Ben Godwin : photo Steve Robertson
Sunshine Surfmasters Presented by Tooheys Extra Dry
ASP WQS 1 Star Mens Event Flat Rocks Geraldton Western Australia 24 - 26 August 2007
Ben Godwin (Foster, NSW) takes out the inaugural Sunshine Surfmasters presented by Tooheys Extra Dry
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 August, 2007 : - - The final day of the Sunshine Surfmasters started with wobbly 1.5m - 2m waves on offer thanks to a building swell hitting the Mid North-West coast. The waves improved throughout the day with a dropping tide & culminated with a great final featuring local favourite Courtney Brown (Kalbarri, WA) & underdog Ben Godwin (Foster, NSW).
By 8am the sun had appeared & warmed up the waves for the first WQS semi final. This heat an absolute delight for all spectators with the two form surfers of the event going head to head. It was an all Kalbarri showdown between close friends Ry Craike & Courtney Brown that produced fantastic surfing from the opening minutes. Craike was left chasing is tail as Brown hooked into three great waves in the first five minutes of the heat.
Brown’s 7.50 and 7.15 opening rides left Craike needing 8.15 to hit the lead. Craike waited patiently for a set wave & secured a 7.25 with 8 minutes remaining, but ran out of time before he could find a 7.41 require for the win. Courtney Brown had taken out his more fancied opponent & was humble in his win. “Craike & I are great mates & I knew that I’d d to do something special to beat him out there” said Brown.
The second semi final saw Ben Godwin slip into the barrel of the event & was rewarded with an opening 8.25 ride, placing him in the box seat at the 5 minute mark. Former Australian champ Brett Hardy (Margaret River, WA) needed a combination of 17.61 to snatch the lead and play a part in the final. However, good competition tactics saw Ben Godwin streak ahead & straight into the final.
One of the highlights of the day was the Tooheys Extra Dry Expression Session which was an invitational event that showcased some futuristic & innovative surfing to say the least. Joe Haddon (Foster, NSW) opened out with a huge backside air & linked together some great turns to take out the $500 best wave. While Yalligup’s Jay Davies walked away with $500 for the best manoeuvre with one of his trademark punts.
The 1* WQS final saw Courtney Brown, who had been on fire in each of his heats, taking on Ben Godwin who consistency had caught every bodies eye. With the low tide it was the inside waves that were wrapping around the reef at Flat Rocks offering some really critical sections for both finalists. It was a classic Goofy vs.
Natural match up & Godwin surfing on his forehand that used a repertoire of sweeping roundhouse cutbacks & flashy snaps that saw him lock in a 6.50 & 8.40 for his opening two rides. This left Brown requiring something in the excellent range to take the lead. Godwin’s total of 15.15 points left Brown chasing a 8.16 to take the lead & unfortunately couldn’t find the waves that he needed. Godwin’s devastating start left him in the box seat for the duration of the final.
”Im sooo stoked with the win, I came over here to surf Kalbarri & get some training in before the Nationals back at home, but to walk away with the win makes the trip that much sweeter” said an ecstatic Godwin who walked away with $2500.00 USD for his efforts. The inaugural Sunshine Surfmasters was a great success & is anticipated to return again in 2008.
Previous reports: # 1 : Sunshine Surfmasters 'QS underway in great conditions
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