Surfing

Incredible performances by Bodyboard Athletes

The NSW Bodyboard Titles were held at Newcastle Beach this weekend with over 80 competitors vying for a new State Title.

Small conditions didn’t dim the light on the talent this weekend as the state’s top bodyboarders took to the water. With wave height less than two-foot the athletes dug deep to find the speed they needed to impress the judges.

From the Under 12’s division right through to the Masters Over 45’s the energy was pumping in and out of the water. Families and good mates all converging for their annual catchup, and this one a had been a couple of years coming with the disruption of COVID-19.

Ryan Duck from Newcastle took out the Dropknee Title for the second time. “Getting 2 in a row feels nice,” said Duck. “The competition format in this event is amazing. Everything from having a roaming venue to score the best possible waves, having the priority system with repechage rounds just really make it a standout event.”

For another local Novacastrian, Open Men’s Champion Jimmy Leayr, the win was a sweet one after a big three days. “It’s been a great weekend with all the other competitors especially the level of the up and coming grom really progressing. This is my first State Titles win. Quiet a few finals but never cracked a first place, so it’s a good feeling,” Leayr said. “I started competitions when I was 13 with Newcastle Bodyboard Club and have been a member since.”

Jimmy’s young son Ajay joined his dad for the weekend’s competition, his first State Titles event. “Seeing the U12’s out there absolutely frothing with there mates is the best. It’s a massive boosts there confidence,” said the new Open Men’s Champ.

Shane Chalker from Forster Bodyboard Club has supported his family including wife Rhonda and Millie in their bodyboarding for years and is a keen sports photographer. This year was the first year since he was a teen that he’s competed in the State Titles and he has taken home the Over 45 crown, second place in the Over 35’s and a perfect 10-point-ride.

“I’m just so stoked,” said the Mid North Coast Dad. “A good board in average waves is worth it’s weight in gold something that your familiar and confident with helps in a huge way so when you get an opportunity you can capitalise and make the most of the wave.

“Was stoked to get the 10 didn’t think it would have went that high the score but stoked all the same. Have surfed a lot of comps with very few huge scores so I’ll remember that one for a while.”

Newcastle Bodyboard Club has over 85 members and proud President Luke Beeton said, “It was a really successful weekend and quite a big crowd to watch the finals which was great to see and there was some really good surfing going on,” said Beeton. “As a club were proud to be pushing the sport and helping build momentum for the sport and it was great for us to have the opportunity to host this event for the club and community.

“We thought Sunday would be incontestable but it turned out to be perfect for finals with a little swell pulse,” Beeton said. “We had a lot of competitors entered in the event and the whole club got behind the event whether they were on the BBQ, helping out or competing it was just a great vibe. We had Jimmy Leayr’s 9-year-old son surfing in the Under 12’s who ended up with second place and it was just so great to see all ages have a great weekend and results.”

Winners of the State Titles get automatic top seeding into the Australian Surfing Championships at Port Macquarie in August.

For full results view the event Live Heats page here and the event Info Page here.