Surfing Western Australia

EBB WA Bodyboard Series Presented By SunSmart Round # 2

EBB WA State Bodyboard Series Round # 2

Monday, 14 June 2010

Despite small and tricky conditions making the going tough for competitors, Ocean Reef's Lewy Finnegan has dominated round two of the EBB WA State Bodyboard Series for 2010 over the weekend at Scarborough Beach. The human dynamo has long been regarded as one of the states best up and coming talents and Finnegan not only proved this by winning the U18 Junior Men's division, but also pushing some older and more experienced competitors to the edge in the Open Men's division.

Small, shifty 1-2 feet beach breaks offered just enough scoring potential for WA's best bodyboarding talent to strut their stuff. With the hopes of many hanging on WA state team selection for November's Bodyboard National Titles in Queensland, it was Finnegan that made his intentions clear, with what can only be described as a polished and radical performance.

Finnegan surfed six times on the final day moving through his junior and open heats with ease. The U18 Junior Men's division has long been considered the breeding ground for the next crop of WA bodyboard talent and again the division lived up to its reputation, with the form riders of the weekend meeting in a close encounter.

Finnegans opening ride of 7.33 was the start he needed and despite the efforts of George Humphreys (Mandurah), Cam Hutchins (Ocean Reef), and Tom Purvis (Margaret River), the red hot Finnegan built on his opening ride and his combination of spins, rolls and ARS maneuvers saw him claim back to back wins in the division and his first U18 State Title. In an extremely close finish Finnegan edged out Humphreys by just 0.50 of a point to see him claim second, Cam Hutchins was impressive in third and Tom Purvis also surfed well for fourth.

"Im pretty stoked with the result here today, its great to be able to surf with my close mates and it was such a close final any of us could have won." Finnegan said after the final.

EBB team rider, big wave charger and current world # 38 Brad Hughes was on hand to soak up some of the finals action and was suitably impressed by the standard of the young talent coming out of WA.

"Its great to see these young guys pushing each other so hard, bodyboarding has given me so much that its rewarding to know the sport here in WA is in safe hands." He commented after the Junior Men's final.

"Im really keen to get involved with Surfing WA in running some training camps for the team leading into Nationals later this year."

When asked about the upcoming EBB Pro and whether he'll be competing he replied.

"It's WA's biggest bodyboarding event, and Im stoked to be available to compete on home turf in 2010." He said.

The blue ribbon Open Men's division, suffered with some big names pulling out due to the grim forecast, none bigger than 2009 defending State Open Champion Alex Halsey (Woodvale). This was a perfect opportunity for some younger competitors to make their mark on the division and shake up the ratings with only one event remaining in the series. In an extremely close 25 minute final, less than two points separated surfers in third to first.

Former National Title winner Brendan Gabel brought experience into the match up of much younger competitors with Finnegan, George Humphreys and Jake Metcalfe (Hillarys) all nipping at his heals. Gabels opening 6.33 ride was just the start he needed against his younger rivals and never really looked back with his repertoire of new school moves. With all four finalists not about to give either of the other surfers any room for error, the lead changed continuously for the duration of the final with all riders continually pushing each other, busting out some huge maneuvers that kept the judges working hard.

Gabels continued his campaign of destroying the waves by posting a score of 7.6 points on his last ride relegating an unlucky Lewy Finnegan into second, George Humphreys third, and Jake Metcalfe fourth.

"I haven't won one of these events in a while, and it's a good feeling to be back in the winners circle." Gabel commented.

"I thought I'd struggle out there, being a big guy and the waves being pretty small, the groms were always going to have the advantage. But I stuck to my guns and waited for the sets." Gabel continued.

The U16 Cadet Boys final was fast and furious, with the all too common attitude of the younger competitors pushing the boundaries in the sport. Davis Blackwell (Mandurah) managed to claim the U16 State Title after winning last years U14 Grommet National Title. Blackwell was spontaneous and unpredictable with his combination of maneuvers. He managed to hold onto the lead by a slim margin of 2.0 points to win just ahead of Calvin Best (Cottesloe), Toby Ross (Esperance) impressed in third and Boden Hay (Mullaloo) rounded out the top four.

The drop knee final proved popular with spectators and competitors with the finalist putting on a brilliant display of DK riding. Trent Sandford (Kingsley) was the first to launch into a wave, performing a series of cutbacks and spins to establish an early lead, but Mark Bohem (Greenwood) answered back with some great work on a quick left to the south of the competition area. The lead also changed between the finalists many times, but it was Sandford who pushed the boundaries to just pip Boehm who finished second, ahead of Chad Abbott (Singelton) in third and Brendan Gabel (Perth) mixing it up on the knee in fourth place.

In other results from the weekend, Tim Fowler (Padbury) took out the Senior Men's division from John Barker (Mandurah), Nathan Lotze (Dunsborough) and Steve Black (Thornlie) in fourth. Barry Hammond (Heathridge) won the Masters division, with Kacey Lee Middleton successful in the Open Women's division.

Reeflex Wetsuits Rising Star Award went to Toby Ross, for an awesome effort in making the U16 Cadets Final over the weekend.

Attention now turns to the final EBB State Bodyboard Series event in September, where the combined EBB Pro will bring the Australian Pro Tour to WA in a three day event which will be highlight by the wave rich coastline of the South-West.

Be sure to check out www.surfingwa.com.au  or check out www.ebb.net.au  for all event updates and information.

The 2010 EBB WA State Bodyboard Series presented by SunSmart and proudly supported by Exclusively Bodyboarding , Reeflex Wetsuits, Grand Flavour Clothing, Creatures of Leisure, Elit Bodyboards, Ifins, and Surfing Western Australia.

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.

FINAL RESULTS

Open Men: 1. Brendan Gabel (Perth), 2. Lewy Finnegan (Ocean Reef), 3. George Humphreys (Mandurah), 4. Jake Metcalfe (Hillarys).

Senior Men: 1. Tim Fowler (Padbury), 2. John Barker (Mandurah), 3. Nathan Lotze (Dunsborough), 4. Steve Black (Thornlie).

Open Women: 1. Kasey Lee Middleton (Geraldton), 2. Kirby Smith (Lansdale)

U18 Junior Men: 1. Lewy Finnegan (Ocean Reef), 2. George Humphreys (Mandurah), 3. Cam Hutchins (Ocean Reef), 4. Tom Purvis (Margaret River).

U16 Cadet Boys: 1. Davis Blackwell (Mandurah) , 2. Calvin Best (Cottesloe), 3. Toby Ross (Esperance), 4. Boden Hay (Mullaloo).

Drop Knee: 1.Trent Sandford (Kingsley), 2. Mark Boehm (Greenwood), 3. Chad Abbott (Singleton), 4. Brendan Gabel (Perth).

Masters Men: 1. Barry Hammond (Heathride), 2. Steve Black (Thornlie).

For more information contact:

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
nicwooly@hotmail.com