Surfing Western Australia

WA State Longboard Series Pres. By SunSmart Round # 2

2010 WA State Longboard Series

Monday, 24 May 2010

After what can only be called a weekend of wild winter weather, the second event of the 2010 WA State Longboard Series was completed in Lancelin, just north of Perth. The typical autumn weather pattern of light winds and sunny skies did not eventuate, as competitors were forced to battle the elements in testing conditions.

With the preliminary rounds of competition scheduled to be completed Saturday, the event format changed dramatically after two major rain squalls ripped through the back beach at Lancelin, blowing tents over, skittling longboards, and leaving everyone wet to the bone. With obvious safety concerns, event officials made the decision to postpone all remaining heats on Saturday and to continue the event early Sunday morning.

"It was tough going out there on Saturday with a lot of wind and swell making the going tough, even for the most experienced competitors." Said event Head Judge Ray Barker.

Despite the conditions, some standout performances from the state's leading longboarders highlighted a bleak opening day of competition. Jarryd Foster (Yallingup) used his progressive and innovative surfing to stake his intensions of another State Title. His efforts were matched by those of Pat McCarthy (Denmark), Dan Corbett (Yallingup), Lindsay Small (Melville), Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park), Nick Jenkins (Mandurah), Brett Mason (Yallingup) and Mike Nuenubel (Denmark) who all moved through their opening heats with ease.

"Lancelin is such a good location when the winds are good, today it wasn't the best but there were a few little ones I snuck into." Said Foster after posting Saturday's highest scores across all divisions.

With the worst of the weather gone by Saturday night, Sunday dawned with strong southerly winds and an increase in swell, making the day one location at Back Beach look more like a washing machine than a surf break. Event officials were forced to move the event north to an isolated break towards Wedge Island.

With 4WD access the only way to reach the break, a convoy of cars set off Sunday morning to find the best conditions possible for competitors still vying for prestigious State Titles, and positions in the WA longboard team to compete at National Titles in NSW.

‘Narrowneck' as its know to the locals, is a patch of reef 80 - 100 meters from shore that provided far better waves than on offer for day one. Long, open faced right and left hand waves made for better day of surfing across all divisions. Competitors were judged on their best two waves out of a total possible score of twenty and the focus on all the divisions was on big moves.

"Length of ride is not a deciding factor in these events, we want to see competitors going for the big moves and adding elements of traditional longboarding to them. We are looking for the best to represent the state and they need to show the judges that they can adapt to all conditions and produce the goods", said Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks.

Waves in the 3-4 foot range (1.5m - 2.0m) persisted and despite some strong onshore winds competitors used the longer waves to their advantage, racking up four to five manoeuvres per wave. After a hugely successful first round in Yallingup, the second event of the series wrapped up with a talent-packed field of surfers providing some fierce competition in the finals.

In the Open Men's final it was Jarryd Foster, who stunned his opposition with a dominate performance that included a near perfect 8.00 ride and a back up 6.83. One of the best longboarders in WA, Foster confirmed that with two wins from as many starts in the 2010 series, thus claiming another State Title in the Open Men's division.

"I didn't put much pressure on myself this weekend and just let my surfing do the talking. Im really looking forward to the National Titles in August and WA looks like it will be sending one of the best teams in recent history." Said Foster.

Foster defeated a red hot field of talent including, Pat McCarthy (Denmark), who was nipping at his heals all heat. McCarthy, couldn't have done much more locking away two six point plus rides with his typical smooth style to finish in a close second. Mike Neuenuebel (Demark) surfed well all weekend to finish in third ahead of Yallingup's Brett Mason in fourth place. The ratings are now extremely close coming into the final round of competition in Denmark, with all surfers a very good chance to join Foster in the WA State Longboard Team.

Mason continued his form into the Stand Up Paddleboard division, taking the win ahead of Brent Moss (Secret Harbour) in second and Peter Dunn (Cottesloe) third.

Other winners over the weekend included Claire Finucane (Melveille), who was too strong in both the Open Women's, and Over 35 Women's divisions. Multiple State and National Title winner, Finucane's experience was enough to see her edge out Georgia Young (Swanbourne) in second, with rising stars from Denmark Michaela Ross and Lucy Small finishing third and fourth respectively.

Jake Stewart (Denmark) was too good in the U18 Junior Boys division defeating Mitch Corbett (City Beach) by the narrowest of margins. Michaela Ross claimed her maiden State longboard Title, in the U18 Junior Girls division, defeating close friends Lucy Small (Denmark), Rachel Dawe (Lancelin) and Asha Reeves (Denmark).

Lindsay Small (Melville) dominated to U21 Pro Junior's, finishing ahead of Dan Refled (Hillarys), Mark Mattions (Hillarys) and Mitch Corbett.

In other results Joe Warwick (Halls Head) won the over 35 men's division, Brett Merifield (Yallingup) was another surfer on fire winning the over 40 men's division. Margaret River's Bill Gibson won in the over 50's division.

Geraldton's Bruce Montgomery won the Over 55 men's division, while Trigg's Gerry Bejarano celebrated a win in the Over 60 men's division.

All eyes are now turned towards the final event of the series which will move to Denmark in June, with the event is set to showcase the emerging talent in area.

For full results check out www.surfingwa.com.au

Surfing WA State Longboard Series proudly presented by SunSmart and supported by Yalliungup Beach Holiday Park and The Mullaloo Longboard Club.

 FINAL RESULTS

Open Men:

1. Jarryd Foster (Yallingup), 2. Pat McCarthy (Denmark), 3. Mike Nuenuebel (Denmark), 4. Brett Mason (Yallingup).

Open Women:

1. Claire Finucane (Melville), 2. Georgia Young (Swanbourne), 3. Michaela Ross (Denmark), 4. Lucy Small (Denmark).

Stand Up Paddle Board:

1. Brett Mason (Yallingup), 2. Brent Moss (Secret Harbour) 3. Peter Dunn (Cottesloe).

Pro Junior:

1. Lindsay Small (Melville), 2. Dan Refeld (Hillarys), 3. Mark Mattisons (Cottesloe), 4. Mitch Corbett (City Beach).

Under 18 Girls:

1. Michaela Ross (Denmark), 2. Lucy Small (Denmark), 3. Rachel Dawe (Lancelin), 4. Asha Reeves (Denmark).

Under 18 Boys:

1. Jake Stewart (Denmark), 2. Mitch Corbett (City Beach), 3. Mitch Bailie (Geraldton), 4. Jed Petley (North Fremantle).

Over 35 Men:

1. Joe Warwick (Halls Head), 2. Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park), 3. Nick Jenkins (Mandurah)

Over 35 Women:

1. Claire Finucane (Melville), 2. Bronwyn Fricke (Yallingup).

Over 40 Men:

1. Brett Merifield (Yallingup), 2. Martin Richardson (Perth), 3. Rod Lyons (Cottesloe), 4. Tim Churack (Yallingup).

Over 45 Men:

1. Ray Barker (Margaret River), 2. Richard Wain (Yallingup), 3. Brett Merifield (Yallingup), 4. Tim Churack (Yallingup).

Over 50 Men:

1. Bill Gibson (Margaret River), 2. Chris Fullston (Yallingup), 3. Richard Wain (Yallingup), 4. Brent Moss (Secret Harbour).

Over 55 Men:

1. Bruce Montgomery (Geraldton), 2. Brian Hood (Geraldton), 3. John Lamming (Cottesloe), 4. Peter Dunn (Cottesloe).

Over 60 Men:

1. Gerry Bejarano (Trigg), 2. Brian Hood (Geraldton), 3.Mick Marlin (Yallingup), 4. Jon Dadd (Cottesloe).

Photos Available

Complimentary high resolution images are available through Surfing WA official event photographer Nick Woolacott. Images of other place getters are available for your specific region of circulation, contact: Nick Woolacott, nicwooly@hotmail.com ph: 0430 434 022 photo credit: Woolacott Images.

Surfing Western Australia - Event Manager
Justin Majeks
T: +61 8 9448 0004
justin.majeks@surfingwa.com.au

Surfing Western Australia - Event Photographer
Nick Woolacott
T: +61430 434 022
nicwolly@hotmail.com