Perth’s premiere surfing tournament, the Corsaire Aviation King of the Point presented by City of Stirling concluded yesterday in memorable fashion, with five new champions etching their names into the record books with standout performances in clean and consistent 3-4 feet waves at Trigg Point.
In arguably one of the best days of competition since the King of the Point was started way back in 1979, a west groundswell combined with sunny skies, and light and variable winds to provide a truly royal day of surfing, as some of WA’s best and most experienced surfers challenge for their place on top of the King of the Point throne
Geraldton’s Max Marsden and Mandurah’s April McPherson have booked their spots into next month’s Drug Aware Local Trials after claiming victory in the blue-ribbon King and Queen of the Point divisions respectively.
Marsden proved he is one of Western Australia’s best underground surfers, displaying mastery in all kinds of conditions and providing some the highest scores of the event on his way to his maiden King of the Point win.
Marsden dominated on finals day, defeating the reigning King of the Point and perennial title threat Luke Campbell (Trigg) in an exciting final. Marsden joins some of WA greatest surfers to have won the event including; Mike McAullife (Margaert River), Dave Macaulay (Gracetown), Jake Paterson (Yallingup) and Jacob Willcox (Margaret River).
Using his razor-sharp repertoire of forehand manoeuvres, Marsden posted a two-wave combined total of 18.50 (from a possible 20) which included a perfect 10 and a backup 8.50. Despite some excellent surfing of his own on route to and during the final, Campbell was left chasing a combination of scores to steal victory.
“I’m so stoked, this has to be the best waves I’ve ever seen in Perth and to take the win ahead of my good mate Luke is pretty cool,” said Marsden. “Thanks to all the Gero guys here to support me and I couldn’t be happier right now.”
April McPherson claimed her maiden Queen of the Point crown, with an inspired performance just 4 months after undergoing a major knee reconstruction. McPherson surfed out of her skin to take down a trio of amazing female surfers.
McPherson found the best waves on offer in the final and threw down a series of ligament stretching manoeuvres which saw her post a perfect 10 point ride to defeat 2019 Queen of the Point Emma Cattlin (Yallingup), former World Surf League Championship Tour (CT) competitor Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup) and up and coming Qualifying Series (QS) star Mia McCarthy (Margaret River).
“I’ve never won this event before so it’s a pretty remarkable and definitely on to remember,” said McPherson. “I’d like to thank Megan Cox my trainer for helping me with my rehab and recovery that has got me here, thanks to all the girls in the final as well.”
Local surfer Mick Jardine (North Beach) was a popular champion in the Over-40 Lord of the Point division, displaying his intimate knowledge of the Trigg Point lineup to take down Tommy Trigwell (Dunsborough), Luke Wyllie (North Fremantle) and Luke Hayter (Doubleview).
The win for Jardine, came off the strength of a near perfect 9.00 (from a possible 10), which he backed up with a 6.25 to finish on a two-wave total of 15.25 (from a possible 20).
“2014 was the last time I surfed in this event and to score such good waves is pretty rare,” said Jardine. “Each and every guy in that final rips so to finish on top and to see my family and friends on the beach cheering me on was amazing feeling.”
Jake Hagan (Geraldton) made it a double win for surfers from the Mid-West, taking out the Under-21 Prince of the Point division. Hagen picked off some bombs and linked together the series of smooth and clean forehand snaps to claim another major feather in his cap for 2021, after winning Taj’s Small Fries in Yallingup in January.
Hagan, caught just three waves during the final, finishing on 18.50 (from a possible 20) thanks to two excellent 9.25 rides.
“I’ve surfed plenty of events at Trigg over the years, but none as good as this one,” said Hagan. “All the boys were ripping this weekend and I’d like to congratulate Maxy for being King of the Point.”
Dunsborough’s Maverick Wilson continued his winning ways in 2021, with victory in the exciting Under-16 Jester of the Point division. Wilson slice and dice his way to victory taking down metro trio Jesse Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach), Jack Lacey (Duncriag) and Travis Barkhuizen (Eglington), finishing on a two wave total of 12.75.
“The waves have been firing today and it has been a great event,” said Wilson. “I’d like to thanks my family and sponsors for all their support.
With perfect beach weather on offer and under sunny skies, hundreds of people were on hand to soak up the festival atmosphere on offer. As well as the exciting surfing matchups in the water, there was amazing food and refreshing drinks on offer at Canteen and Island Market, the Vans skate & create zone had the kids frothing out, live DJ’s, a 360-degree VR (virtual reality) surf film experience, treasure hunts as well as surfboard and fins test areas
Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks was thrilled with the outcome and congratulated all involved in the success of this years Corsaire Aviation King of the Point.
“It can be pretty rare to score waves like this all day and especially during an event,” said Majeks. “I’m thrilled to see the King of the Point cement itself as a must-attend event on the Surfing WA calendar, a big congratulations goes out to all of our event champion, finalists, participants and supporters.”
First run in 1979, the Corsaire Aviation King of the Point presented by City of Stirling is the longest running and most prestigious event along the metropolitan coastline, attracting some of the state’s best surfers.
There will be plenty happening out of the water too, with activities and entertainment for the whole family all day long. As well as exciting surfing matchups, there will be amazing food and refreshing drinks on offer at Canteen and Island Market, the Vans skate & create zone, live DJ’s, the Tamla Legends premiere, a 360-degree VR (virtual reality) surf film experience, treasure hunts as well as surfboard and fins test areas.
Surfing WA reminds all our travelling competitors and families of the dangers of sending a text message or using a mobile phone while behind the wheel. The #NoTxtNoWrecks message is supported by our road safety partner the WA Road Safety Commission.
For more information on this or any other WA event be sure to log onto www.surfingwa.com.au and use the hashtag #KingofthePoint to interact with Surfing WA across their social media platforms.
2021 CORSAIRE AVIATION KING OF THE POINT RESULTS:
KING OF THE POINT – OPEN MEN
1. Max Marsden (Geraldton) – 18.50
2. Luke Campbell (Trigg) – 12.35
QUEEN OF THE POINT – OPEN WOMEN
1. April McPherson (Mandurah) – 14.50
2. Emma Cattlin (Yallingup) – 10.50
3. Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup) – 9.75
4. Mia McCarthy (Margaret River) – 4.75
LORD OF THE POINT – OVER 40 MEN
1. Mick Jardine (North Beach) – 15.25
2. Tommy Trigwell (Dunsborough) – 13.10
3. Luke Wyllie (North Fremantle) – 12.90
4. Luke Hayter (Doubleview) – 1.00
PRINCE OF THE POINT – UNDER 21 MEN
1. Jake Hagan (Geraldton) – 18.50
2. Jed Gradisen (Gracetown) – 15.75
3. Jack Mitchell (Margaret River) – 10.15
4. Solomon Pogue-Englert (Gracetown) – 9.75
JESTER OF THE POINT – UNDER 16 BOYS
1. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) – 12.75
2. Jesse Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach) – 10.50
3. Jack Lacey (Duncraig) – 8.05
4. Travis Barkhuizen (Eglinton) – 7.25
About Corsaire Aviation:
Corsaire Aviation operates an aircraft fleet out of a first class hangar based at Jandakot Airport. Visiting extraordinary destinations throughout Western Australia and mainland Australia, an ultimate experience is waiting for you with Corsaire Aviation. More information at www.corsaireaviation.com.au
