Oakley State Teams Challenge

Surfing Queensland
Gold Coast, Queensland
31 October - 1 November 2009

Big Names, Big Moves & Big Scores At Day-One Of The Oakley State Teams Challenge!

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 31 October, 2009 : - - Gold Coast - High-rise buildings, buzzing crowds and contestable 0.5-1m beach breaks at Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast) provided the perfect amphitheatre for day-one of the 2009 Oakley State Teams Challenge.   

Surfing’s version of State-of-Origin, the 2009 Oakley State Teams Challenge saw Matt Bemrose (Curl Curl) get New South Wales off to a flying start, dominating Coolangatta’s Nick Vasicek in their singles division showdown, with a combined two-wave total of 14.00 (out of a possible 20) to Vasicek’s 9.16.  

However, the New South Wales’ momentum came to a screeching halt enduring four successive defeats in the following singles division heats. 10 of Australia’s best surfers the Oakley State Teams Challenge Queensland’s and New South Wales’ best surfers go head-to-head in an epic two-day tussle. 

The varying wave conditions played a pivotal role on day-one of the annual battle as Queensland’s team of young-guns showcased superior adaptability racing to the lead with 158.57 points to New South Wales’ 121.07.  

During the tandem competition format, which requires two competitors from each state to ride a wave simultaneously, Queenslanders Jack Freestone (Coolangatta, Gold Coast) and Chris Friend (Alex Headland, Sunshine Coast) combined brilliantly to register a nine-point ride (out of a possible 10) before their teammates Julian Wilson (Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast) and Noah Lane (Sunshine Beach, Sunshine Coast) further increased Queensland’s score with a 8.17 (out of a possible 10) in their respective tandem heat.  

Sydneysiders Davey Cathels (North Narrabeen) and Matt Bemrose (Curl Curl) were gallant in a trailing side, salvaging some pride for their New South Wales teammates after dominating their heat in the doubles division and looking to build momentum heading into the final day of the event.  

“We’re just giving the Queensland boys a false sense of security before we absolutely smoke them tomorrow,” Cathels said with his tongue firmly in his cheek.  

When competition in the 2009 Oakley State Teams Challenge resumes tomorrow, the first heat of the singles division will see former ASP World Tour superstar Danny Wills (Byron Bay, NSW) up against lethal Sunshine Coast goofy-footer Noah Lane.   

Currently leading the overall series victories 2-1, Queensland will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins (2007, 2008 and potentially 2009), while New South Wales will be out to level the score and restore some much needed state pride after back-to-back series defeats. 

Teams: 
Running from October 31 to November 1 on the Gold Coast, the Oakley State Teams Challenge features five superstar surfers from each state respectively and this year’s roster boasts a who’s who of Australian surfing.

New South Wales Team: 
Opting for a combination of youth and experience, the New South Wales team includes: 
Dany Wills (Byron Bay) –Renowned former World Championship Tour competitor and multiple WCT event winner 
Matt Bemrose (Curl Curl) – Former Open Men’s Australian Champion & World Qualifying Series veteran
Dean Bowen (Gerroa), Davey Cathels (Narrabeen) Garret Parkes (Byron Bay) 
New South Wales’ Top Ranked ASP Australasia Pro Junior Surfers ( Men’s #2, #3 and #5 respectively) 
Coach: Richie Lovett – Former World Championship Tour competitor 

Queensland Team:
Meanwhile, the young-guns of Queensland will be out to prove that what they lack in age, they more than make up for in ability – the Queensland team includes:
Julian Wilson (Coolum) – No introduction needed here…Sunshine Coast wonder-kid with the world at his feet. Wilson defeated Nine-time World Champion Kelly Slater at this year’s Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast) and is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in international surfing. 
Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta) – Reigning Queensland Championship Circuit Champion
Jack Freestone (Coolangatta) – Current Queensland U/18 Boys State Champion
Chris Friend (Alex Headland) & Noah Lane (Rainbow Beach)
Queensland’s Top Ranked ASP Australasia Pro Junior Surfers (Men’s #4 and #7 respectively) 
Coach: Gary Kong Elkerton – Two-time World Championship Tour Runner-up  

Call the Surfing Queensland Event Hotline after 7am (each day of competition) for the daily event location 
Surfing Queensland Hotline Ph# 07 3030 6388

The Oakley State Teams Challenge is proudly supported by Waves Magazine and Surfing Queensland. Stay tuned to surfingqueensland.com for news, photos and updates relating to the event. Call the Surfing Queensland Event Hotline after 7am (each day of competition) for the daily event location - Surfing Queensland Hotline Ph# 07 3030 6388

The Oakley State Teams Challenge commence October 31 and conclude November 1, 2009.

www.oakley.com.au
www.surfingqueensland.com

What's your take on this?
Post your thoughts: SV Forum

New Survey: Map Surfing’s future 

More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts

New! B2B News ASBE-Surf   |  Receive News-Alerts

Chad Calderon

Contests - Surfersvillage