Surfing Western Australia

Surfing WA State Open Series Pres. By SunSmart Round # 3

Surfing WA State Open Surf Series 2010

Monday, 21 June 2010

State Champions Crowned As Rottnest Island Pumps

With this in mind, surfers went hammer and tong and high performance surfing was shown across all divisions. This was no truer than in the blue ribbon Open Men's division, where the withdrawal of current rating leader and former world # 3 Dave Macaulay (Gracetown), opened up a huge chance for surfers to make a move to the top of the ratings and potentially into a WA State Team. After some standout performances from favourites Dave Delroy-Carr (Mosman Park), Tom Innes (Scarborough), Matt Baldock (Margaret River), Paul Thomas (Scarborough), Brody Maclean (Yallingup), and Jarrad Davies (Margaret River) on day one, the final on Sunday saw the form surfers meet in a do or die battle. Delroy-Carr, Baldock, Maclean, and Clarke all made it through their quarter, and semi final heats to meet in a epic final.

Dave Delroy-Carr was the surfer in the box seat after successfully winning the opening round in Margaret River. With surfers carrying their best two results out of the three events, if he were to win on Rottnest he'd hold two first place finishes, which cant be bettered. The powerful natural footer has excelled in competition in the past and look to be the surfer to beat.Having claimed numerous junior titles, representing WA and Australia, plus surfing in a range of ASP events, one thing Delroy-Carr hadn't done was win an State Open Title. His performances on route to and in the final marked his authority on the event. With huge aerial manoeuvres and a solid backhand attack, Delroy-Carr posted the weekend's highest scores and landed a massive ‘alley oop' in the final claim the win to the amazement of the crowds lining the beach.

Despite stiff competition from Matt Baldock who finished second, it was Delroy-Carr's day as he used his experience and new school approach to seal the win.

"It's the first Open Title I've won, so Im pretty happy right now. The waves have been fun this weekend and it was crazy that I landed that air when the wind turned during the final." He said.

Margaret River's Tom Clarke posted his best result in recently finishing a gallant third, ahead of up and comer Brody Maclean who made back to back Open Men's finals in his first year of competition.

The Pro Junior final was another close affair with talented juniors meeting in a real arm wrestle. Although he couldn't quite win the Open Men's division, Matt Baldock showed why he's WA's second highest rated surfer on the ASP Australasian Junior Circuit, with a dominant performance in the 25 minute final. Baldock who has been travelling extensively on the ASP Junior Series was stoked to be able to surf at a WA State Open event saying.

"It was cool to come to Rotto with the boys, I've only surfed this place a few times before and its good to mix up waves, locations and conditions as part of my training on the ASP Pro Junior Series." Said Baldock.

Baldock finished just ahead of a determined Brody Maclean who surfed well all weekend to place second, even though he had already claimed the State Title in this division in Geraldton. Shay Morgan (Yallingup) finished in third, with Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys) making WA history by being the first female to make a Pro Junior final at state level.

As well as that, Palmateer's impressive run of form continued after her back to back ASP Chill Pro Junior wins at Trigg Beach just two weeks ago. The seventeen year old was simply too good in the Open Women's division, outclassing her opposition with a methodical display on the long running left hand waves. Palmateer secured back to back Open Women's State Titles wins at Margaret River and Rottnest Island. The 2010 State Title adds to her remarkable results in 2010 which see her positioned to make a mark on female surfing in the years to come. Palmateer defeated April Kara (Dunsborough) who was solid in second place, Erin Eames (Gerladton) finished third, ahead of Jessica Lickel (Dunsborough) in fourth, with Dimitra Carter (Geraldton) in fifth position.

In other results from the weekend, Jai Macrides (Marmion) claimed his first State Open win ahead of eventual State Champion Luke Hayter (Scarborough). Simon Hughes (Trigg) was super consistent all weekend and posted some great scores to finish in a close third and Darryn Quigley (Trigg) finished in fourth.

Erin Eames defeated Dimitra Carter in the Senior Women's final to claim her maiden State Title.

Ross Fleming (Geraldton) did a wrecking ball number on competitors in both the O35 Masters and the O40 Senior Masters divisions. The powerful backhand attack gave Fleming the nod from the judges winning in style.

"Its been years sine I've been back to Rottnest, it reminds me of when I was growing up and coming here as a junior. It's a pleasure to be back her and winning." He commented.

Similar to Ross Fleming Steve Williams (Karrinyup) dominated the O45 Grand Masters and the O50 Legends divisions. A frequent visitor to Rottnest Williams used his knowledge of Stricko's to perfection, picking off some great waves in both finals and sealing a great weekend for all competitors and spectators who soaked up everything a weekend on Rottnest has to offer.

Attentions now turn to sending one of the strongest WA State Open Surf Teams away to National Titles as possible. With some possible big name inclusions after this weekend's events hope are high that the Black Swan will fly high in the skies of Port Maquaries New South Wales.

The Surfing WA State Open Surf Series proudly presented by SunSmart and proudly supported by Surfing Western Australia, Rottnest Express and The Rottnest Island Authority.

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. Dave Delroy-Carr (Mosman Park), 2. Matt Baldock (Margaret River), 3. Tom Clarke (Margaret River), 4. Brody Maclean (Yallingup).

State Champion: Dave Delroy-Carr.

Open Women: 1. Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys), 2. April Kara (Dunsborough), 3. Erin Eames (Geraldton), 4. Jess Lickel (Dunsbororugh), 5. Dimitra Carter (Geraldton)

State Champion: Felicity Palmateer

Pro Junior U21: 1. Matt Baldock (Margaret River), 2. Brody Maclean (Yallingup), 3. Shay Morgan (Yallingup), 4. Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys).

State Champion: Brody Maclean

Senior Men O28: 1. Jai Macrides (Marmion), 2. Luke Hayter (Scarborough), 3. Simon Hughes (Trigg), 4. Darryn Quigley (Trigg).

State Champion: Luke Hayter

Senior Women O28: 1. Erin Eames (Geraldton), 2. Dimitra Carter (Geraldton)

 State Champion: Erin Eames

Masters Men O35: 1. Ross Fleming (Geraldton), 2. Brad Cowan (Margaret River) , 3. Nick Black (Mandurah), 4. Dan Dobson (Trigg). 5. Peter McCallum (Scarborough), 6. Terry O'Leary (Margaret River)

State Champion: Brad Cowan

Senior Masters O40: 1. Ross Fleming (Geraldton), 2. Brad Cowan (Margaret River), 3. Nick Black (Mandurah), 4. Warrick Palmateer (Hillarys).

State Champion: Ross Fleming

Grand Masters O45: 1. Steve Williams (Karrinyup), 2. Frank Hayter (Margaret River), 3. Brent Moss (Secret Harbour), 4. Steve Pozzi (Woodvale).

State Champion: Dave Macaulay

Legends O50: 1. Steve Williams (Karrinyup), 2. Frank Hayter (Margaret River), 3. Leon Norris (Geraldton), 4. Brent Moss (Secret Harbour).

State Champion: Steve Williams

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