaustralia.com/wa/ratings.php?id=53 

Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) WA Pro Am Series presented by SunSmart.

Proudly supported by Firewire Surfboards, Otis Eyewear, Futures Fins, Brownes Chill, PowerBalance & Surfing WA.

Event Highlights Package

A high definition version of the 2011 HIF Pro Am Series RND # 2 video highlights package will be uploaded on the Surfing WA vimeo account in the coming days. Check it out at http://vimeo.com/user4625467.

FINAL RESULTS

Open Men: 1. Luke Campbell (Trigg Point) $500 18.17pts, 2. Paul Paterson (City Beach) $250 15.57pts, 3. Jerome Forrest (Margaret River) $125 14.77pts, 4. James Fleming (Geraldton) $70 5.40pts.

Open Women: 1. Jaala Baldock (Kallaroo) 13.75pts, 2. Sue Moran (North Hampton) 4.50pts. STATE CHAMPION: Jaala Baldock

O45 Grand Masters: 1. Brad Cowan (Margaret River).

O50 Legends: 1. Leon Norris (Geraldton) 14.86pts, 2. Brent Moss (Esperance) 13.20pts, 3. Mick Shaw (Margaret River) 12.0pts, 4. Frank Hayter (Margaret River) 11.70 pts, 5. Steve Pozzi (Woodlands) 6.47pts.

O55 Kahunas: 1. Leon Norris (Geraldton) 18.00pts, 2. Mick Molloy (Geraldton) 13.94pts, 3. Steve Pozzi (Woodlands) 9.27pts.

HIF is proudly West Australian and a successful not-for-profit health insurer. Being Australia's fastest growing health fund, HIF's focus is on giving their members a great value, affordable health insurance. More and more people across the country are turning away from other Australian health funds in favour of HIF's ethical member-focused approach, attracted to affordable private hospital cover and ancillary cover that offers100% choice when selecting HIF's recognised healthcare providers.