Lewy Finnegan (Ocean Reef) and Davis Blackwell (Mandurah) have confirmed their status as "stars of the future" with emphatic wins in their respective divisions at the SunSmart WA Bodyboard Titles, presented by Reeflex Wetsuits in Yallingup over the weekend.
The second event of the series saw competitors excel in tricky waves just north of Yallingup Mainbreak, with clean conditions and a fun two-to-three foot swell, building to three-to-four foot of swell for the finals on Sunday.
Competitors tore into the punchy waves with reckless abandon, slipping into some deep barrels, and busting out huge aerial manoeuvres over the dangerously shallow end section of the reef.
Ben Veitch, giving Lewy a serious run for his money. All images and text courtesy of Surfing W.A / Woolacott.
The field of WA's next generation of bodyboarding talent provided plenty of highlights and made it clear that winning in Yallingup was a priority, with some quality performances across the eight divisions being contested.
Open Men's competitors to impress in the preliminary heats included Jake Metcalfe (City Beach), Boden Hay (Mullaloo), Matt Rakich (Mandurah), Lewy Finnegan and WA stalwart Tim Fowler (Padbury) who posted high scores and set the standard early.
"The waves have some good shape and it's a hell of a lot better than some other locations we checked earlier. It's the same for everyone out there so you just have to make the most of your chances when they come." Said Fowler after a dominant round one win which included a near perfect 9.50 ride (from a possible ten).
The Open Men's final was a quality affair with Fowler and Finnegan joined by Ben Veitch (Margaret River) and Boden Hay. Despite the best efforts of an injured Fowler and determined Hay, eventually the final turned into a two horse race with Lewy Finnegan and Ben Veitch going head to head in epic showdown.
Finnegan's opening ride was exactly the start he needed, posting his first of four 9.0 plus scores in 25 minutes. The current IBA World # 32 showed his class, building on his opening score with a combination of spins, big inverts and a massive backflip which was rewarded with the event's first perfect 10.
Finnegan's combined total of 19.83 points (from a possible twenty) included the perfect 10 and a 9.83, and saw him to seal the win and claim the $250 winners cheque.
"Im stoked, sucky waves are definitely my thing so to pick off a few with good sections on them was awesome. Finnegan Said. "I haven't competed in a State Title in a while, but to have prize money up for grabs and good waves make it a great weekend."
Veitch pushed hard with a 16.83 combined total which included a 9.0 and a 7.83, but it wasn't quite enough to eclipse Finnegan finishing in second ahead of Fowler in third and Hay in fourth.
Veitch carried his form from the Open Men's final into the O24 Senior Men's division where he posted a 15.10 combined total. Veitch never looked like slowing down and posted his second win from as many starts to claim the 2013 State Title.
"This has been a great weekend - at first the forecast wasn’t too promising but to score great waves both days has been epic." Said Veitch after beating Tim Fowler, Brendan Gabel (Rossmoyne) and Jacob Cross (Clarkson) who finished second, third and fourth respectively.
Davis Blackwell (Mandurah) was another standout competitor from the event, confirming he's a star of the future matching the efforts of close friend Lewy Finnegan in the U18 Junior Men's final posting an amazing 19.83 combined total.
Davis Blackwell, image courtest of Surfing W.A / Woolacott
After a less than desired result at the his home break, Mandurah Wedge for the opening event of the 2013 Titles, Blackwell stunned his opponents with a dominant display of progressive bodyboarding. Inverting and rolling his way to a perfect 10 and a near perfect 9.83, Blackwell was unstoppable leaving his fellow finalists in a combination situation to claim an impressive and memorable win. Blackwell defeated Margaret River's Lee Wilson, Jayden Eastcott (Binningup) and Daniel Steel (Yanchep).
"The waves just kept coming to me and I just tried to go bigger and better on each one." Said Blackwell who is striving for his fifth straight State Bodyboard Title.
Noah Symmans (Albany) sealed an unforgettable win the U16 Cadet Boys with a last minute buzzer beating score of 8.17 to claim his first ever State Bodyboard Title win. Symman's moved from fourth to first in the dying stages of a close final to win ahead of Blake Gerrad (Mindarie), Daniel Steel and Nathan Hutchins (Ocean Reef) who finished in second, third and fourth respectively.
Lost for words at the presentations, Symmans was clearly elated with his efforts moving into the lead of the U16's ratings and confirming his position for National Titles which are set to run in Victoria in November.
In other results from the weekend Rory Nelson (Gerladton) won the Drop Knee division, while Yallingup's Lochie Breaky was too good on his home break, winning the U14 Grommets divisions. Ed Evans (Margaret River) and Steve Black (Willagee) won the O35 Masters and O45 Grand Masters divisions.
Attentions will now turn to the final event of the SunSmart WA Bodyboard Titles presented by Reeflex Wetsuits which will wrap up on the metro beaches (Scarborough) on the 6th and 7th July. This will be the final opportunity for WA's best bodyboarders to qualify for the 2013 National Titles.
For more information on this event or any other surfing event in WA be sure to check out www.surfingwa.com.au or contact the Surfing WA Office on (08) 9448 0004.
