Jackson Close tops the SUP heap in Queensland

SUP Updates

Close outpointed world-class field to claim the blue ribbon Open Men’s division

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 July, 2012 : - -  Jackson Close outpointed a world-class field today, to claim the blue ribbon Open Men’s Queensland Stand-Up-Paddleboard Title, concluding the three-day Surfing Queensland SUP & Paddle Festival presented by Surftech.

Held in clean, 0.5m waves at Palm Beach, Close scored an unassailable heat total of 16.83 (out of a possible 20) in the final, defeating Keahi de Aboitiz (Noosa, Qld – 15.24), Justin Holland (Kingscliff, NSW – 13.37) and Geoff Breen (Noosa, Qld – 13.30) to claim the prestigious crown.

“It was a really exciting final to be out there with those guys, the level of competition gets higher each year,” said Close. “Hopefully we can go down to the Australian Titles now next month and bring home the title to Queensland,” he said.

Reigning Queensland and Australian Open Women’s SUP champion Shakira Westdrop (Tugun, Qld – 10.56) claimed another trophy for her mantle piece today, taking out the Open Women’s division ahead of Jenny Ryan (Currumbin, Qld – 10.10), Alison Fullagar (Palm Beach, Qld – 8.46), Angela Jackson (Palm Beach, Qld – 5.63) who finished second to fourth respectively.

Meanwhile, Anthony Smith (Cabarita, Qld – 14.67) caused an upset for the local contingent in the O/40 mixed gender division, outpointing Steve Richardson (Currumbin, Qld – 11.27), Robert Pirie (Sorento, Qld – 9.73) and Pete Dorries (Elanora, Qld – 8.10) who finished second to fourth respectively.

The Surfing Queensland SUP & Paddle Festival presented by Surftech provides the exclusive qualification pathway for Queensland athletes aiming to compete at the 2012 Australian SUP Titles at Port Macquarie, NSW in August and subsequently the 2013 International Surfing Association (ISA) Paddleboard and SUP World Championships.

The Pathway:
1. 2012 Surfing Queensland SUP & Ocean Paddle Festival presented by Surftech
2. 2012 Australian SUP Titles
3. 2013 International Surfing Association Paddleboard & SUP World Championships

Divisions:
Open Men - Top four qualify for Queensland SUP Team
Open Women - Top two qualify for Queensland SUP Team
O/40 Mixed - Top two qualify for Queensland SUP Team
The Surfing Queensland SUP & Ocean Paddle Festival presented by Surftech is proudly supported by SurfTech, Xcel, Gold Coast City Council, Surfing Queensland XXXX Summer Bright Lager and Australia’s Surfing Life. 

www.surfingqueensland.com

Source: Surfing Queensland

Author: Chad Calderon / Surfing QLD

Tags: SUP, Surfing Queensland, Queensland SUP Surfing Titles

SUP: Surfersvillage