Country Energy Australian Surf Festival

Surfing New South Wales
Port Macquarie New South Wales
16 - 29 August 2009

Constable creates history at Port Macquarie

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 August, 2009 : - - Port Macquarie, NSW -- Josh Constable (Noosa, QLD) created a piece of Australian surfing history today at the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival after being crowned the first ever Australian Stand-Up Paddle champion. After a momentus day yesterday, Constable prooved his unbridled talent to all at town beach.

Having ridden a wave of popularity, across the globe, over the past decade, stand-up paddleboarding has etched its way firmly into the sphere of competitive and recreational surfing, culminating with today’s inaugural event. With the best watermen in Australia showcasing the emerging sport, Constable was in great touch, showing no signs of fatigue after winning his fifth Australian Longboard title just a day earlier.

“I’m over the moon,” he said after defeating Matt Lumley (Torquay, VIC), Keahi De Aboitiz (Sunshine Beach, QLD) and Tully St John (Noosa, QLD), who finished second, third and fourth respectively, in a high-scoring, action packed final.

“To be the first ever Australian champion is such an amazing feeling,” he added. “It is definitely up there with my first ever Australian title,” said the now six-time National champion. After a two-year hiatus from the sport, Constable was still as sharp as ever surfing with speed, flow and determination – echoing the immense talent he has on a longboard.

Having sliced his calf muscle in 2007, a key muscle for paddleboarding, he showed no signs of rust or the painful injury that kept him off the paddleboard until today. “Today was the first time I have ridden a stand-up paddleboard in two years,” he admitted. “I expected to be a bit rusty the morning, but I felt great and it all came back to me really quickly.”

The hybrid discipline, which takes inspiration from surfing, skiing, wakeboarding and skateboarding, continues to rapidly evolve and grow in popularity, something which Constable is happy to be a part of.

“It’s great to see the sport evolving and emerging as it’s own entity,” Constable continued. “Paddleboarding is a great sport and an amazing workout for your body.” “I’ll be back next year to defend my title,” he added. Tomorrow will see the first full day of competition for the Australian Surfmasters Titles as 11 National Titles are awarded.

With an expected increase in swell as the week drives toward the business end of the competition the stage shall be set for some amazing performances from Australia’s best. The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival will take place from August 15 – 29 2009 at Port Macquarie.
 
For more information on The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival visit australiansurffestival.com.au
 
The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival is presented by Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW and is proudly supported by Country Energy, Events NSW, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Mercure Centro Hotel, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Port Macquarie Tourism, Tourism NSW, Australian Sports Commission , Ocean & Earth, Coastalwatch, Sydney Weekender, Port Macquarie News, NBN TV, Star FM, Macquarie Hotel, The Town Green Inn, Australia’s Surfing Life Magazine and Australian Longboarding Magazine.

Australian Stand-Up Paddle Titles – Final Results
1. Josh Constable – 15.40pts           
2. Matt Lumley - 14.30pts                
3. Keahi De Aboitiz - 11.35pts
4. Tully St John - 6.25pts         

About Country Energy: Country Energy manages Australia’s largest power supply network across 95 per cent of New South Wales’ land mass and offers retail electricity in  six  states and territories. As a leading Australian energy services corporation,  owned  by  the  New South Wales Government, Country Energy employs  around  4,200  people in regional and rural areas, serving more than 800,000 customers.
 

Previous reports:
# 1 : Country Energy Australian Surf Fest set for Pt Macquarie
# 2 : Australian Longboard Titles set for Country Energy Fest
# 3 : Australian SUP Titles to run with Country Energy Festival

# 4 : Country Energy Australian Surf Festival celebrating art..  
# 5 : Country Energy Australian Surf Festival all ready to go.. 
# 6 : Young guns blaze a trail at Australian Longboard Titles

# 7 : Australian Longboard Titles continues to fire on Day #3
# 8 : Finals fast approaching for Australian Longboard Titles
# 9 : Veterans rule Day #5 of the Australian Longboard Titles
# 10 : Longboard title finals set to roll at Country Energy Fest

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www.australiansurffestival.com.au

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Michael Tyrpenou
Surfing NSW Media Manager
michaelt@surfingnsw.com.au

Peter Hunt
Surfing NSW Operations Manager
peterh@surfingnsw.com.au

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