Odyssey 20/20 Men's Pro glows at Noosa Fest of Surfing

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 March, 2007 : - - The 6 Star WLT ASP Australasia rated Odyssey 20/20 Men’s Pro took centre stage today at the Noosa Festival of Surfing as the ocean turned on flawless conditions at First Point (Noosa Heads). Three time winner of the Men’s Pro, Hawaiian Bonga Perkins was inspiring in his round of 32 heats clocking up a total of 17.53 out of a possible twenty.

The free flowing natural foot racked up some high scoring tube rides that had the large crowd on their feet cheering. Perkins main rival this year Grant Thomas (QLD –Maroocydore) showed why he has taken out the event for the past two years in arrow and is eyeing off the mantle for his third when he posted an 8.43 and 7.57 to narrowly win ahead of Ian Bell who tasted victory at Noosa in 1992.

For Thomas who has just returned from a surf trip to an undisclosed destination with Bongs Perkins, it was a relief to put the first heat to bed, “I was pretty happy the tide was low and conditions so good for my heat, it really felt great out there and it’s always good to clock up a high score early on in a heat, then you can pull back the throttle a little”, Said Grant.

Former World Champion Ray Gleave (NSW) and Seb Wilson (QLD, Coolum) were unlucky in their heat against Michael Bellamy and Perkins. The pair surfed brilliantly but couldn’t mange to pick up a second high score ride in the dying moments.

Harrison Roach (QLD, Noosa) and Harley Ingleby (NSW) combined well in the epic waves, Roach collecting a total of 17.73 with a series of brilliant rides from way out beyond the line up, finishing directly on the beach in front of the crowd and judges.

Ingleby posted a 16.67 total and seemed happy to get the nerves out of the way, “The first heats is usually the hardest because I get a bit nervous, but when the surf is as good as it was today, I really couldn’t wait to get out there and into it”, said Harley.

One of the local standouts today was Ben Fesselet (QLD, Mudjimba) who won both his round one and two heats with ease. Fesselet has managed to fly under the radar up until now and has attracted the attention of the elite field, Bonga Perkins in particular who will take on the Sunshine Coast surfer in their quarter final clash, “You can’t take anyone for granted in competition, especially when it’s in such fantastic waves like the ones here in Noosa’, said Bonga.

Meantime World Champion Josh Constable made his intention clear by posting both the highest wave score, a 9.67 out of a possible 10 and the highest total, 17.84 out of a possible 20. The world champ is tolling the bell and eager to put an end to both Perkins and Thomas along the way, “They surf so well and it will be awesome to come up against them in the later rounds, especially if the swell is still pumping”, said Josh.

Wednesday will see the first heats hit the surf at 7am, with the likely venue to again be First Point – Noosa.

The program will be as follows:
The open women’s amateur heats will finish up another big day of surfing.
The Amateur Men’s round one heats, followed by the Golden Breed Noserider rd 1 heats.

Noosa Festival of Surfing supporting partners includes: Global Surf Industries, Sunshine Coast Daily, Queensland Events, Tourism Noosa, Noosa Council, ASP Australasia, Coastalwatch, Surfing Australia. For Further Noosa Festival of Surfing Information: