Surfing Western Australia
Yallingup, South-West Australia
6 - 7 March 2010

Local knowledge proves to be the difference for WA’s best Longboarders at Yallingup

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 March, 2010 : - - Yallingup delivered the goods over the weekend for the first round of the Surfing WA State Longboard Series presented by SunSmart. Small but near perfect conditions prevailed for competitors and it was local surfers that dominated the event, claiming eight of the thirteen divisions surfed.

Know as the ‘place of love’ in the local aboriginal language, Yallingup lived up to its name, spreading the love amongst the WA longboarding community, with clean one meter waves (1-2 feet) on offer. Yallingup failed to provide the big summer time swells seen in events in the past, despite that clean offshore winds and a good clean swell allowed competitors to set the pace for the preliminary round of the series.

The much anticipated Open Men’s division did not disappoint, with spectators and judges being spoilt as the finalists pushed each other to see who would draw first blood for 2010. After a lengthy lay off for competitive surfing, local surfer Jarryd Foster (Yallingup) showed no sign of losing his touch with a hard fought win in the final.

The gifted goofy footer rose to the occasion and lifted his surfing another notch. Foster, locked in a combination of scores totaling 14.50 out of a possible twenty, with a great 8.00 ride and a back up 6.50 to take the win comfortably ahead of Brett Mason (Yallingup) in second, with 2009 State Open Champion Rahn Goddard (City Beach) in third and Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park) finishing in fourth place.

Foster did not let his time out of competition affect what he does so well.  Fast, fluid and powerful manoeuvres saw Foster take the lead within the opening 10 minutes of the final.  

“It’s good to be back surfing with the boys, and Im stoked to have won the first event, it gives me a positive outlook on the remaining events of the series.  Although it was a touch small it was really fun and I had a great time out there” said Foster.

The Open Women’s division presented a changing of the guard, with some new, younger ladies taking on the well established names of WA longboarding.  Melville’s Claire Finucane has long held the crown as the states leading female longboarder, with both state and national championships under her belt. Finucane’s surfing is perfectly suited to waves at Yallingup and set the tone of the final with an opening 7.00 ride which she built on to claim the win.

Michaela Ross (Denmark) continued her rapid improvement and made an impressive display, impressing in the Open Women’s and also claiming a win in the Under 18 Junior Women’s final. In the Open Women’s it was a determined Finucance who came out on top, ahead of Ross in second, Rachel Dawe (Lancelin) finished in third, and Asha Reeves (Denmark) in fourth place.

“Its so encouraging to see all the young girls coming through the ranks and keeping us on our toes. To all the young Denmark girls it’s a pleasure to be surfing against you and I look forward to the next event.”  Said Finucane said after taking out the Open Women’s and Over 35 Women’s divisions.

The Over 35 Men’s final saw an in form Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park) claim his first win in the division ahead of Ray Barker (Margaret River), Joe Warwick (Halls Head) and Brett Reed (Atwell) who finished second, third and fourth respectively. Calder had a fantastic weekend making two finals and will be looking to represent WA at the 2010 National Titles in Port Macquarie.

Yallingup’s Brett Merifield secured the winners trophy in the Over 40 Men’s final. His daily surfs at Yallingup proved to be the difference as Merrifield picked off the best waves asserted his dominance in the 25 minute final. Another Yallingup local Barrie McKinnon claimed a great win the in Over 45 Men’s division.

However, the most closely contested finals of the weekend were without a doubt the older divisions, where the Over 50’s, Over 55’s and Over 60’s Men all put up impressive showing. The elder statesmen of the sport seemed to take a trip back to their earlier surfing days and were as eager as the junior competitors.

In the Over 50’s final it was Chris Fullston (Yallingup) who tore the Yalls right hander to pieces with some polished backhand surfing. Bill Gibson (Margaret River) was unable to match the wave scores of Fullston and had to settles for second. Richard Wain (Yallingup) finished third and Gary McCormick (Mullaloo) finished in fourth place.

In the Over 55’s Men’s final Gary Tucker (Yallingup) held onto victory against in a very close heat ahead of Nigel Coote (Yallingup). Tucker claimed an emotional win in his first event back from major hip surgery and the elation was hard to hide.

“This is a pretty special moment for me, its great to be back and see all these new young competitors here competing. Its been a long time out for me and to come back and win today is unbelievable.” Said Tucker.

Mick Marlin (Yallingup) dominated on his beloved Yallingup lefts to claim a win in the Over 60’s final, to defeat Dave Robertson (Shelly), Tony Harrison (Albany) in third, Jon Dadd (Cottesloe) finished in fourth.

In other results from the weeked, WA’s number one rated Stand Up Paddler Boarder (SUP) Brett Mason (Yallingup) continued his winning ways, Jed Petley (North Fremantle) won the Under 18 Junior Men, and Dan Refeld won the Under 21 Pro Junior division.

After a hugely successful series start, all eyes are now turned towards round two of the series to which will move to a new location Lancelin in May. The event is set to showcase a few secret gems in the metro area, with the help of the Mullaloo Longboard Club who are celebrating their 10th anniversary the event should not be missed.

Surfing WA State Longboard Series proudly presented by SunSmart and supported by Yalliungup Beach Holiday Park and Surfing WA.

FINAL RESULTS

Open Men:
1. Jarryd Foster (Yallingup), 2. Brett Mason (Yallingup), 3. Rahn Goddard (City Beach), 4. Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park).

Open Women:
1. Claire Finucane (Melville), 2. Michaela Ross (Denmark), 3. Rachel Dawe (Lancelin), 4. Asha Reeves (Denmark).

Stand Up Paddle Board:
1.   Brett Mason (Yallingup), 2. Rahn Goddard (City Beach), 3. Peter Dunn (Cottesloe), 4. Brent Moss (Secret Harbour).
                       
Pro Junior:
1.    Dan Refeld (Hillarys), 2. Mark Matisons (Cottesloe), 3. Jake Stewart (Denmark), 4. Ben Cameron (Denmark).

Under 18 Girls:
1. Michaela Ross (Denmark), 2. Rachel Dawe (Lancelin), 3. Asha Reeves (Denmark), Lucy Small (Denmark).

Under 18 Boys: 
1. Jed Petley (North Fremantle), 2 Jake Stewart (Denmark), 3. Mitch Corbett (City Beach), 4. Lachlan Shaw (Cottesloe).

Over 35 Men:
1. Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park), 2. Ray Barker (Margaret River), 3. Joe Warwick (Halls Head), 4. Brett Reed (Atwell).

Over 35 Women:
1. Claire Finucane (Melville), 2. Sam Vanderford (Scarborough), 3. Bronwyn Fricke (Yallingup).

Over 40 Men:
1. Brett Merifield (Yallingup), 2. Brett Reed (Atwell), 3. Martin Richardson (Perth), Michael Nolan (Bateman).

Over 45 Men: 
1. Barrie McKinnon (Yallingup), 2. Tim Churack (Yallingup),  3. Ray Barker (Margaret River), 4. Rod Lyons (Cottelsoe).

Over 50 Men:
1. Chris Fullston (Yallingup), 2. Bill Gibson (Margaret River), 3. Richard Wain (Yallingup), 4. Gary McCormick (Mullaloo).

Over 55 Men:
1. Gary Tucker (Yallingup), 2. Nigel Coote (Yallingup), 3. Peter Dunn (Cottesloe), 4. John Lamming (Cottesloe).

 Over 60 Men
1.   Mick Marlin (Yallingup), 2. Dave Robertson (Shelly), 3.Tony Harrison (Albany), 4. Jon Dadd (Cottesloe).

www.surfingwa.com.au

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