Ben King Memorial Classic draws some of top Aussies
Ben King Memorial Classic
Presented by Ocean & Earth Byron Bay NSW 14 - 16 April 2006
HIGH SCORES FROM AUSTRALIA’S BEST SURFERS
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 April, 2006 : - - Some of Australia’s best surfers outside the World Championship Tour were ripping apart one to two metre solid peaks at Tallows Beach, Byron Bay on Day two of the Ben King Memorial Classic. In the 31st year of the Byron Bay Easter Classic the event was renamed after the sudden passing of Byron Bay Boardriders President and local legend Ben King. Surfers from all around Australia put on a magnificent display for spectators at Byron Bay, Open Men, Senior Men, Masters, and cadets competed today and high scores were the norm.
Former WCT surfer Luke Hitchings was the standout of the day scoring the highest single wave score and heat score of the entire event in his quarter final leaving all others in the wake of his spray. Hitchings scored a 9.83 out of a possible 10 points for his second wave, rewarded for a series of searing vertical backhand re-entries on an over head wave. He followed that with a similar wave scoring 9.27 for a heat total of 19.10 points out a possible 20 points. Hitchings’ now must firm as a favourite to take out the event.
Other surfers to perform included; Byron Bay’s Yerin Brown, who got an overhead deep backhand barrel to score the third highest wave score of the event, Queensland Champion Damon Harvey who ripped into the long left-handers, Yamba’s Matt Jones, Alexandra Headland surfer Blake Wilson, Coolum surfer Dane Hamilton, children’s television host Beau Walker (Nitro, “The Shack”), and Byron Bay super grommet Ellis Ericson who will all will fight it out for the prestigious title.
The cadets took on the overhead conditions like old pros, none better than local mini-grom Garrett Parkes who had a heat score of 17.34 out of possible 20 points, carving vertical re-entries and full rail carves to have onlookers amazed at the skill showed by such a young surfer. Ben King’s son Kurt also ripped into the waves earning a place alongside Parkes in the semi-finals.
Senior Men’s (Over 28 years), Masters (Over 40 years) also were also reveling in the conditions, organizers stoked with the waves Mother Nature provided.
Competition in the final day of the Ben King Memorial Classic concludes tomorrow, with finals commencing from 11.00 am with surfers in 9 divisions fighting it out for trophies cash and prizes, and the honour of winning a division of the Ben King Memorial Classic.
For exact times of the various finals contact Media Manager Terry “Tappa” Teece on 0419 681 804, on site from 7.30 am, the venue is mobile to be decided from 6.30 am.
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