A surf check a dawn revealed the waves had picked up a little 1-2ft at best with a strong SE wind. The call was made to run the comp on the bank midway on Boomerang.
Things kicked off with the Cadet Final and it was Jackson Giles who picked off a great wave to get things going. He jammed in 2 really nice turns in and scored a 6.0. Nick Kennedy found a few good ones and held onto the lead whilst Tom K, Luke and Jackson had a tough time trying to find that good scoring 2nd wave. Time was running out but with 3 minutes to go Jackson swung around on this little right peak and that was enough to give him the win over Nick.
For the 1st time this year the groms got to surf in the main comp area and they showed everyone how much there surfing has developed this year. The boys and girls ripped it up in the smaller conditions. Like every other comp this year there was 2 points separating the top 3 fellas with Max taking the win over Tye and Luke. Similar in the girls division Kirra overcame a strong finishing Chloe to win the comp.
Congrats and well done to all younger kids this year. Their surfing has really developed throughout the year and they will only get better and better the older they get.
The Junior Girls fronted up straight after the Micros and again showed the how much their surfing has improved through the year. Tayla took the early in the event but Mia and Tori who had been patiently waiting for the bigger sets got the scores late in the heat. It was all very close and once the sheets were tallied Mia just beat Tori on a count back and Tayla was 1 point further back.
The Junior Boys Final was a see sawing affair with the lead swapping several times during the 20 min final. Harry & Jarrod were the early pace setters and with 7 to go it looked like the others had no hope. But as happens a couple of waves in a couple of minutes saw Callan Vella (Matt O love child) & Hank come back into contention. Harry still had the lead until a minute before the siren when Hank caught the bomb wave and ripped it apart to steal the win from Harry, Callan, Jarrod and Dylan
The most hotly contested was the division was the GM’s with 12 wife dodgers’ sorry keen surfers signing on. In the end it was “The Competitor” Andrew Williams cruised to victory over Craig Wearne and Koolis and Co.
Dave Lowlett was on fire early scoring big on his first few waves in the Senior Men’s final. Epic & Conyak fought hard to try and peg him back without success. Even with a change of quiver halfway through the final by Conyak didn’t help. In the end Dave comfortably won the final. Being the lone female competitor Vanessa surfed the final and was unlucky not to place in 2nd but couldn’t get a good 2nd scoring wave.
An epic semi saw Booth and Addsy rip apart a fun little right in front of the tent to knock out ratings leader Matt O & No 3 Karl. The other semi saw Gustav and Blake Garnett edge out Luke Fletch and Dustin Cooley for a spot in the final. The Opens Final had it all. Drop ins, great moves, Blake turning up with 7 minutes to go in the final and in one of the tightest finishes this year it was Boothy who took it out Ads 2nd Gussy 3rd Blake 4th. That makes it 2 wins in a row and his late charge this season somewhat resembles Mick Fanning’s charge to the World Title. Will it be enough to win the title or is it too little too late?
Thanks to those who made the trip up to Pacific Palms. As usual, wildlife featured on the trip with numerous dolphin and whale sightings, bucket loads of ticks (one suicidal one made it into El Presidente Wez's butt cheek), 3 angry dingos that bailed up Andrew Kennedy and his dog on Treachery Beach and a confirmed report of the common red crested drunkasaurus in the roadside bushes between the Rec club and Bluey's.
Well that was the last comp for 2009. I can’t believe we ran all 7 comps for the 4th time in 5 years. Thanks to all members for turning up at the comps, all those that help judge, set-up pack up cook BBQ, the committee for their tireless work throughout and a huge thank you to all our sponsors.
Stay safe over the festive season and stay tuned to the web over summer for Tag Team + 2010 details
Micro Boys 1st Max McGuigan, 2 Tye Koolis, 3 Luke Michaels.
Micro Girls 1 Kirra Lowlett Richards, 2 Chloe Buchan
Junior Girls 1 Mia Wearne, 2 Tori Black, 3 Tayla Buchan
Juniors 1 Hank Hartley 2 Harry Bartlett, 3 Callan Vella, 4 Jarred Sorley, 5 Dylan Grujovic
Cadets 1 Jackson Giles, 2 Nick Kennedy, 3 Tom Kurz, 4 Luke Johnson
Womens 1 Vanessa Richards,
Opens 1 Shane Booth, 2 Adam Lawrence 3 Gustavo Bertotto, 4 Blake Garnet.
Senior Mens 1 David Lowlett, 2 Epic, 3 Con, 4 Roy Buchan, 5 Steve Welch.
Grand Masters 1 Andrew Williams, 2 Craig Wearne 3 Koolis, 4 John Sorley, 5 Don Giles, 6 Llyod Suttor.