BOOMERANG BEACH, GREAT LAKES (Thursday, 15 June 2017): The 2017 HIF NSW Surfmasters Titles Presented by Moby’s Beachside Retreat saw its first round of champions crowned today with the Over-55, Over-60, Over-35 Women and Single Fin divisions contesting finals in picturesque four-foot waves.
Amee Donohoe (Macmasters Beach) showed why she was a former World Championship Tour competitor fighting a tight battle with perennial local threat Melissa Bartz (Blueys Beach). Donohoe managed to gain the upper hand in the second heat, notching up an impressive 15.03 heat total (out of a possible 20 points) to take top honours ahead of Bartz and Samantha Oakes (Carlton) who claimed second and third respectively.
Thanks to a solid display of traditional turns, Carl Musker (Collaroy Plateau) managed to claim the Single Fin division. Musker blew up in the throaty conditions, drawing out his turns to get the nod ahead of Michael Crisp (Ballina), Rob Hazelwood (Ballina) and Jamie Doran (Anna Bay) who claimed the remaining three spots.
Neil Cameron (Byron Bay) managed to add another title to his mantelpiece, claiming the Over-60 Men’s division. The former NSW and Australian Champion, effortlessly linked together a chain of turns to post a heat total of 13.5 to take the top spot on the dais and earn a spot into the NSW team for the upcoming Australian Surf Festival.
Rod Baldwin (Copacabana) blew away his opposition to take out the Over-55 Men’s final. The multiple Australian Title holder put his opposition into a combination situation after posting a near perfect 9.77 wave score. Runner-up Dean Shaw (Fingal Bay) put up a valiant effort, clawing his way out of the combination situation, posting a solid 8.33 but ultimately had to settle for second place.
2017 is the sixth year running the HIF NSW Surfmasters Titles Presented by Mobys Beachside Retreat has been held in the Great Lakes region.
Competition will commence each day at 7:30am with the call for the days schedule and location confirmed via the event hotline at 6:45am. The event hotline is 0458 247 212.
Divisions for the event include: Over 35 Men, Over 35 Women, Over 40 Men, Over 45 Men, Over 50 Men, Over 55 Men, Over 60 Men and Open Single Fin.
Mobys Beachside Retreat will host a free dinner for competitors on Friday, 16th June as well as the Sunday afternoon presentations.
Mobys Beachside Retreat will also be the official event venue for accommodation. Deals and packages are available for competitors. Check out mobys.com.au
The HIF NSW Surfmasters Titles Presented by Mobys Beachside Retreat is proudly supported by HIF, Mid Coast Council, Great Lakes Tourism, Mob’s Beachside Retreat, Toyota, Mothernest, Australian Skin Cancer Clinics, NBN, and Surfing NSW.
RESULTS: Over-60 Men
1 – Neil Cameron (Byron Bay)
2 – Glenn Sharrock (Caves Beach)
3 – Mark Phelan (Terrigal)
4 – Bruce Flint (Kiama)
Over-55 Men
1 – Rod Baldwin (Copacabana)
2 – Dean Shaw (Fingal Bay)
3 – Charlie O’Sullivan (Woolgoolga)
4 – Murray Brown (East Corrimal)
Single Fin
1 – Carl Musker (Collaroy Plateau)
2 – Michael Crisp (Ballina)
3 – Rob Hazelwood (Narrabeen)
4 – Jamie Doran (Anna Bay)
Over-35 Women
1 – Amee Donohoe (Macmasters Beach)
2 – Mellisa Bartz (Blueys Beach)
3 – Samantha Oakes (Carlton)
ABOUT HIF: HIF is a not-for-profit, all-about-choice health fund, providing a better choice of more affordable health insurance options and the freedom to choose the health care providers you want. See HIF’s range of great-value Extras and Hospital cover options at hif.com.au and use the handy online product selector to choose the ideal cover for your budget and lifestyle.
Editorial & Photo Credit: Ethan Smith – Surfing NSW
