Sunshine Coast Surfers Sizzle in Day 1 of the 2007 Na Papa Queensland State Longboard Titles

New school longboarders from the Sunshine Coast dominated the opening rounds of the 2007 Na Papa Queensland State Longboard titles held at Coolum Beach in fun ankle-high beach break more suited to longboards than short boards.

Sunshine Coast winners in the open men’s included 18 year old Bowie Pollard (Glenview), 17 year old Mitch Surman (Buderim) and 18 year old Ben Fesselet (Mudjimba).

Representing the new young guard of longboard surfing Pollard won the first heat of the day upstaging the more experienced Brett White of Noosa .

“It was fantastic to get a good start,” said Pollard a Na Papa team rider who was trying out some brand new boards but accidentally dropped his new board on the rocks after his heat but luckily it withstood any damage. ”It shows how hard these boards are, luckily I didn’t get a scratch..”

Despite the absence of high profile longboarders competing at the World Professional Longboard titles in France, the new young hot rookies were out too prove a point today. “The big boys are going down and the young guns are stepping up,” said Pollard who is inspired by 17 year old Harrison Roach (Maroochydore) who took down  2006 World Longboard Champion Josh Constable of Noosa at the World Titles being held in France.

Winning his open heat  Ben Fesselet said, “ It’s good to get a head start, finding waves was hard but I got lucky. I would prefer bigger waves and if it comes up, I’ll be frothing!” Gold Coast pair Matt Aldridge and Mark MacNamara managed to hold off the Sunshine Coast charge with a first and second to qualify into round two of the Open Men’s.  Mark “Macca” MacNamara scored the best wave of the day with a 9 point ride and backed that up with an 8 pointer to get the best two combination 17 points out of 20 in the opening rounds of the Over 40’s.  Coastal Watch have sponsored a $500 prize for the best wave of the event.

Sunshine Coast women surfers also shone in their opening rounds with National Over 35 women’s champion Sharon Jackson holding off her younger rivals like Rainbow Bay’s Selby Riddle both progressing into round two of the open women’s.

Jackson who was competing while holding down family duties like making sure her two boys got to basketball was full of praise for her younger rivals,”. Selby and Tegan Riddle (Rainbow Bay) are both ones to watch, Rosie Locke (Noosa) is a fierce competitor and Monique Keane (Moffat Beach) is a contender. I’ve been working on my small wave surfing and it really paid off today, you just have to make the most of it and I’ll just stick to my game.” During the late seventies Sharon nee Holland Jackson was a shortboard champion and 5 times runner up in the National Women Shortboards placing second to former World Champion Pam Burridege

Other heat winners include: under 18 boys, Nick Jones and Mitch Surman; over 35 men’s Damian Coulter and David Johnston.

The 2007 NaPapa ( Hawaiian translation is boards that surf and work) State Longboard titles is a three day event hosted by Surfing Queensland and is mobile from Alexandra Headland to Coolum. Monday will be finals day with 11 categories from Under 18’s thru to Over 60 years. The Queensland team for the Australian Longboard titles to be held at Port Macquarie in October will be selected from the Na Papa State Titles. Organisers are counting on a new easterly swell to increase for Monday’s finals. Tomorrows (Sunday) competition will begin from 8am with round two of the open men’s more than likely at Coolum Beach depending on the swell.

To check on the daily contest venue, call the Contest Hotline number 07 30306388 after 6.30am. For more info contact Andrew McKinnon on 0424745363

For the full draw and results please check www.surfingqueensland.com.au.