Dreams were realised and champions crowned today at Port Macquarie as the best surfers in the country put it all on the line on the final day of the Na Papa Australian Surfmasters Titles.
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Taking out the Over 28 Men’s division of the Na Papa Australian Surfmasters Titles today at Port Macquarie was event standout, and former ASP World Tour athlete, Toby Martin (Dee Why, NSW)
With the two week Country Energy Australian Surf Festival culminating today at Town Beach, in excellent one-metre conditions, the action that transpired was of the highest order.
In the blue ribbon event, the Open Men’s, it was Dane Atcheson (Copacabana, NSW) who snatched victory from 2007 Na Papa Australian champion Matt Bemrose (Curl Curl, NSW) in the dying seconds.“I don’t know what to say,” Atcheson said after defeating Bemrose, Stephen Walsh (Lennox Head, NSW) and Trevor Tripcony (Sunshine Coast, QLD) in the all-star final.
“I’m speechless.”
Needing an excellent score to take the Na Papa Australian title back home to the Central Coast of NSW, Atcheson majestically attacked one of the biggest waves of the day, as it rose toward him with under a minute remaining.
The rest is history.
“I was just sitting out there hoping that a wave would come, I honestly thought it was over,” he added after getting a nine-point ride on his last wave, sealing the title.
Now Australia’s best amateur surfer, Atcheson is looking to take his success at Port Macquarie into the rest of the year.
“This is easily the best result of my career, it gives me the biggest confidence booster going into the rest of the Pro Junior events for the year.”
With possibly the most outstanding performance of the entire Country Energy Australian Surf Festival, Jenny Boggis (Lennox Head, NSW) took out two Na Papa Australian Titles today.
Winning the Open Women’s and Over 28’s divisions, Boggis was on-fire.
“It feels fantastic,” when asked about her success at the Na Papa Australian Surfmasters Titles.
“Conditions weren’t the best, but we had such a great week and I am so stoked right now.”
Finishing in front of Melissa Sherringham (Wamberal, NSW), Lara Reading (Wallabi Point, NSW) and Leah Wright (Geraldton, WA) in the Open Women’s final; and Michelle Richens (Rye, VIC), Ladine Smith (Killarney Vale, NSW) and Roslyn Franklin (Mermaid Beach, QLD) in the Over 28’s final.
“I planned to get a good start in both my heats and I was lucky enough to get a couple of good waves at the beginning of each.”
“I’ll be back for sure next year to defend both titles,” Boggis said.
“I can’t wait.”
Former ASP World Tour surfer Toby Martin (Dee Why, NSW) took out the Over 28 Men’s division, while Glenn Bitton (Yamba, NSW)) Brett Bannister (North Narrabeen, NSW), David Sparenburg (Ballina, NSW), Max Perrot (Lennox Head, NSW) and Brent Moss (Secret Harbour, WA) won Na Papa Australian titles in the Open Kneeboard, Over 35, 40, 45 and 50’s divisions respectively.
Sandra English (Budgewoi, NSW) etched her name into the record books today by claiming her ninth Na Papa Australian Title after winning the Over 35 Women’s final in style.
As the two-week Country Energy Australian Surf Festival closes the curtain on 2008, it will forever be remembered by awesome waves and a all-star cast upon the shores of the Hastings River.
Results – Na Papa Australian Surfmasters Titles
Open Men: Dane Atcheson (16.35 pts), Matt Bemrose (15.75 pts), Stephen Walsh (15.75 pts), Trevor Tripcony (9.35 pts)
Open Women: Jenny Boggis (17.50 pts), Melissa Sherringham (10.25 pts), Lara Reading (9.10 pts), Leah Wright (8.25 pts)
Over 28 Men: Toby Martin (18.55 pts), Gurt Du Preez (15.15 pts), Wayne Hudson (14.25 pts), Joel Spillane (8.95 pts)
Over 28 Women: Jenny Boggis (18.25 pts). Michelle Richens (14.50 pts), Ladine Smith (10.00 pts), Roslyn Franklin (6.05 pts)
Over 35 Men: Brett Bannister (16.00 pts), Jay Sharpe (14.90 pts), Wayne Morrison (11.60 pts), Scott Myers (7.35 pts)
Over 35 Women: Sandra English (14.25 pts), Kellie O’Brien (8.75 pts), Heather Peck (6.00 pts), Roslyn Franklin (4.75 pts)
Over 40 Men: David Sparenburg (11.65 pts), Vic Levett (10.75 pts), Rod Baldwin (10.05 pts), Matt Hucker (9.80 pts)
Over 45 Men: Max Perrot (19.50 pts), Rod Baldwin (13.50 pts), Brent Moss (12.00 pts), Vic Levett (11.00 pts)
Over 50 Men: Brent Moss (19.05 pts), Mark Phelan (16.35 pts), Peter Eales (13.20 pts), Gordon Barnes (11.40 pts)
Open Kneeboard: Glenn Bitton, Darren Cooper, Anthony Cridland, Peter Whitehouse, Shane Whitehouse
Be sure to log onto www.australiansurffestival.com for all information regarding the Na Papa Australian Surfmasters Titles and the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival.
The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival is proudly supported by Country Energy, Events NSW, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Greater Port Macquarie Tourism, Oxbow, Na Papa Surfboards, Town Green Inn, Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, NBN, 2MC FM, Star FM, Sydney Weekender, Australia’s Surfing Life Magazine, Australian Longboarding Magazine, Coastalwatch, Ocean and Earth, Saltwater Wine Surf Centres, The Little Brewing Company, the Mercure Centro Hotel, Rydges Hotel Port Macquarie, Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW.