Harley Ingleby and Ray Gleave stand out surfers of the day

Near perfect surfing conditions for day 1 of the 2008 Hyundai Malfunction Surfing Festival being held at South Beach, Kingscliff for the very first time in the 25 year history of the event. 

A 1 metre plus south east swell on a predominant right hand point break greeted competitors in the Golden Breed Open Retro (pre 1981 shortboard) and Old Mal (pre 1967 longboard) categories. 

Kingscliff longboard legend, Ray Gleave, 49, who has not competed in the Malfunction for the past three years, was back to his best at his home break. Scoring 17.5 out of 20 points in his opening round heat of the Golden Breen Old Mal.  “I prefer surfing in uncrowded waves, nothing against Rainbow Bay, but it is a real joy to surf at my home break where I learned to surf 40 years ago”, said the former number 2 in the World and a former National and Malfunction Champion.  “I am feeling fit enough, have a few beers, but try not to abuse myself, I watched the binge drinking special on TV and it has really turned me off”, said the Godfather of longboard style who has qualified for the semi’s of the Golden Breed Old Mal on Saturday.  Ray’s son Cameron competed in the Golden Breed Open Retro’s successfully qualifying for the finals on Sunday after finishing second behind Kyle Nielsen, the secretary of the Burleigh Longboard Club. 

Despite being concussed free surfing at Kingscliff yesterday, 24 year old Harley Ingleby of Emerald Beach Coffs Harbour was back in action in the Golden Breed Open Retro’s, an event he won in 2006.  “I still have a massive headache after cracking my head yesterday from a floater that went wrong”, said Ingleby who went on to win his semi final on an Hawaiian Larry Bertlemann twin fin and registering a high score of 17 out of 20 featuring a single high score of 8.67 and qualifying for Sunday’s Golden Breed Open Retro’s Final.  As well as Mermaid Beach Gold Coast City Life Guard, Tai Graham who finished second in semi final 1, Cabarita's Ben Johnson and Currumbin's Jackson close were eliminated the heat of the day.

However the highest scoring surfer today in the Golden Breed Open Retro was Jared Neal., Sapphire Beach Coffs Harbour top scoring with a 9.67 in his quarter final unfortunately he bowed out in the semi finals but will be a contender in the Surf Tech Open Professionals on Friday.

Semi Final Results of the Golden Breed Retro's: 

Semi 1:  Harley Ingleby (1st), Tai Graham (2nd), Ben Johnson (3), Jackson Close (4)

Semi 2:  Kyle Nielsen (1), Cameron Gleave (2), Isaac Fields (3), Jared Neal (4)

Golden Breed Retro Finalists to be surfed on Sunday:  Harley Ingleby, Tai Graham, Kyle Nielsen, Cameron Gleave.

Other impressive performances today in the Golden Breed Old Mal included Queensland’s Grant Davies with 17.83 out of 20 and the second single highest score of the day a 9.5.

Also impressing the judges was Californian Longboard Legend, famous from the Endless Summer 2 movie, Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, placing second to Grant Davies, and qualifying for the Golden Breed Old Mal Semi’s on Saturday, 26^th April,

Golden Breed Old Mal Semi Finalists:

Semi 1: Ray Gleave, Robbie McLucas, Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, Justin Healy, Tony Abood, Dion Harris

Semi 2: Grant Davies, Isaac Fields, Nick Jorgensen, keenan Roxburgh, Beau Nixon, Peter Stickland

Tomorrow morning the competition will kick off at 8am with a whole new category the popular Honolua Stand Up Paddle Board followed by the 9ft Amateurs, ANZ Kingscliff Over 40’s, Dukes Longboards Over 50’s, and Robert August Longboards Over 60’s.

On site Media Contact:  Andrew McKinnon

Mobile:  0412754974

For results and more information check out www.malfunction.com.au

Photo supplied by www.snapperrocks.com.au