Teams challenge winners, Queensland : photo Surfing NSW

(Notícia retirada na integra do Surfersvillage.com)

Country Energy Australian Surf Festival
Surfing New South WalesPort Macquarie New South Wales16 - 29 August 2009
Australian Longboard Titles prepares glory
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 August, 2009 : - - Port Macquarie, NSW -- One day, 18 heats and 12 National Titles are all that remain for the Australian Longboard Titles. Having witnessed another amazing day of conditions, waves and performances at Bonny Hills, tomorrow will see the best of the best competing for glory.
The performance of the day went to Queensland who dethroned NSW as the ‘Teams Champion’ for 2009. Seeing epic performances from the likes of Clint Guest (Burleigh Waters, QLD), Mitch Surman (Buderim, QLD) and Damien Coulter (Moutain Creek, QLD), Queensland were over the moon with the result.
Local legend Peter Hudson (Lake Cathie, NSW) led the way in Over 55’s racking up an impressive heat score of 14.50 (out of a possible 20). Qualifying for another National Title, Hudson is looking forward to prospect of winning another title on his home turf. “I’ve won three shortboard titles and two longboard,” he said having dominated the shifting peaks of Rainbow Beach.
“But, in saying that I’d really love to win another longboard title to even it up – especially in Port Macquarie,” he admitted. Using local knowledge to the nth degree, Hudson showed all competitors how it was done. “The rights were the best today,” Hudson said, giving away his local knowledge. “I was lucky to have got the best on offer.”
Joining Hudson in the Over 55 final will be another local boy, Gary Taylor (Bonny Hills, NSW) who continued his excellent form today. Also competing tomorrow in the final day of proceedings will be local shaper and fellow Bonny Hills resident Brad McCarthy who will be a part of the Over 40 final.
Representing Western Australia with pride and passion was Tony Harrison (Albany, WA) who qualified through to another final at the Australian Longboard Titles. Enjoying the competition as much as the local surrounds, Harrison was over the moon with his performance. “It’s been a great week of weather and competition,” he admitted.
Having made the final of last year’s Over 55 division, Harrison is looking to go one better this year. “I was in the exact same position last year,” Harrison reminisced. “I happy to have made it to the final day of competition, I just hope we get some great waves.” Scott Downing (Wonoona, NSW) was another ecstatic competitor after reaching the final of the Over 40’s.
Having finished second, third and fourth in previous Australian Longboard Titles, Downing is desperately chasing the elusive, debut National Title. “It’s going to be a big ask, but I’m really looking forward to it tomorrow!”
With the amazing, eclectic and heady Glassy Walls exhibition taking place in the state of the art Glasshouse, artist Garry Birdsall and photographer Bob Weeks rewind the clock back to the soul of Australian surfing – the sixties. Joining Birdsall and Weeks upon the walls of the Glasshouse will also be the spectacular and diverse works of Shane Martin, Robyn Convoy, Adrian Turner, Deb Tinker, Bill Kercher, Chris Buller and Mark Ingleby.
The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival will take place from August 15 – 29 2009 at Port Macquarie. For more information on The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival visit australiansurffestival.com.au The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival is presented by Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW and is proudly supported by Country Energy, Events NSW, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Mercure Centro Hotel, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Port Macquarie Tourism, Tourism NSW, Australian Sports Commission , Ocean & Earth, Coastalwatch, Sydney Weekender, Port Macquarie News, NBN TV, Star FM, Macquarie Hotel, The Town Green Inn, Australia’s Surfing Life Magazine and Australian Longboarding Magazine.
About Country Energy: Country Energy manages Australia’s largest power supply network across 95 per cent of New South Wales’ land mass and offers retail electricity in six states and territories. As a leading Australian energy services corporation, owned by the New South Wales Government, Country Energy employs around 4,200 people in regional and rural areas, serving more than 800,000 customers.