Noosa Festival of Surfing 2007 
presented by Global surf Industries

ASP Australasia
Sunshine Coast Queensland
5 - 11 March 2007

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

The Young and the Restless Blessed at Noosa Festival of Surfing

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 March, 2007 : - -  Classic surf continues to bless the Noosa Festival of Surfing as organizers take advantage of the favorable weather pattern and run the $7,500 Odyssey 20/20 Men’s Pro semi finals and the $2,500 Banana Boat Women’s Pro semi finals. In flawless one metre waves at First Point Noosa Heads, surfers pushed the boundaries, many regularly picking up wave scores in the high nine point category.

Outstanding performances from current World Champion Josh Constable (QLD, Noosa) and 17yr old sensation Harrison Roach (QLD, Noosa) saw the shock exits of both Grant Thomas (2005,2006 winner) and Hawaiian Bonga Perkins (The only surfer to ever win the men’s pro three times in a row).

In semi final number one Roach and Harley Ingleby (NSW, Coffs) managed to set themselves up with some solid rides, Harrison scored a 9.5 and an 8.6 for a total of 18.10, while Ingleby had an 8.83 and an 8.17 for a total of 17 points.

Bonga Perkins made a late charge, stroking into a larger wave on the outside of the point, then carved the wave face right the way down the point to score a 9.67, but it wasn’t enough finishing third with Michael Bellamy (NSW) in fourth. 

Harrison Roach : photo Surfing Australia

It was a great win for the Noosa local who is on cloud nine after defeating an idol, “Bonga is such a good surfer, competitor and all round waterman, I am just stoked to have made it through today and now I am in the final, anything can happen”, said Roach. 

Ingleby who will join him in the final hasn’t lost a contest for a while now, his latest victory came at the Jetty Surf Pro in Victoria and he has continued the trend here in Noosa eliminating surfers then quickly disappearing from sight. Harley seems to be off the radar but right on track! 

 Semi final number two was a much anticipated showdown with the world champion wasting no time scoring a whopping 9.60 on his opening ride then sealing the win with an 8.47 in the closing moments. The robust natural foot relaxed to be a finalist in an event which has eluded him for some years, “I really wanted to make the final this year, I felt comfortable over the last few days, my boards are going very well which is always a real boost mentally”, said Josh.

Gold Coast surfer Jackson Close has been busting down doors all week too!

Jackson started with a 8.5, then topped it with a 9.13 on his second wave and now he is in the final believes anything is possible, “In the water anything can happen and as long as the waves stay like they were today, I think all of us finalists will go for broke and pull out all the stops to try to get the winners trophy”, said Close.

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The Banana Boat women got the best of the surf today with the low tide providing perfect waves for their semi final encounters. Semi number one saw Lisa Nicholson (NSW) and Crystal Dzigas (NSW) make a clean sweep over the current World Champion Schuyler (USA) and Julie Cox. Three time national champion Chelsea Williams had a dream run against Selby Riddle (QLD) and Clare Dereux (Fra). 

Williams was like a duck to water in the emerald green line up, thoroughly enjoying the long rides and pleasant environment enough to clock up a 9.23 and an 8.67 for a total of 17.90.

Isabelle Braley (NSW) who placed second was overwhelmed to progress to the final, “I can’t believe I am in the final, wow anything can happen now, I am so happy because even if I place fourth I will still be off to France for the World Titles in July which for me is like a win already”, said Isabelle.

Friday will see the likes of dual US Open Tennis Champion Pat Rafter take to the waves when he contests the Global Surf Industries One Design Invitational and Golden Breed Retro Pro heats. Contest Director Alan Atkins will confirm times for events first thing tomorrow morning.

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

Previous reports:
# 1 : Global Surf Industries announce Noosa Fest giveaway
# 2 : Global Surf Industries announces the Noosa VIP winner
# 3 : Keaulana, Kalama and Perkins to kick off Noosa Festival
# 4 : Celebration of all things surf at Noosa Festival of Surf 

# 5 : Coast surfers sight on 3 in a row at Noosa Fest of Surf
# 6 : Noosa Festival of Surfing forecaster expects new swell
# 7 : Noosa Festival of Surfing opening ceremony gearing up
# 8 : Noosa Festival of Surfing kicks off in style at Main Beach

# 9 : Noosa Festival of Surfing: First Point shines for day one
# 10 : Odyssey 20/20 Men's Pro glows at Noosa Fest of Surfing
# 11 : Harrison Roach wins Golden Breed Noserider round 1
# 12: Big Guns begin to Fire at the Noosa Festival of Surfing

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