Layne Beachley claims VB NSW Surfmasters Title win

Layne Beachley (2nd from left) & over 35 women's finalists © Surfing NSW / Renee Miller

VB Surfmasters Titles
Presented by Mobys

Surfing New South Wales
Great Lakes, Mid North Coast, NSW
15 - 17 June 2012

Layne Beachley Wins the NSW VB Surfmasters Title presented by Mobys

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 June, 2012 : - - Sydney -- The highly anticipated swell hitting the east coast of NSW made for perfect conditions, as the VB Surfmasters NSW State Titles crowned 3 champions at Seal Rocks, Layne Beachley took the Women’s state title in the solid 6 foot swell in the Great Lakes.

“It’s so beautiful here, the surf is perfect, I feel like I have had a holiday”, said Beachley after winning the Over 35 Women’s NSW title at Seal Rocks today. It’s the first time Layne and many of the competitors have surfed on this pristine break in the Great Lakes. Beachley had a great time surfing with NSW best over 35 women and was stoked to watch the Masters have a crack at the title.

“It really inspires me watching the olders guys, they don’t give up. Seeing the over 55’s still ripping on short boards inspires me to keep it real and stay on short boards as long as I can”. “Yvonne came up to me and said wow its not every day you get to surf and be coached by a world champion, so that’s great, it was great surfing with the ladies”, said Layne after calling Yvonne onto a wave that cemented her spot in the final.

Turning up with his usual array of surf boards in hand, Matty Cook (Cronulla), had his second shot at the Single Fin and Alaia state Title. After making it through to the Australian Titles in 2011 Cook was up against fellow Sutherland Shire charger Michael Crisp (Cronulla) in the Alaia, with a landslide win. “I’ve been to the area a few times but never have I seen waves break along this headland before”, said Cook of the conditions at Seal Rocks in the Great Lakes.

Cooking up the highest heat score of the day, 18 out of a possible 20, Matty relishes in surfing on the traditional Hawaiian surfboard known as the Alaia. “There’s no fins so its hard to control, your going so fast sliding along the face rather than carving big turns, you’re really just flowing with the speed of the wave, Its just a really good feeling”, said Cook who was crowned on the beach as the 2012 NSW Alaia champion.

Meeting again in the Single Fin final after round 1 brought some big scores, Cook and Crisp had strong competition ahead on the retro boards. His opening lay back wowed the crowd but wasn’t enough to beat Port Macquarie surfer Wayne Hudson who cemented an opening 8.83 and took the Single fin NSW crown.

The over 55 Men’s was a cracking division to watch with competitors travelling from all edges of the NSW Coastline to compete. The early divisions netted big scores, Brad Stewart from Bilgola Plateau placed an early 15.17 in the first round and division winner Mark Phelan took the title with 15.84 in the final.

Major sponsor VB awarded Matty Cook with a case of cold beer, he rode the wave of the day and was an overall performer in the Alaia and Single Fin divisions. Layne Becahley also took home a case of VB as the winner in the Women’s division. All winners received a pair of Vestal sunnies and a sweet Vestal watch was awarded to Beachley as the winner of the over 35 women’s.

The event will also act as the qualifier for Team NSW for the 2012 Australian Surfmasters Titles which are set to be held during the Australian Surf Festival from 11-25 August 2012. Mobys Beachside Retreat will host a VB BBQ dinner for competitors and families, from 6:00pm on Friday 15th June. 2011 event highlights will be played along with a nostalgic surf film.

Over 35 Women
1st: Layne Beachley (Manly)
2nd: Sandra English (Budgewoi)
3rd: Yvonne Lamont (Mount Elliot)
4th: Yvonne Bailey (Merewether)

Over 55 Men
1st: Mark Phelan (Terrigal)
2nd: Glenn Sharrock (Forster)
3rd: Bruce Flint (Caves Beach)
4th: Lee Firking (Boomerang Beach)

Alaia
1st: Matty Cook (Cronulla)
2nd: Michael Crisp (Cronulla)

Single Fin
1st: Wayne Hudson (Port Macquarie)
2nd: Matty Cook (Cronulla)
3rd: Rob Hazlewood (Narrabeen)
4th: Anthony Scarr (Forresters Beach)

www.surfingnsw.com.au