Sunova State Longboard Series 2009. - Yallingup locals show the way at their home break

Near perfect conditions prevailed for the first round of the Sunova State Longboard Series held in Yallingup over the weekend7-9 March.. Known as the ‘place of love’ in the local aboriginal language, Yallingup lived up to its name spreading the love amongst the WA longboarding community. Clean one to two meter waves (3-4 feet) had competitors in all thirteen divisions more than eager to get amongst it in the opening round of competition for 2009. With the appeal of national titles in New South Wales later this year no one was holding back.

Although moderate to fresh offshore winds made the going tough in the earlier heats, a new ground swell pulsed over the weekend and allowed competitors to set the pace in the preliminary round of the series. Yallingup’s famous A-frame peak saw both left and right hand waves peeling through, and the level of competition was fierce as everyone who threw on a colored rash vest knew they were vying for a chance to draw first blood of the 2009 series.

The Open Men’s division saw some new and old faces emerge as the favorites. Fast, fluid and powerful maneuvers saw Rahn Goddard (City Beach), Brett Mason (Yallingup), Pat McCarthy (Denmark), Kevin Anderson (North Fremantle) and Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park) all make early impressions, and ultimately make it through to the semi-final round. Rahn Goddard, the 2008 Open Men’s State Champion was keen to get some wax between the toes before he shoots over the Noosa to compete in the Noosa Festival and the Malfunction events.

“Its always great coming down to Yallingup especially when there’s some waves. It’s going to be a lot different on the East Coast though.”

In the final of the blue ribbon division it was local surfer Brett Mason that stepped up to Goddards’s challenge, locking in an impressive 8.50 and a back up 7.00 rides. Mason, who surfed well throughout the weekend, took his first State Longboard Series win after a few years away from the sport. There was very little separating first, second and third, with Rhan Goddard finishing ahead of a determined Kevin Anderson and Jarrah Calder in fourth.

“Thanks to everyone that competed, the organisers, this has been a great weekend and Im stoked to be back in the mix”, said and elated Mason who will look to continue his success at the second round of the series in Avalon in May.

The Open Women’s division presented a changing of the guard, with some younger ladies taking on the well established names of WA longboarding. Arlene Nagtzaam from Yallingup and Melville’s Claire Finucane battled for the lead during the 25 minute final in a seesawing affair. Another Yallingup local, Jade Foster proved her worth keeping the pressure on both Finucane and Nagtzaam picking off some quality right hander’s. Michaela Ross (Denmark) showed she was one to keep an eye putting in an impressive display against some older competition. In the end it was a determined Finucance who came out on top, ahead of Nagtzaam in second, Foster in third, Ross in fourth and Grace Clifford (Cottesloe) in fifth.

“Its so encouraging to see some young groms coming through and keeping us on our toes, it wont be long until they’re beating us older girls with ease.” Finucane said after taking out the win.

Dunsborough’s Trent Merrifield was another local to relish in his home break, during the under 21 Pro Junior final. The largely built and powerful natural footer could do no wrong and continually slipped into the better waves that were on offer. This left his fellow finalists Dan Refeld (Hillarys), and Elliot Fisher (Wembly Downs) scratching for anything that came through. Merrifield and Refeld are expected to share a heated rivalry for a few years to come with less than one point separating the two after the final siren.

The Over 35 Men’s final saw Jason Weeks (Scarborough) taking the win ahead of Billy Hagan (Doubleview) Peter Campbell (Denmark) and Luke Sutherland (Yallingup). Weeks, had a fantastic 2008 taking out the state title in this division as well as qualifying for the finals at the 2008 national titles in Port Macquarie. Arlene Nagtzaam (Yallingup) turned the tables on Claire Finucane (Melville) to win the Over 35 Womens.

Kevin Anderson (North Fremantle) secured the winners trophy in the Over 40 Men’s final. Anderson complied some of the weekend’s best wave scores and scored an 8.50 ride during this final. An impressive duel between Brett Merrifield (Dunsborough) saw him assert his dominance in the Over 45 Men’s final to win from Ray Barker (Margaret River).

The most closely contested finals of the weekend were without a doubt the older divisions, where the Over 50’s, Over 55’s and Over 60’s Men. All three divisons seemed to take a trip back to their earlier surfing days and caught more waves than some of the junior finals.

In the Over 50’s final it was Bill Gibson (Margaret River) who tore the Yalls right hander to pieces with some polished surfing. Gary McCormick (Mullaloo) surfed well all weekend to secure second ahead of Kim Burton (Busselton) and David Burton (Hillarys) fourth.

In the Over 55’s Men’s final Bob Monkman (Yallingup) held onto victory against a very in form Gerry Bejarano (Trigg). In the closest final of the weekend, less that two points separated first to fourth. Bruce Montgomery (Geraldton) finished in third ahead of Chris Collings (Scarborough) fourth.

The Over 60’s final Mick Marlin (Dunsborough) dominated on his beloved Yallingup lefts, leaving close friend Tony Harrison (Albany) in second ahead of Dave Robertson (Shelly) in third, Colin Small (Melville) fourth and an injured Dave Ellis (Bussleton) in fifth.

This event also marked the first time Surfing WA incorporated a Stand Up Paddle divison (SUP) and was received with great enthusiasm. Bob Monkman showed his love for the new and emerging sport with a dominate win.

After a hugely successful series start, all eyes are now turned towards round two of the series to be held at Avalon Point in May.

Proudly supported by: Sunova Surfboards, Yalliungup Beach Holiday Park, SunSmart and Surfing WA.

FINAL RESULTS
Open Men:
1. Brett Mason (Yallingup), 2. Rahn Goddard (City Beach), 3. Kevin Anderson (North Fremantle), 4. Jarrah Calder (Mosman Park).

Open Women:
1. Claire Finucane (Melville), 2. Arlene Nagtzaam (Yallingup), 3. Jade Foster (Yallingup), 4. Michaela Ross (Denmark), 5. Grace Clifford (Cottesloe).

Stand Up Paddle Board:
1. Bob Monkman (Yallingup), 2. Brett Mason (Yallingup), 3. Rahn Goddard (City Beach), 4. Peter Dunn (Cottelsoe), 5. Ian Morris (Yallingup).

Pro Junior:
1. Trent Merifield (Dunsborough), 2. Trent Merrifield (Hillarys), 3. Elliot Fisher (Wembly Downs).

Under 18 Girls:
1. Rachel Dawe (Lancelin), 2. Michaela Ross (Denmark), 3. Emi Campbell (Denmark)

Under 18 Boys:
1. Travis Richards-Bullbeck (Dunsborough), 2. Mark Matisons (Cottesloe), 3. Luke Burton (Hillarys), 4. Mitch Corbett (City Beach).

Over 35 Men:
1. Jason Weeks (Scarborough), 2. Billy Hagan (Doubleview), 3. Peter Campbell (Denmark), 4. Luke Sutherland (Yallingup).

Over 35 Women:
1. Arlene Nagtzaam (Yallingup), 2. Claire Finucane (Melville).

Over 40 Men:
1. Kevin Anderson (North Fremantle), 2. Brett Reed (Atwell), 3. Michael Nolan (Bateman).

Over 45 Men:
1. Brett Merrifield (Dunsborough), 2. Ray Barker (Margaret River), 3. Rob Shaw (Cottelsoe), 4. Rod Lyons (Cottelsoe).

Over 50 Men:
1. Bill Gibson (Margaret River), 2. Gary McCormick (Mullaloo), 3. Kim Davis (Bussleton), 4. David Burton (Hillarys).

Over 55 Men:
1. Bob Monkman (Yallingup), 2. Gerry Bejarano (Trigg), 3. Bruce Montgomery (Geraldton), 4. Chris Collings (Scarborough).

Over 60 Men:
1. Mick Marlin (Dunsborough), 2. Tony Harrison (Albany), 3. Dave Robertson (Shelly), 4. Colin Small (Melville), 5. Dave Ellis (Busselton).