Orica Tag Team Challenge fires for Surfest

Newcastle Surfest

Merewether, Newcastle NSW
3 - 24 February 2013

Frenchmans Boardriders take inaugural Orica Tag Team Challenge

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 February, 2013 : - - Dan Frodsham, James McMoreland and Duncan McNicol from Frenchmans Boardriders have claimed the inaugural Orica Tag Team Challenge in testing conditions, courtesy of the remnants of Cyclone Oswald. The pounding two-to-three metre surf fanned by a howling south/south-westerly wind at north Stockton - just north of Newcastle - provided high-scoring opportunities for the more experienced competitors.

The Orica Tag Team Challenge was the first official event of the 2013 Surfest Newcastle Australia surfing festival. The team from Frenchmans pocketed $5000 after defeating the North Shelley team comprised of Russell Moloney, Cameron Sharpe and Jonnie Keith. General Manager of Orica Kooragang Island Greg Holmes said it was terrific to see great waves, solid local interest and support and a friendly rivalry between competitors underpin the entire three day event.

"Orica Kooragang Island is very pleased to have made this contribution to the local community and Surfest. "It's very rewarding for the company to present the first event to be run in its entirety at Stockton in Surfest's 28-year history," Mr Holmes said. Northside boardriders coordinator Sean Shotter said the Orica initiative was a real shot in the arm for grass roots surfing.

"We'd like to thank Orica for their fantastic commitment and we look forward to developing a strong long term relationship with Orica and Surfest that will lead to a bigger and better event next year and future years," Mr Shotter said. Surfest cordinator Warren Smith said the support and interest from both Orica and boardriding clubs continues to demonstrate that Surfest remains focused on attempting to ensure engagement with all levels of the community and all levels of competitive surfing.

"It's worth remembering that it's boardriding clubs that provide the training ground for tomorrow's champions and the level of surfing in the Orica Tag Team Challenge blew spectators away. It just goes to show the depth of surfing talent we have in this country," Mr Smith said.

Orica Tag Team Challenge Results

1. Frenchmans Boardriders ($5000)
Dan Frodsham, James McMoreland and Duncan McNicol

2. North Shelley 1 ($2000)
Russell Moloney, Cameron Sharpe and Jonnie Keith.

3. Semi-finalists ($900 each)
Merewether 1 
Jackson Brent, Paul Parkes, Kurtis Herman.

Catherine Hill Bay
Justin Lee, Tyler Williams, Josh Radford.

The 2013 Surfest Newcastle Australia features the Burton Toyota Pro (Men’s ASP 6-Star) and the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic (Women’s ASP 6-Star), along with eight supporting events. The event is made possible with the support of Burton Toyota, the Hunter Sports Sports Group, Newcastle City Council and the NSW Government through Destination NSW. Surfest Newcastle Australia is conducted over 12 days from February 13-24 at Merewether beach, a recognised Australian National Surfing Reserve.

www.surfest.com

Source: Surfest

Author: Paul Scott

Tags: Burton Toyota Pro, Newcastle Surfest, ASP Star Events

ASP: Surfersvillage