Mattara Classic celebrates 51st year at Newcastle

Mattara Surf Classic

Surfing New South Wales
Newcastle, New South Wales Australia
22 - 23 September 2012

51st Mattara Surf Classic to run at Newcastle

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 September, 2012 : - - The 51st Mattara Surf Classic on the 22nd and 23rd of September 2012, officially beginning the event’s second half century of surfing competition right here in Newcastle. The Mattara as the contest has become known, is unique among Australia's surfing competitions. It has gone on to become the longest consecutively run surfing contest in Australia's competitive surfing history, along with the annual Bells Beach Surf Classic in Victoria.

Since Jim Newburn’s inaugural win in 1962, international champions such as Mark Richards, Michael Peterson, Nat Young and Damien Hardman have all graced the Mattara Surf Classic's winner's dais, adding to the prestige that the Mattara already carries for it’s 50 years of running. Mark Richards, the most successful male Australian surfer in International surfing’s history and a past Mattara winner regards the event highly.

"The Mattara Classic is one of the longest running events in Australia with a rich history of Who's Who of Australian Surfers having competed in or won the event. Winning the 1974 Mattara Classic, beating Mark Warren, Terry Fitzgerald, Peter Townend, Michael Peterson and Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew was my ticket to the entry to the Smirnoff ProAm in 1974, the most prestigious events of the era," * said Richards.

Last years 50th anniversary winner Shane Holmes from the Central Coast shared what it means to be a Mattara Champion. “To win the 50th annual Mattara Surf Classic meant a lot to me, because there are some massive names in the past who have won the Mattara, and I'm stoked that my name is now on that trophy.”
With a renewed focus on the grass roots of surfing in Newcastle this year, surfing organisers are expecting a good turn out of local competitors eager to win this years prestigious event and the cash and prizes on offer.

The entries for the Open event will be limited with a new Pro Junior Division being created for U/21’s that will allow the opportunity for the growing number of Pro Junior Surfers in Newcastle and beyond to showcase their skills. Organisers have also decided to run an U18’s Girls division alongside the already successful U16‘s Boys division in what should ensure an action packed event.

The 51st Annual Mattara Surf Classic is proudly brought to you by Sanbah, Shotters Lawyers, NHS Building, Surfing Newcastle and Surfing NSW.

www.surfingnsw.com.au

Source: Surfing NSW

Author: Richard Agius / Renee Miller

Tags: Surfing Newcastle, New South Wales, Mark Richards, Mattara

Events: Surfersvillage