Saltwater Wine Surf Classic

Hurley NSW Champion Circuit
Old Bar, New South Wales
10 - 11 May 2008

Rhys Bombaci outshines all-star class to take the 2008 Saltwater Wine Classic at Old Bar

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 May, 2008 : - - Rhys Bombaci (Kiama) continued his fantastic 2008 today, as three new champions were crowned at the Saltwater Wine Classic at Old Bar. In what was a heat that could have graced the highest echelon of competitive world surfing, Bombaci managed to defeat Drew Courtney (Umina, NSW), defending champion Darren O’Rafferty (Bonny Hills, NSW) and local standout Joel Reading (Wallabi Point, NSW) in a show stopping final.

“I’m so stoked to get my first win of the year – I have had good results in all the World Qualifying Series (WQS) events this year, but to get my first win is unreal,” he said. “That final was beyond the standard of any WQS competition and is a testament to the level of surfing competing on this Circuit.”

“The Hurley NSW Championship Circuit is really good for surfing in this state it will definitely improve the standard, especially with the young kids,” Bombaci stated. Bombaci, who currently sits 10th on the overall WQS ratings has his sights set firmly on continuing his excellent form, with the possibly of a spot on the ASP World within his grasp.

“My aim this year is the qualify for the ASP World Tour, so I will be competing and training really hard for the rest of the year to achieve that goal,” he said. “But for now I’ll enjoy this victory,” he said.

Ty Watson : photo Michael Tyrpenou/Surfing NSW

Fellow south coast surfer, Ty Watson (Culburra, NSW) was dominant from the first heat of competition, taking out the Junior Men’s (Under 18) division. Watson, who also finished in equal fifth position of the Open Men’s division, was electric throughout the final posting a total heat score of 15.17 (out of a possible 20).

“The conditions were quite hard out there for the final, but we got some awesome waves throughout the entire event so it was still fun. I just missed out on making the Open Men’s finals so to take out the Juniors is sick,” he said. Currently competing on the Pro Junior circuit throughout the country, Watson will be following the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit throughout 2008 in the Open division.

“I haven’t hard the best start to 2008 on the Pro Junior circuit, but this result will hopefully help get the ball rolling,” he said retrospectively. Sam Schuman (Forster) finished second with Matt Dunlop (Diamond Beach) and Mitchell Sykes (Bonny Hills) finishing third and fourth respectively.

In the Cadet (Under 16) division it was 15-year-old hometown hero Oscar Scanes (Old Bar, NSW) who outshone the competition to take home the AU$250 winner’s cheque. In what was the closest final of the event, with a mere 1.84 points separating first place from fourth, Scanes tallied a total heat score of 13.17 (out of a possible 20) to take the victory.

“I’m so stoked to win at home – it’s such a good feeling,” he said. Finishing second last year, Scanes was determined to do one better in 2008, picking up valuable ratings points in the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit. “I finished second last years so I was super keen to win this time around.”

“Making the semi-finals in the Juniors (Under 18) was awesome, I have a really good contest and am happy with my form,” Scanes said. Jordi Watson (Culburra, NSW) who snapped his board within the first ten minutes of the final finished second with Matt Banning (Port Macquarie, NSW) and Jake Sylvester (Newcastle, NSW).

The next event of the Hurley Championship Circuit 2008 sees the action going to Freshwater Beach from 24-25 May with the Dripping Wet Pro. The Saltwater Wine Classic 2008 was proudly supported by Saltwater Wine Surf Centre Taree, Hurley, Club Old Bar, Saltwater Boardriders Club and Surfing NSW.

Hurley NSW Championship Circuit 2008 Schedule:
Saltwater Wine Surf Classic, 10-11 May 2008 at Old Bar
Dripping Wet Pro, 24-25 May 2008 at Freshwater Beach
Triple Bull Pro, 31 May-1 June 2008 at Cronulla
Wild Surf Co. Mattara, 13-14 September 2008 at Newcastle
Zink Surf South Coast Open, 11-12 October 2008 at Werri Beach
Slimes Surf Classic, 1-2 November 2008 at Avoca

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Michael Tyrpenou

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