Newcastle Bodysurfing Experience
BODYSURFING AUSTRALIA Inc. presents the
2006 NEWCASTLE BODYSURFING CHALLENGE.
SUNDAY 13th August 2006
2 - 3' clean shorebreak - at Newcastle Beach
contest photos here
RESULTS AND WRAP.
BODYSURFING AUSTRALIA Inc. made it's way to Newcastle once again on Sunday the 13th of August for The 2nd Annual 2006 NEWCASTLE ODYSURFING CHALLENGE that saw 46 of Australia's best Bodysurfers take to the beautiful 18.5C winter waters to compete for the coveted perpetual trophy.Organisers were pleased the predicted conditions of tiny swell were incorrect and held up overnight to present yet another perfect day.
The sun shone all day on a consistent 2-3' foot swell from the south with light offshore to no wind with 'double-up' sets and open tubes to show their skills on predominant lefts at the north end of the beach. Most of those at the beach were dressed in summer kit and several sunbathers were spotted amongst the supporters.
Many of last year's Newcastle Bodysurfers and some competing for the first time lined up against Sydney Olympics Swimming Bronze Medalist, Justin Norris - who was defending his title from last year and former Iron Man Champion, Brett Tyack from Dee Why - winner of The Ray Gill Memorial, held at Avalon in late April and exponent of the "Tyroll" - a mid wave forward somersault. Brett had also been recovering from a lucky escape of electrocution at work and had only begun training recently.
Norris also produced a series of new maneuvers from last year's contest and his spinners with hands planted behind his head and elbows extended was named the "Hammerhead".
Newcastle's Grant Schofield made his way through the heats, quarters and semi-finals to gain a spot in the Open Final with his consistent fine wave selection and solid tube riding body positions. On his way to the final he won each round leaving several experienced bodysurfers in his wake - like David Walker from Munmorah, twice beating Brett Tyack in his quarter and semi-final, where both edged out hot favourite Peter Sperling from Coogee.
Stand outs for the day were the Junior heats where most young locals were competing for the 1st time and showed with their skills of wave riding,
fitness and an intimate knowledge of the tricky conditions - where a fast running rip to the north emptied in a 'dog's leg' fashion, making the bodysurfers positioning a constant struggle.
The Pilgram twins, Beau and Joel ripped the shorebreak with controlled spinners, Laurie Tieney found the bigger set waves and Leighton Mayers didn't hold back in his attempts at an almost impossible new maneuver named the "Reverse Tyroll" - where he takes off on his back and completed a backward somersault landing feet first laying flat! When he masters this as a completed maneuver the judges will have problems working out how to score it.
Jemma Burtonwood once again took the Women's Title from Cathy Walker, wife of David and Bodysurfing Superstar and Grandmother, Sybil Walsh, from Cromer on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
The Schwager brothers trio of Kevin, Chris and Anthony proved they will be forces in future contests with Kevin taking out the Handboard division and Anthony progressing through to the Opens semis.
When the Final of the Opens went in it was Justin Norris, Bodysurfing Australia Inc President, Don McCredie, Grant Schofield and Brett Tyack left to fight out for the trophy.
McCredie was presented with a cranking lefthander moments after the hooter, catching all by surprise as a gift wave in a final where all 4 bodysurfers sat in a tight formation giving nothing up in positions with the rip running harder as the tide ran out fast.
After 3 minutes, to the awe of the crowd - Justin Norris and Brett Tyack - who was on the inside of Norris both stroked hard for the same wave and took off simultaneously which left the judges no option but to penalise Tyack with an interference almost surely dashing his title hopes.
The field spread slowly as the waves held off for a mid-heat lull where Grant Schofield chose to venture further south, Tyack was still reeling from his gaff and left Norris and McCredie to stay firm catching wave for wave on the northern lefts.
Opens: 1st Don McCredie, Avalon. 2nd Justin Norris, Newcastle. 3rd Brett
Tyack, Dee Why
Masters: 1st Graeme Eagleton,Wagstaff. 2nd Greg Mayers, Newcastle. 3rd Sandy
Sharp, Bronte
Womens: 1st Jemma Burtonwood,Newcastle. 2nd Cathy Walker,Munmorah. 3rd Sybil
Walsh, Cromer
Juniors: 1st Beau Pilgram, Newcastle. Laurie Tieney, Newcastle. 3rd Joel
Pilgram, Newcastle
Handboard: 1st Kevin Schwager, Newcastle. 2nd Anima,Wollongong. 3rd John
Parker, Newcastle
Images and video soon available in our video section.
Big thanks to our judges and support staff and volunteers.
And many thanks to Newcastle SLSC who provided exceptional hospitality and
food.
A huge thanks you to our sponsors for this event whom without them we could
not have had such a great day.
SOLID BODYBOARD
SO WICKED BOOKSHOP
AQUVIEW CAFE
HUNTER VALLEY CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE
DUNES, POD, HYDRO, ENDURA ENERGY BARS
dmc congratulates handboard finalists
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