Surfing Western Australia

WA State Longboard Series Pres. By SunSmart Round # 3

2010 Surfing WA State Longboard Series

Tuesday, 29 June 2010

The sleepy South Coast town of Denmark located approximately 4 hours south of Perth once again played host for the third and final event of the Surfing WA State Longboard Series. Competitors who made the journey south were treated to ideal longboard conditions as the final spots in the WA State Team were finalized for the upcoming National Titles in Port Macquarie, NSW. For the third year running the striking location where the forest meets the sea, has been a welcome winter escape for WA best longboarding talent.

2010 saw the all important final round of competition played out a the surfers playground known as ‘Parrys' not far from the centre of Denmark, where clean, fun 2 - 3 feet right and left hand peaks made for a outstanding end to what has been a sensational event series. Longboarding has a large and passionate following in WA for many years and the desire to claim a State Longboard Title or to be given the opportunity to represent WA at National level has driven many to compete. After successful first event in Yallingup, and a disastrous second event in Lancelin, hopes lifted as a positive forecast rang true and allowed competitors to let their surfing do the talking in classic longboard waves.

Despite some very chilly mornings, and some passing showers, Denmark's protected coastline of rocky points and beautiful bays allowed for clean offshore winds much of the weekend and a moderate swell kept competitors more than happy. Although the direction and size of the swell meant shifting the event from the fantastic facilities of the Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club to the beach breaks at Perry's, Denmark will remain deeply embedded in the Surfing WA contest calendar.

Although some State Titles had already been decided in the first two events, a total of seven were still up for grabs, so the weekend was always going to throw up some close scoring heats. This was the case in the Open Men's division, where it was a do or die struggle for some to qualify for the State Team. With the State Title already going to Yallingup's Jarryd Foster, the battle intensified between Dan Corbett (City Beach), Brett Mason (Yallingup), Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park), Mark Mattisons (Cottesloe) and Denmark local Pat McCarthty who were all keen to press for a win with Foster not competing.

It was Corbett who put on a flawless display in the final locking away an 8.10 opening ride and a back up 7.73 to post an impressive total of 15.83 out of a possible twenty. Living up to his reputation as the state's most electrifying longboarders, Corbett's backhand was razor sharp as he winded of turn after turn of the long running lefthand peaks. However, it was no easy win for Corbett, who was forced to fight off a constant threat in local surfer Pat McCarthy who was one of the form surfers of the weekend.

McCarthy, along with Jarrah Calder, and Mark Mattisons pushed Corbett all the way in the exciting final. All surfers exchanged blows as they blended traditional nose rides with modern day top turns and rail-to-rail carves, which made a high level of progressive maneuvers. But it was Corbett's superior wave selection and commitment that saw him finish ahead of McCarthy in second, Calder in third and Mark Mattisons made his first ever Open Men's final and finished fourth.

"I had a couple of average results coming into this event so it was a case of win or possibly miss out on National Titles. I knew that even a win would just have me scratching into the top four, but Im really happy with the way I was surfing and would like to thank my sponsors and the boys in the final for pushing me so hard." An elated Corbett commented after the final.

The Open Women's final was equally impressive with Georgia Young (Swanbourne) outgunning a group of young Denmark up and coming Denmark locals in Michaela Ross, Asha Reeves, and Lucy Small. The final was a seesawing affair with all surfers impressing the judges with some solid scoring waves. Claire Finucane had already secured the State Title after winning the two previous rounds, but it would come down to this event to see who would represent the State in NSW. A defiant Georgia Young was too strong for her younger competitors, just piping Michaela Ross by less than one point in a very close finish. Ross who is a future star on the rise made every attempt to shut the door on Young but Young's power was too much for Ross, who finished strongly in second, ahead of Rachel Dawe (Lancelin) in third, with Asha Reeves finishing fourth ahead of Lucy Small in fifth.

"We'll have a really strong women's team in Port this year, there are a lot of young girls pushing us all to perform better and better, which is encouraging." Said Young.

Brett Mason (Yallingup) was crowned WA's first ever back to back Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) State Champion. Mason's control of both board and paddle, plus his fifth place finish at National Titles in 2009 see sport is moving into the mainstream here in WA.

"Im really excited about going over East, it will be great to go up against some of those guys who are really talented on the SUP's." Mason commented.

It was a case of Denmark surfers dominating their respective age divisions, with Michaela Ross backing up her Open Women's final with a win in the U/18 Junior Girls. Asha Reeves and Lucy Small finished second and third respectively in the same division. Jake Stewart won the U18 Junior Boys as well as the State Title, and placed fourth in the U/21 Pro Junior division. The ever stoked Mike Nuenuebel placed second in the O/50 Legends division.

In other results Dan Refeld completed a good weekend with a win in the U/21 Pro Juniors, and also claimed the State Title. Joe Warrick (Halls Head) claimed his first State Title in the O/35 Men's divisions. Norman Twight (Secret Harbour) won the O/40 Men's, Brett Merifield (Dunsborough) won O/45 Men's and both will be a handy additions to the WA State Longboard Team. Chris Fullston (Yallingup) made a clean sweep of the O/50 Men division winning each event of the series. Peter Dunn (Cottesloe) won the O/55 Men's division and State Title, meanwhile Dave Roberstson (Shelly) won the O/60 Men's division ahead of eventual State Champion Mick Marlin (Yallingup)

Attentions now turn to sending the strongest WA Team away to National Titles as possible. With some possible big name inclusions after this weekend's events hopes are high WA will be successful at Port Macquarie, NSW at the Australian Longboard Titles which will run from August 15th - 21st 2010.

The official final ratings from the 2010 Surfing WA State Longboard Series, as well as 2010 state champions can be found on the Surfing Western Australia website at www.surfingwa.com.au  

Surfing WA would like to wish the WA State Longboard Team every success at the upcoming National Titles.

Surfing WA State Longboard Series proudly presented by SunSmart and supported by Yalliungup Beach Holiday Park and Denmark Surf Life Saving Club.

FINAL RESULTS:

Open Men:

1. Dan Corbett (City Beach), 2. Pat McCarthy (Denmark), 3. Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park), 4. Mark Mattisons (Cottesloe).

State Champion: Jarryd Foster (Yallingup).

Open Women:

1. Georgia Young (Swanbourne), 2. Michaela Ross (Denmark), 3. Rachel Dawe (Lancelin), 4. Asha Reeves (Denmark), 5. Lucy Small (Denmark).

State Champion: Claire Finucane (Melville).

Stand Up Paddle Board:

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

State Champion: Brett Mason (Yallingup).

U/21 Pro Junior:

1. Dan Refeld (Hillarys), 2. Mark Mattisons (Cottesloe), 3. Mitch Corbett (City Beach), 4. Jake Stewart (Denmark), 5. Lindsay Small (Melivlle)

State Champion: Dan Refeld (Hillarys)

U/18 Junior Girls:

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

State Champion: Michaela Ross (Denmark).

U/18 Junior Boys:

1. Mitch Corbett (City Beach), 2. Jake Stewart (Denmark).

State Champion: Jake Stewart (Denmark).

Over 35 Men:

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

State Champion: Joe Warrick (Halls Head).

Over 35 Women:

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

State Champion: Claire Finucane (Melville).

Over 40 Men:

1. Norman Twight (Secret Harbour), 2. Glenn Solomon (Cottesloe), 3. Martin Richardson (Perth), 4. Tim Churack (Yallingup).

State Champion: Brett Merifield (Yallingup).

Over 45 Men:

1. Brett Merifield (Yallingup), 2. Richard Wain (Yallingup), 3. Glenn Solomon (Cottesloe), 4. Ray Barker (Margaret River).

State Champion: Ray Barker (Margaret River).

Over 50 Men:

1. Chris Fullston (Yallingup), 2. Mike Nuenuebel (Denmark), 3. Brent Moss (Secret Harbour), 4. Richard Wain (Yallingup).

State Champion: Chris Fullston (Yallingup).

Over 55 Men:

1. Peter Dunn (Cottesloe), 2. Nigel Coote (Yallingup), 3. Gary McCormick (Mullaloo), 4. Bruce Montgomery (Geraldton).

State Champion: Peter Dunn (Cottesloe).

Over 60 Men:

1. Dave Robertson (Shelly), 2. Mick Marlin (Yallingup), 3. Phil Clifford (Cottesloe) 4. Gerry Bejarano (Karrinyup).

State Champion: Mick Marlin (Yalligup).

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