Rodney Stevens and Savannah Campbell

Big waves were matched by some huge performances as the Waveski Surfing Australia Australian Open was held at Lower Clarence beaches over the past week.

Waveski Surfing Australia WSA President Richard Lake said the week started off with huge surf, forcing contest director Rees Duncan to make some difficult calls, resulting with a lay day on Monday, then moving to Brooms Head for Tuesday and Wednesday. 

“This turned out to be an excellent call with some great waves coming through out on the reef,” he said. 

By Thursday, Mr Lake said conditions had improved and the contest returned to Yamba.

“We were able to move back to Turners Beach in Yamba, with the A graders taking on some large and heavy waves, showing some truly impressive surfing in tough conditions,” he said. 

“As the days went on, the surf calmed down until there was glassy 2-3ft conditions for the finals.”

When the finals came around, Mr Lake said the conditions were great for some of the world’s best, including 11-time world champion, Grafton’s Rees Duncan, to put in their best performances in preparation for November’s World Titles in California.

“The Australian Open is our premier event and counts as double points towards the overall Australian Champions,” he said. 

“The level of surfing was incredible and received praise from our professional board judges. 

“There were a number of standout performances, and this was reflected in the results.”

Open

In the open, Mr Lake said Rees Duncan, Tony Cherry, Graham Lancaster, Darren Kearns, Darren McIntyre and Steve Blatchford dominated with impressive aerials, speed and powerful manoeuvres.

Results

1st Rees Duncan; 2nd Tony Cherry; 3rd Graham Lancaster; 4th Steve Blatchford.

Women

Mr Lake said the women’s final included our only overseas entry, Heather Seaton from NZ, ‘although Aussies like to think of Heather as one of our own.’ 

“There was some great surfing by all the ladies, and they all enjoyed the excellent waves,” he said.

Results

1st Karen Campbell; 2nd Heather Seaton; 3rd Savannah Campbell; 4th Jackie Dillon.

Qualifier

 The Qualifiers had an equally thrilling battle, Mr Lake said. 

“Reigning champion, Mick Jones, was too strong and took out another win, ahead of the ‘one to watch’ Paul Gray,” he said.

Results

1st Mick Jones; 2nd Paul Gray; 3rd Terry Oehm; 4th Savannah Campbell.

Challengers

Mr Lake said the Challengers comp was also tight and the final was extremely close between all four surfers.

Results

1st Steve Wallis; 2nd Rob Wilson; 3rd Dave Andrews; 4th Steve (party wave) Waters.

Age Divisions

“As usual the age divisions were fought over with much enthusiasm,” Mr Lake said. 

“It doesn’t matter whether you are in your 20s or 70s, the competition is always fierce.

New Age:

1st Ollie Buxton; 2nd Savannah Campbell.

Masters:

1st Rees Duncan; 2nd Tony Cherry; 3rd Mick Feenan.

Grand Masters:

1st Darren Kearns; 2nd Steve Blatchford; 3rd Darren McIntyre; 4th Graham Lancaster.

Veterans:

1st Bill Campbell; 2nd Terry Oehm; 3rd Steve Howarth; 4th Russell Hudson.

Legends:

1st Garry Ross; 2nd Graham Roberts; 3rd Col Sugars; 4th Jeff Gray.

Without the generous sponsorship of Clarence Valley Council and local businesses including the Yamba Shores Tavern, The Pacific Hotel, Sassafras and The Wobbly Chook, Mr Lake said the Australian Open wouldn’t be the success it was.

“It was an awesome week with heaps of social nights was completed on Saturday night at The Wobbly Chook Brewery,” he said. 

“Thanks goes to our WSA committee, Rees Duncan for being the contest director and still dominating the comp.

“Also, Russell Hudson, Garry Ross and Bill Campbell in the tallying tent, plus Tony Cherry who created the draw and tallied the points on Saturday afternoon, this is always a mammoth task. 

“Brett Titterton, and Dave and Judy Andrews organised some incredible sponsorship, and social events and thanks to Paul Ansell for coming along and spending the week taking photos rain, hail or shine. 

“Many great friendships have been formed that will last a lifetime, both with the competitors and spouses who come along and get involved.”