MALS OUT AT NOOSA
Noosa, Sunshine Coast Queensland — Clean 0.5 – 1 meter waves on offer at First Point, Noosa heralded the official start to this year’s Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing today, that saw the first round of exciting action underway in the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions.
Former Noosa resident of five years Clinton Guest (Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast) caused the biggest upset of the morning, posting the highest heat score of round 1 a 15.50 (out of 20.00) to defeat defending event champion Justin Healey (QLD) during the Classic Malibu Men’s Open.
The polished young surfer and fourth seed for this division, posted two of the best individual wave scores of the round, a 7.25 and an 8.25 (out of ten) snatching the win off the last wave of the heat to advance in first place.
“I saw Healey’s re-entry at the start of the heat and I knew he’d be tough to beat,” said Guest. “To defeat the defending champ in the first round is definitely a confidence booster and I’ll take it with me into my next heat.”
Josh Berigan was another Queenslander to make his presence felt this morning, the youngster netting a 15.00 heat total in a nail-biting clash that saw him defeat top wave scorer Adam Barley, of South Australia. Despite a single excellent 8.00 ride from Barley it was not enough to top Berigan’s 7.75 and a 7.25 combination.
Top seed Jordie Brown (Vic) made sure he remained among the morning’s front-runners, selecting his waves wisely to complete a near perfect 8.00 ride earning a first place finish over Patrick O’Leary (QLD) who came in a close second.
Second seed Ed Cunningham (QLD) was as impressive to watch, the exceptionally talented multiple junior Australian titleholder defeating Lee Cooper (QLD) and Marc McNamara (QLD). Unfortunately Ed’s twin brother George wasn’t as lucky being defeated in third place by advancing surfers Deans Krestensen (NSW) and Phil Morris (NZ) in an earlier heat.
Other standouts today included local surfer Malakai Mitchell (Noosa) who maintained his heat lead despite some polished noseriding from second place surfer Josh Gandulla (USA); Josh Tulk who captured a last minute victory over Jason Murray (QLD) and Adam Lynch (VIC) who advanced ahead of Menard Valentin (QLD).
The Zinc 91 Open Women’s division saw a clean sweep from top seeds Monique Keane (QLD), Sharon Jackson (QLD), Jen Wilson (NSW) and Samantha Walker (NSW) all of whom captured first place finishes in their respective round 1 heats, advancing into the Semifinals before lunch time today.
Keane (Caloundra, Sunshine Coast) the top seed for this event, by far outshone her competition, her exceptional style and control earning her 7.25 and 7.75 scores for the highest heat total of the women’s event, a 15.00.
Fourth seed Samantha Walker (Freshwater, NSW) proved virtually untouchable in her round 1 clash, ousting her competition with an 11.00 heat total (out of 20.00) to second place surfer Roison Carolan’s (NSW) 6.15 and third place Ashley Beer’s (NSW) 5.90.
Jen Wilson (NSW) and Sharon Jackson (QLD) earned first place finishes ahead of Sasha Leitmanis (Vic) and Kathryn Hughes (QLD) respectively. The remainder of the day’s action saw round 1 of the Old Guys Rule Over 60’s, Smyth Over 55’s and two heats of round 1 of the Mandill Motor Group over 50’s.
The Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing, presented by Golden Breed, boasts the most diverse program of surf competitions under the one banner anywhere in the world. From Pro’s to paddlers to grandpas and groms the event draws the best longboarders and watermen in the world.
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