Some of WA’s best stand up paddleboarders (SUP) have shone through in wet and windy weather in Mandurah over the weekend, as the opening event of The North Freo Stand Up Surf Shop WA SUP Titles presented by SunSmart kicked off along the Peel coastline.
Competitors had to contend with contrasting conditions, with event officials utilising both sides of the Dawesville Cut to complete the opening stop of the 2021 series. A total of 10 divisions had to adapt between the punchy beach breaks at Pyramids on day one, to the rolling lefts at Avalon for finals day.
Avalon’s iconic left-hand point looked more like a washing machine as strong onshore winds, coupled with rain and a building swell, challenged the field of competitors who had converged from across WA with hopes of qualifying for the Australian SUP Titles to be contested on Phillip Island, in October.
Regining Open Men’s State Champion, Chris Twomey (Karrinyup), proved he’s still at the top of his game, winning hotly contested Open Men’s division in emphatic style. Twomey was in great rhythm with the ocean, picking off the best waves on offer during the 25-minute Open Men’s final.
Flowing with great speed through every turn, Twomey posted an impressive two-wave combined total of 15.83 (from a possible 20), that included an 8.33 and a back up 7.50. Despite the best efforts of inform surfers Marcus Tardrew (Scarborough), Geoff Parsons (Coogee) and Peter Tomsett (Greenwood), it was Twomey who managed the tricky conditions at Avalon best.
“It’s a nasty ocean out there and to win in challenging conditions makes it even more memorable,” said Twomey. “I’m looking forward to getting some warmth and sunshine in Geraldton that’s for sure.”
Dunsborough’s Jacenta McKenna was another impressive performer at Avalon, surfing with poise and precision to claim her first win at State Title level. In the closest result of the weekend, just 0.16 separated the top 3 placed women.
McKenna pipped Cottesloe’s Susannah Wilson for the win by just 0.03 when the final siren sounded, with Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) in third, just 0.13 behind Wilson and Monica McNab (Karrinyup) finished in fourth.
“I can’t believe it,” said McKenna. “The girls all surf so well than anyone could have won that final, I’m just stoked to be here competing again.”
Commitment proved to be the key to success, with large set waves offering the best scoring opportunity. The standard of competition remained high across all other divisions including the Over-40 Men’s division.
Darron McNab (Karrinyup) stroked into a buzzer beating wave with just seconds remaining during the 40’s final. McNab tagged the lip multiple times to earn an excellent 8.67 (from a possible 10), as well as the West Coast Suspensions Wave of the Weekend for his efforts.
“I couldn’t hear anything out there, I just knew I was going” said McNab. “That wave just stood up on the reef and kept lining up, so I’m stoked to get the win with a buzzer beater!”
Crawford Olney (Spearwood) was arguably one of the best competitors of the event, featuring in three finals and winning two, including the Over-50 Men’s and 10ft Over-50 Men’s divisions. The double win for Olney was the only one of the weekend, putting him in a league of his own.
“That was a massive weekend of waves and weather,” said Olney. “I’m already looking forward to heading north to Geraldton for some sunshine and great waves.”
In other results from the weekend, Jamie Ralston (Bicton) won the 10ft Open Men’s final, Susannah Wilson (Cottesloe) claimed victory in the 10ft Open Women’s final, with Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) successful in the Over-40 Women’s.
While, Isaac Nettlebeck (Karridale) proved he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the future, taking out the Under-18 Junior win. On the other end of the scale, Yallingup’s Richard Wain took out the Over-60 Men’s division in style.
All attentions now turns towards stop two of the North Freo Stand Up Surf Shop WA SUP Titles which will head north to Geraldton in late July, where the 2021 State SUP Champions will be decided.
Congratulations to Geoff Parsons for claiming a brand new Sunova SUP for his solid performance across multiple divisions.
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 2021 North Freo Stand Up Surf Shop WA SUP Titles presented by SunSmart.
FINAL RESULTS – NORTH FREO STAND UP SURF SHOP WA SUP TITLES – RND # 1 MANDURAH
Open Men’s:
1. Chris Twomey (Karrinyup) – 15.83
2. Marcus Tardrew (Scarborough) – 11.64
3. Geoff Parsons (Coogee) – 11.10
4. Pete Tomsett (Greenwood) – 7.66
Open Women’s:
1. Jacenta McKenna (Dunsborough) – 21.73
2. Susannah Wilson (Cottesloe) – 21.70
3. Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) – 21.57
4. Monica McNab (Karrinyup) – 15.23
* results based off 2x finals
Open Men’s 10ft:
1. Jamie Ralston (Bicton) – 12.2
2. Sam McCullough (Melville) – 11.67
3. Crawford Olney (Spearwood) – 9.50
4. Scott McKercher (Margaret River) – 6.67
Open Women’s 10ft
1. Susannah Wilson (Cottesloe) – 26.60
* results based off 2x finals
Under 18 Junior’s:
1. Isaac Nettlebeck (Karridale) – 7.76
* results based off 2x finals
Over 40 Men’s:
1. Darron McNab (Karrinyup) – 14.94
2. Peter Tomsett (Greenwood) – 14.34
3. Marcus Tardrew (Scarborough) – 13.64
4. Geoff Parsons (Coogee) – 10.90
Over 40 Women’s:
1. Silvia De Araujo (Scarborough) – 19.01
2. Monica McNab (Karrinyup) – 15.30
* results based off 2x finals
Over 50 Men’s:
1. Crawford Olney (Spearwood) – 13.60
2. Chris Twomey (Karrinyup) – 12.73
3. Jamie Ralston (Bicton) – 10.47
4. Darron McNab (Karrinyup) – 8.47
Over 50 Men’s 10ft:
1. Crawford Olney (Spearwood) – 13.26
2. Jamie Ralston (Bicton) – 8.34
3. Adam Gare (Swanbourne) – 7.64
4. Richard Wain (Yallingup) – 7.17
Over 60 Men’s:
1. Richard Wain (Yallingup) – 22.90
2. Gordon McKercher (Palmyra) – 9.70
3. Peter Bevan (Fremantle) – 8.10
4. Kurt Grainger (Mandurah) – 5.60
5. Marshall Thompson (Subiaco) – 2.60
* results based off 2x finals
About the North Freo Stand Up Surf Shop:
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. Plus over 200 stand up paddle boards for sale, as well as over 50 SUP boards that you can demo for free – in your own time and place. They stock major global stand up paddle board brands – Starboard, Red Paddle Co & Fanatic as well as WA designed and tested SUP boards – SMIK & Sunova. And larger Australian brands like NSP, Little Rippas and Ocean & Earth. We also have our own shop brand for great value entry SUPs. More info at: www.standupsurfshop.com.au
