The SunSmart WA Bodyboard Titles presented by Good Earth Surf concluded in spectacular fashion at Clayton’s Beach in Mindarie over the weekend, with WA’s first State Champions of the year crowned in exciting high-performance bodyboard waves.
After beginning in Mandurah back in March, the SunSmart WA Bodyboard Titles attracted some of the State’s most experienced riders who went head-to-head with WA’s new generation of bodyboarders, who impressed in the wedging 2-3 feet waves on offer at Clayton’s.
Sunny skies combined with clean ocean conditions which saw plenty of spectators making the most of Clayton’s natural amphitheatre as people lined the break wall to soak up all the action.
Kai De Legh (Padbury) claimed a hard-fought win in the blue-ribbon Open Men’s final, defeating former Australian Champion Jake Metcalfe (Scarborough), his twin brother Josh De Legh (Padbury) and former Brazilian National Champion Tainan Monte (South Lake), who finished second, third and fourth respectively.
Big moves and big scores flowed during the 25-minute final, with all riders displaying the skills required for the win. But it was an epic invert which earned Kai De Legh a near perfect 9.93 (from a possible 10), that made the difference as he finished on a combined total of 16.70 (from a possible 20).
“That was a great final, everyone was catching waves and going big,” said De Legh. “The boys all surfed well and pushed me all the way.”
The third place finish from Josh De Legh (Padbury), backed up his win from round one in Mandurah seeing him crowned Open Men’s State Champion for 2021.
“This is my first Open State Title,” said De Legh. “I’m stoked for my brother taking the win and I’m excited to think we’ll be heading away and competing at National Titles together.”
Mindarie local Ebony Schell backed up her 2020 State Title, with a win in the Open Women’s division. Cheered on by many friends and family, Schell proved she’s a star on the rise and will be one to watch at the Australian Titles in Port Macquarie, NSW in August.
“I’m so stoked right now,” said Schell. “The waves have been fun and I’d like to congratulate all the other winners and State Champions.”
Margaret River’s Max McGregor claimed the Under-18 Junior Boys State Title using great wave selection to finish on a two-wave combined total of 12.97 (from a possible 20). McGregor was pushed all the way by Albany’s Elijah Medling, with just 0.24 separating the pair when the final siren sounded.
“I’m stoked to take the win and being State Champion has always been a goal of mine,” said McGregor. “It’s been a great weekend and I’m looking forward to heading away as part of the State Team.”
Mark Boehm (Marangaroo) took out the Drop Knee State Title with victory at Clayton’s. Boehm slashed and slid his way across the waves to defeat Declan Genge (Margaret River) and Elijah Medling (Albany).
“I’m thrilled to get the win, the conditions were so nice out there,” said Boehm. “To beat one of WA’s bodyboard best in such a tight result makes it that little bit sweeter as well.”
Joe Savage (Kalamunda) was the best of the youngsters, taking out his maiden State Title with victory in the Under-16 Cadet Boys. Savage topped a small but exciting group of youngsters who competed furiously in the wedges at Clayton’s Beach.
In other results from the weekend, Michael Reid (Margaret River) won the Over-35 Masters final, with Darren Hotker (Bunbury) claiming the State Title. While, Cottesloe’s Ian Goldthrope won the Over-45 Grand Masters division, with Glenn Schell (Mindarie) proving bodyboarding runs the family by capturing the Grand Masters’ State Title.
“Congratulations to our State Champions and divisional winners, it’s been a great weekend,” said Surfing WA’s Events Manager Justin Majeks. “I’d like to extend a warm thanks to the City of Wanneroo for hosting us and to all the supporters of bodyboarding here in WA.”
Surfing WA will be looking to provide a training camp for all National Title qualifiers prior to National Titles to best prepare competitors for the highest level of competition in the country.
Be sure to check out www.surfingwa.com.au for all event updates and information and remember you can follow all the event scores & results via www.surfingwalive.com.au
FINAL RESULTS – 2021 SUNSMART WA BODYBOARD TITLES @ CLAYTON’S BEACH
Open Men:
1. Kai De Legh (Padbury) – 16.76
2. Jake Metcalfe (Scarborough) – 16.00
3. Josh De Legh (Padbury) – 15.16
4. Tainan Monte (South Lake) – 10.37
2021 State Champion: Josh De Legh
Open Women:
1. Ebony Schell (Mindarie) – 28.25*
* combined totals from 2x finals
2021 State Champion: Ebony Schell
Under 18 Junior Boys:
1. Max McGregor (Margaret River) – 12.97
2. Elijah Medling (Albany) – 12.73
3. Fletcher Williams (Tapping) – 11.53
4. Luke Gibson (Sorrento) – 10.93
2021 State Champion: Max McGregor
Under 16 Cadet Boys:
1. Joe Savage (Kalamunda) – 26.74*
2. Reily Schell (Mindarie) – 19.73*
3. John Salmond (Quinns Rock) – 18.59*
* combined totals from 2x finals
2021 State Champion: Joe Savage
Drop Knee:
1. Mark Boehm (Marangaroo) – 19.93*
2. Declan Genge (Margaret River) – 16.73*
3. Elijah Medling (Albany) – 7.97*
* combined totals from 2x finals
2021 State Champion: Mark Boehm
Over 35 Masters:
1. Michael Reid (Margaret River) – 26.33*
2. James De Plessis (Doubleview) – 21.1*
3. Chad McGregor (Margaret River) – 18.64*
4. Darren Hotker (Bunbury) – 9.06*
* combined totals from 2x finals
2021 State Champion: Darren Hotker
Over 45 Grand Masters:
1. Ian Goldthorpe (Cottesloe) – 20.09*
2. Peter Tomsett (Greenwood) – 18.50*
3. Glenn Schell (Mindarie) – 18.25*
* combined totals from 2x finals
2021 State Champion: Glenn Schell
About SunSmart:
Western Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Protecting yourself from the sun by being SunSmart is a simple and effective way of reducing your risk of skin cancer. Remember to Slip on sun-protective clothing, Slop on SPF 30 sunscreen or higher, Slap on a broad-brimmed or bucket hat, Seek shade and Slide on some wrap-around sunglasses. When the UV is 3 or above, be SunSmart. Visit myUV.com.au for your UV forecast.
