Day one of the Australian Surf Festival kicked off in throaty two-to-three foot waves today at North Haven, with some of Australia’s best longboarders hitting the lineup.
Jared Neal set the pace early locking in one of the mornings most impressive heat scores. The powerful goofy-footer nabbed a heat total of 15.50 to book his spot into round two.
“It’s always a nice feeling to get a win under your belt early,” said Jared. “There were some good waves coming through and I was able to get two of them at the beginning of the heat, which was pretty much my game plan from the start. There seemed to be one or two nice waves in every set, but you just had to wait for them.”
Neal added: “I think this is my seventh or eighth Australian Titles and I’m definitely hoping to nail the title. I came close last year, when I got second, so I want to get one under my belt before I get too old.”
Clinton Guest took the cake for the highest wave score of the morning locking in a 9.35 ride. The Burleigh surfer threw down a technical combination of forehand cracks to earn himself the much-rewarded score.
“Having come down from the Gold Coast, I didn’t expect the waves to be as good as they were,” said Clinton. “I was really surprised. You couldn’t pick a better day really.”
Clinton added: “It’s definitely a great feeling to lock in the highest heat score and wave score over the Opens division. The wave where I scored the 9.35 didn’t actually look like it was going to be all that great, but it just hugged the bank perfectly and allowed a bunch of turns. I’m stoked.”
For his aforementioned 9.35 ride, Clinton took out the Nikon Wave of the Day award and as a result was awarded with a new Nikon Coolpix AW110 camera.
Local duo Ian Bell and Darren O’Rafferty both locked in wins in their respective first round heats, both notching up scores in the 13-point range. Both surfers will move straight through to the second round.
West Australian surfer Georgia Young impressed the judges taking a bunch of long righthanders, which allowed a series of technical carves and turns. The 2012 Open Womens Longboard Champion was rewarded with a 10.75 heat total, which secured her spot in the semi-finals.
“The waves are pumping out there,” said Georgia post-heat. “It’s sunny, offshore and there’s even a few little barrels. It’s just perfect for longboarding really. I had a ball out there in my heat.”
Prior to the events commencement, team managers from each state participated in a mixing of the waters and welcome to country ceremony to officially signal the beginning of the titles.
The swell is predicted to drop marginally over the next few days with the strong likelihood of northerly winds.
Contest Director Glen Elliot said: “With light winds and no real lows on the radar we are facing small conditions for the next few days. Open breaks like North Haven, Bonny Hills, Middle Rock and Lighthouse Beach are the best options in small swells. Some back beaches in northerly winds may be considered if there are good banks.”
All heat results, event highlight clips and news is available at www.australiansurffestival.com
All competitors are advised to ring the event hotline (0458 247 212) by 6.45am on the days of competition to confirm location and running order.
The main base for the Australian Surf Festival will be Town Beach, which is located in the heart of Port Macquarie, however the event is mobile with numerous beach break options available between Port Macquarie and North Haven (20 minutes drive south of Port Macquarie CBD) including Flynns Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Rainbow Beach at Bonny Hills and Grants Beach at North Haven.
This year’s event will feature a busy schedule out of the water with live music and surf education courses, including Surfing NSW’s free CPR and board rescue course, Surfers Rescue 24/7. Town Green Inn is the official headquarters for all functions and courses.
The Australian Surf Festival is a key regional event on the NSW Events Calendar, and is supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The Australian Surf Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government, Destination NSW, Port Macquarie Tourism, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Be the Influence, Harley-Davidson Australia, Town Green Inn, Nikon, Suncorp, Australian Sports Commission, Coastalwatch, NBN, Port Macquarie News, 2MC, Star FM, Surfing World Magazine and Pacific Longboarder Magazine.
2013 AUSTRALIAN SURF FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
10-18 August – Australian Longboard Titles
16-18 August – Australian Logger Titles
16-18 August – Australian Longboard Titles – Under 18 Boys and Girls
19-23 August – Australian Surfmasters Titles
21-23 August – Australian Single Fin Titles
