Western Australia’s best stand up paddleboarders (SUP) have mastered truly challenging conditions in Margaret River, as champions were crowned across ten divisions at the 2022 Stand Up Surf Shop North Freo WA SUP State Championships presented by SunSmart.
Competitors converged from across WA in hopes of scoring quality surf, but had to contend with strong and gusty winds, which combined with waves in the 3-4 feet range over the three-day event waiting period. Margaret River’s iconic Surfers Point proved to be a great SUP venue, with Southside’s handling the strong cross shore winds, as competitors battled hard in hopes of qualifying for the Australian SUP Titles to scheduled to be held on Phillip Island, VIC in October.
Gracetown’s Rick Jakovich proved he’s still one of WA’s best watermen, by winning the hotly contested Open Men’s and Over-40 Men’s divisions in style, becoming the first of many multiple event winners across the event.
Jakovich found great rhythm with the ocean, picking off some of the best waves of the event and continued to do so during the 25-minute Open Men’s final. Flowing through the lumpy conditions with great speed through every turn, Jakovich posted an impressive two-wave combined total of 16.00 (from a possible 20), that included an 8.67 and a back up 7.33.
Despite the best efforts of inform surfers including younger brother, Jake Jakovich (Gracetown), emerging talent Ryder Vernon (Yallingup) and former AFL-player David Muir (Claremont), it was Rick Jakovich who managed the tricky conditions in Margaret River best to take the blue-ribbon win.
“That’s gota be up there in my top three most difficult events on a SUP,” said Jakovich. “The lefts out there can be all-time on the right swell direction, I found a couple of good waves out there today which I’m happy about. It’s always nice to have an event in proper waves, but a bit less wind might be nice next time.”
Jakovich kept his rich vein of form going in the Over-40 Men’s final, dropping another imposing two-wave total off 15.77 (from a possible 20), taking down Jake Jakovich (Gracetown), Darron McNab (Karrinyup) and Peter Tomsett (Greenwood).
“It’s always nice to get one up on your younger brother, but to do it twice was even better,” joked Jakovich. “I’m thrilled to get the double win and it would be nice to surf with him and against him hopefully at Nationals.”
Cottesloe’s Susannah Wilson was another impressive performer in the powerful waves off Margaret River, surfing with poise and precision to claim wins in the Open Women’s and 10ft Open Women’s divisions.
Wilson sliced and diced her way through the chop to amass a 10.90 two-wave total when the final siren sounded. Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) finished in second, Tashka Goswell (Scarborough) was a first time finalist in third, with Patrice Richardson (Kalbarri) rounding out the top four.
“That was pretty extreme out there,” said Wilson post her heat. “Thanks to the girls out there with me and pushing me all the way. Thanks for all the support we have down here, I love this wave, but I’ve seen a new side of her this weekend.”
Top honours were reserved for Crawford Olney (Spearwood), who was the standout surfer of the event, claiming a hat trick of wins, which included victories the Over-50 Men’s, 10ft Open Men’s and 10ft Over-50 Men’s divisions.
The triple win for Olney created a small slice of history and provided a memorable finish to what was an exceptional event for him personally.
“It’s been a massive event, with some great waves, but tricky conditions,” said Olney. “Everyone I surfed against out there over the past three days absolutely rips, so to walk away with multiple wins in really challenging conditions means a lot to me.”
In other results from the weekend, Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) displayed great commitment which was a key ingredient to success in the Over-40 Women’s final. Ryder Vernon (Yallingup) proved he’s a force to be reckoned with some rapid improvement since 2021 seeing him take out the Under-18 Juniors. While, Yallingup’s Richard Wain defended his 2021 State Title with a win in the Over-60 Men’s division.
The Stand Up Surf Shop North Freo WA SUP State Championships, are integral to the continued development of the sport in Western Australia. 2022 marked the first time the tournament has travelled Margaret River, with a quality field of competitors now setting their sights on the 2022 Australian SUP Titles, set to take place on wave-rich Phillip Island, VIC.
“I’d like to congratulate all our competitors and our newly crowned State Champions for their outstanding efforts here in Margaret River,” said Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks. “The courage and bravado on offer from all our competitors should be noted and I love the vibe and encouragement that SUP events provide. We certainly build them tough here in the West”
Rick Jakovich captured the West Coast Suspensions ‘Wave of the Weekend’ for an excellent 8.67 (from a possible 10) during the Over-40 Men’s final. Crawford Olney walked away with the Auto Masters ‘Memorable Moment’ Award for his hat trick of wins across the three-day event.
Surfing WA acknowledges the State Government’s support through the Road Safety Commission and reminds all our traveling competitors and families of the dangers of sending a text message or using a mobile phone while behind the wheel – Remember #NoTxtNoWrecks.
Stay tuned to www.surfingwa.com.au for news, photos and updates relating to the 2022 North Freo Stand Up Surf Shop SUP WA State Championships presented by SunSmart.
2022 STAND UP SURF SHOP NORTH FREO SUP WA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS – FINAL RESULTS
Open Men SUP:
- Rick Jakovich (Gracetown) – 16.00
- Jake Jakovich (Gracetown) – 14.16
- Ryder Vernon (Yallingup) – 11.16
- David Muir (Claremont) – 3.00
Open Women SUP:
- Susannah Wilson (Cottesloe) – 10.90
- Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) – 9.67
- Tashka Goswell (Scarborough) – 6.33
- Patrice Richardson (Kalbarri) – 1.40
Under 18 Junior SUP:
- Ryder Vernon (Yallingup) – 11.16
- Isaac Nettlebeck (Karridale) – 0.50
Over 40 Men SUP:
- Rick Jakovich (Gracetown) – 15.77
- Jake Jakovich (Gracetown) – 12.26
- Darron McNab (Karrinyup) – 8.60
- Peter Tomsett (Greenwood) – 3.90
Over 40 Women SUP:
- Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) – 9.50
- Monica McNab (Karrinyup) – 8.54
- Patrice Richardson (Kalbarri) – 3.33
Over 50 Men SUP:
- Crawford Olney (Spearwood) – 13.17
- Chris Twomey (Karrinyup) – 11.20
- Darron McNab (Karrinyup) – 10.06
- David Sewell (Mosman Park) – 0.00
Over 60 Men SUP:
- Richard Wain (Yallingup) – 25.66
- Peter Bevan (Fremantle) – 6.83
*combined totals from 2x finals
10ft Open Men SUP:
- Crawford Olney (Spearwood) – 12.34
- David Muir (Claremont) – 10.84
- Sam McCullough (Melville) – 10.17
- Scott McKercher (Margaret River) – 9.10
10ft Open Women SUP:
- Susannah Wilson (Cottesloe) – 24.27
- Patrice Richardson (Kalbarri) – 7.00
*combined totals from 2x finals
10ft Over 50 Men SUP:
- Crawford Olney (Spearwood) – 10.47
- Ricahard Wain (Yallingup) – 8.93
- Brook Ekers (Wangarra) – 4.90
- Adam Gare (Swanbourne) – 0.00
About the North Freo Stand Up Surf Shop:
Stand Up Surf Shop was born out of passion. Founder Mike Galvin had always loved his water sports, and once he discovered stand up paddle boarding, he was hooked. Stand Up Surf Shop is Australia’s biggest SUP specialist store. They have Perth’s most experienced SUP staff available to chat in store or over the phone. More info at: www.standupsurfshop.com.au
