Open champ Rhys Bombaci lets the dog out.

With the wind turning North East on a protected Bombo Beach, conditions looked perfect for the final divisions to be crowned on day four, of the VB NSW Open Surfmasters Titles 2011.

Knowing the enormity of the day’s results, competitors were looking at taking home one of the most prestigious trophy’s in NSW surfing folklore; not to mention qualification into the Australian Surf Festival to be held in August this year.

The quality line up for the Open Men’s final included current WQS surfer Rhys Bombaci from Kiama, along with highly rated Australian surfer Sam Lendrum, Cronulla’s Rory Jenkins and Pro Junior surfer Shane Holmes.

With Catherine Hills Bay’s Sam Lendrum going into the final undefeated, taking home the VB slab of the event after a combined wave score of 17.17 (9 and 8.17), and 17 year old Rory Jenkins nocked out highly acclaimed Dean Bowen (Gerroa) in the Semi Final, the atmosphere was tense.

Bombaci opened up with a 7.33 and Holmes responded with a series of waves worthy of the crown. Jenkins and Lendrum persisted answering wave after wave but it was Bombaci’s precise wave selection that solidified the win, and gave him the title.

Rory Jenkins squeezes in a tight little jam.

With two state crowns under her belt, current NSW Open Women’s champion Brittany Nicholl created history today as she won her third NSW Open Women’s Surfmasters Title.

Local South Coast surfers Rachel Campbell and Sky Burgess, along with current ASP Junior Women’s world ranked no.18 surfer Phillipa Anderson (Merewether), gave Nicholl a run for her money.

Campbell placed second by a mere 0.23 of a point followed by Burgess and Anderson who placed 3rd and 4th respectively.

The newest division to be added to the VB NSW Open Surfmasters Titles, was the Open Single Fin. Celebrating the style and fun of the 1970’s with modern competition surfing, a champion was crowned and will represent NSW at the Australian Surf Festival.

Sydney’s Northern Beaches surfer Rob Hazlewood came out on top, with a combined heat total of 13.50 in the Single Fin Final. Followed closely by Matt Hurworth (Cabarita Beach), Ian Bell (North Haven) and Cronulla’s Matt Cook, who finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

In the Over 35 Women’s division it was Cronulla surfer Akemi Oleary who’s consistent competition surfing won her the NSW crown, closely followed by Kim Woolridge, Jonelle Byrne (Cabarita) and Yvonne Lamont from Mt Elliot.

Earlier in the weekend…

The Over 35 Men’s final was a scintillating show of action packed surfing.

South Coast surfer Brendan Russell, Bulli favorite Jake Spooner, Paul Moffat (Maroubra) and Jay Sharp (Long Jetty), fought hammer and tong in a final that had spectators and officials on the edge of their seats.

Paul Moffat flashes his fins to the horizon.

Spooner lead the way from the hooter, exchanging waves with Sharp and Russell but it was Moffatt who fired up in his response and the two were neck and neck with Spooner out in the lead looking a sure winner.

With 2 minutes to go Moffatt needed something big to take the win from Spooner, and patience paid off as he took the best wave of the final and the competition so far, a perfect 10 point ride gave Moffat the crown

“We all thought Jake (Spooner) had won, so I sat further out and waited for a set to come”.

Jake Spooner floats his boat.

“I knew it was my time when a set came through and I gave it all I had, it’s the first perfect 10 of my career and the first time I’ve won a state title since I was 18”, said a very excited Moffatt.

Moffatt has been out of competition recently giving more time to his High Performance Coaching career, but is looking forward to going to the Australian Titles as NSW Over 35 Men’s Champion.

“I’ve had time off for family and work, but decided to train with Energise Health Management for the last 3 months and it’s paid off”, said Moffatt.

“The Surfmasters Titles is such a great event and everyone is friends out in the water, it makes a really good atmosphere to compete in”.

Accruing a combined heat total of 16.17 (out of a possible 20), Moffatt placed 1st over Jake Spooner (Bulli), Jay Sharp (Long Jetty) and Brendan Russell (South Coast), who placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

With tight battles playing throughout all the division finals, Team NSW looks to be a strong contender for the Australian Surf Festival held in August.

The VB NSW Open Surfmasters Titles is proudly supported by VB, Kiama Municipal Council, Kiama Tourism, Kiama Coast Tourist Parks, Gerringong Bowling Club, Suncorp and Surfing NSW

NOTE: Other state results coming soon.