 |
North Haven turns on for the Australian Surf Festival final’s. |
Russ Molony ditches his fins out the back of a North haven runner. Pic: ASF/RMiller/Nikon
The Australian Surf Festival wrapped up today at North Haven, Port Macquarie where NSW surfers Russell Molony (Central Coast, NSW) and Philippa Anderson (Merewether, NSW) were crowned the respective Open Men’s and Women’s champions.
For Russ, who escaped a tight tussle in the semi-final in tricky conditions at back-up location Middle Rock earlier in the day, the win was a sweet one. The stylish natural footer remarkably had his competitors in a combination situation with a hefty a 8.65 and a 9.5 to to beat form surfer of the event Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW), Joe Sear (Cronulla, NSW) and former world tour surfer Darren O’Rafferty (Bonny Hills, NSW).
Local legend Darren O’Rafferty flying on a knifes edge. Pic: ASF/RMiller/Nikon
“All the boys surfed amazing and I just got lucky on the day,” said Molony. “I’m stoked the waves came to me. I got a nice little inside wave and got a good score. The waves here were so good so I’m glad they moved it from Middle Rock.”
Although right at home among Australia’s best Russ qualified for the NSW team after winning the Australian Indigenous Titles held in Bells Beach in May this year, instead of through the state titles, which is the norm. All of team NSW was stoked to have the red-hot Russ in blue colours, and of course Molony was chuffed with his second Aussie title in 2012.
“I am so happy,” he said. “I just want to give a big shout out to all the Indigenous guys around Australia. Thanks to everyone at Surfing Victoria. That’s how I was able to surf in this event, by winning the Koori titles at Bells.”
Another notable performance was that of defending 35 and over champion Jake Spooner (aka Cold Schooner), who has gone back-to-back in 2012. Jake will be a force to reckon with for the World ISA title when and where that goes down next year.
Pippa Anderson bangs the lip in the shadow of the North Haven break wall. Pic: AF/RMiller/Nikon
RESULTS:
OPEN MEN
1st: Russell Molony (Central Coast, NSW)
2nd: Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW)
3rd: Joe Sear (Cronulla, NSW)
4th: Darren O’Rafferty (Bonny Hills, NSW)
OPEN WOMEN
1st: Phiippa Anderson (Merewether, NSW)
2nd: Mikaela Greene (Yallingup, WA)
3rd: Georgia Fish (Flinders, VIC)
4th: Codie Klein (Kingscliff, NSW)
OVER 35 MEN
1st: Jake Spooner (Bulli, NSW)
2nd: Kyle Robinson (Robina, QLD)
3rd; Glenn Pringle (Cronulla, NSW)
4th: Scott Schindler (Sawtell, NSW)
OVER 35 WOMEN
1st: Sandra English (Budgewoi, NSW)
2nd: Cheryl Peat (SA)
3rd: Dimitra Massaros (Geraldton, WA)
OVER 40 MEN
1st: Glen Pringle (Cronulla, NSW)
2nd: Scott Schindler (Sawtell, NSW)
3rd: Ian Spencer (Miranda, NSW)
4th: John Shmooka (Cronulla, NSW)
OVER 45 MEN
1st: Terry Lansberg (Currimundi, QLD)
2nd: John Schmidenberg (Corindi Beach, NSW)
3rd: Glen Valaire (Swansea, NSW)
4th: Charlie O’Sullivan (Woolgoolga, NSW)
OVER 50 MEN
1st: Charlie O’Sullivan (Woolgoolga, NSW)
2nd: Rod Baldwin (Copacabana, NSW)
3rd: Terry Day (Bondi, NSW)
4th: Rowan Sawtell (VIC)
OVER 55 MEN
1st: Mark Phelan (Terrigal, NSW)
2nd: Grayme Galbraith (VIC)
3rd: Glenn Sharrock (Caves Beach, NSW)
4th: Leon Norris (Geraldton, WA)
SINGLE FIN
1st: Ian Bell (Port Macquarie, NSW)
2nd: Ryan Wordsworth (WA)
3rd: Francis Meade (VIC)
4th: Wayne Hudson (Port Macquarie, NSW)
ALAIA
1st: Barney Quinlan (Bondi, NSW)
2nd: Matty Cook (Cronulla, NSW)
3rd: Freddy Gilliate (NSW)
4th: Ian Bell (Port Macquarie, NSW)
Special note: This blog is brought to you thanks to the good people at Flynns Beach Resort, Port Macquarie. If you love comfortable resort style living and having the beach at your finger tip’s then Flynns is for you… With two pools and lush tropical gardens it’s a paradise found. www.flynnsbeachresort.com.au
