March 22
LOCAL SURFERS DOMINATE AMATEUR DIVISIONS

Surfers, judges and officials got through a mammoth day of competition on day 3 of the Australian Longboard Surfing Open at Kingscliff on Friday.

Light winds and a 2ft east swell greeted surfers as the competition swept through the first rounds of the 8ft Open, 9ft amateurs, O40’s, O50’s, O60’s, Retro, amateur women’s and Old Mal divisions.

Locals dominated the 9ft amateurs early with Joel Tilley (Tweed), Ben Johnson (Banora Point) and Tony Rae (Casuarina) proving that local knowledge is priceless in shifting conditions.

Johnson was especially outstanding also winning his heat in the 8ft division as well as finishing 2nd in his Retro heat.

16yr old Jordan Griffin (Mt Maunganui, NZ) was the exception to the local’s dominance mastering the tricky conditions to take an important heat win.

“I started the heat way too far up the bank and left myself with 10 minutes to scramble something together but I got a few runners and got through with the win,” said Griffin.

Griffin has come across from NZ with professional surfer Thomas Kibblewhite and is focused on proving that age is no barrier against his older, more experienced opponents.

Kingscliff surfer Ray Gleave really cemented his local egend status today adding to his wins in the SUP division semi finals yesterday with a win in the O50’s and a 2nd in the Old Mal semi final.

“There wasn’t too much pressure in that last one; I’ve just had a really good run so far in the tournament. It definitely does help having local knowledge as the waves aren’t always breaking in the same spot. ”

The 54 year old former 3x Australian Champion and former runner up world champion is looking as fit as ever and contributes that to his love of surfing.

“It’s no secret really but the best way to stay in shape and on top of your surfing is to just keep on surfing whenever you get the opportunity. I’m loving it as much as ever,” said Gleave.

****Tomorrow the competition is set to ramp up significantly with the return of both the men’s and women’s LQS divisions featuring current World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA), 2009 World Champion Harley Ingleby (AUS) and Women’s World No 5 Georgia Young (AUS).

***And it’s not all just the surfing with the tournament featuring a potential historic attempt to break the world record for the most surfers on a single wave around 12pm as well as live cooking demonstrations, an SUP clinic, a team’s challenge, live music and a bikini parade down by the beach on Saturday.

RESULTS:

PACIFIC FINANCE 8FT OPEN SEMI FINALS

HEAT 1- 1ST Ben Johnson 11.17, 2nd Joel Tilley 11.67, 3rd Ian Pearson 9.83, 4th Ray Lawrence 8.20

HEAT 2- 1st Dean Bevan 13.50, 2nd Damien Farago 11.44, 3rd Anthony McCulloch 10.20, 4th Michael Cottier 5.26, 5th Neal Snelling 0.60

SCALES 9FT AMATEUR RD 1

HEAT 1- 1st Joel Tilley 9.60, 2nd Anthony McCulloch 9.37

HEAT 2- 1ST Ben Johnson 12.90, 2nd Josh Munro 11.17, 3rd Mike Wilman 6.96, 4th Robert McLucas 6.56

HEAT 3-1ST Tony Rae 10.70, 2nd Scotty Channon 8.13, 3rd Matheus Santos 6.30, 4th Cliff Dredge 5.40, 5th Mark Dening 4.96

HEAT 4- 1ST Jordan Griffin 11.83, 2nd Damien Farago 10.33, 3rd Neal Snelling 3.17

SUMMERLAND CREDIT UNION O40’S SEMI FINALS

HEAT 1- 1st Danny O Brien 12.40, 2nd Mike Wilman 9.14, 3rd Robert McLucas 8.10, 4th Tony Rae 7.47

HEAT 2- 1ST Nigel Cantebury 9.03, 2nd Jay Carter 8.86, 3rd Trevor Skinner 8.06, 4th Tom Bennetts 7.27

 

OVER 50’S ROUND 1

HEAT 1- 1ST Albie Curtis 12.50, 2nd David Storck 9.66, 3rd Mick Grett 6.73

HEAT 2- 1st Gary Burden 12.00, 2nd Robin Yates 8.50, 3rd Storm Carter 7.10

HEAT 3- 1ST Ian Pearson 11.34, 2nd Warwick Clarke 1.00

HEAT 4 – 1ST Ray Gleave 9.34, 2nd Kerry Gill 4.13


RETRO ROUND 1

HEAT 1-1ST Tony Rae 14.00, 2nd Ben Johnson 11.47, 3rd Michael Cottier 8.43

HEAT 2- 1ST Nicholas Farago 12.34, 2nd Andrew Grantham 9.36

HEAT 3- 1ST Josh Munro 9.76, 2nd Ray Lawrence 9.26, 3rd Kerry Gill 4.70

HEAT 4 -1ST Luke Layory 14.07, 2nd Matt Aldridge 10.60, 3rd Marty Cole 7.43


BAJA CANTINA AMATEUR WOMEN SEMI FINALS

HEAT 1- 1ST Kathryn Hughes 9.36, 2nd Pippie Simpson 9.00, 3rd Suzi McCallister 3.57

HEAT 2-1ST Sam Vanderford 10.64, 2nd Lisa Nicholson 8.90, 3rd Louise Jeffs 2.27

 

OLD MAL SEMI FINALS

HEAT 1- 1ST Michael Cottier 11.50, 2nd Dion Harriss 6.40

HEAT 2- 1ST Joel Tilley 11.00, 2nd Ray Gleave 10.00, 3rd NealSnelling 1.53

 

WORLD CHAMP TAYLOR JENSEN GIVES OUT A MASTERCLASS AT DAY 1 OF THE AUSTRALIAN LONGBOARD OPEN OF SURFING

With challenging 2ft waves and shifting winds on offer, surfers really had to rely on smart wave selection and some creative surfing for day one at the Australian Longboard Surfing Open at Kingscliff, NSW.

Current world champion, Taylor Jensen (USA), excelled in the tricky conditions cruising through his round 1 heat and absolutely destroying his opponents in their quarter final scoring an amazing near-perfect hear score of 19.57, the highest heat score of the day.

“It’s funny but the waves that look good aren’t really that good, the smaller ones kind of double up and run further so I just looked for those runners and I found two of them and it worked out,” said Jensen.

Japanese surfer Shohei Akimoto also advanced to the semi finals in second behind Jensen.

Former world champion Harley Ingleby (Emerald Beach, NSW) looked unstoppable all day posting two big heat wins to also advance through to the semi finals.

Ingleby held off local surfer Jackson Close (Tweed Heads, AUS) who scored four waves over 7.00 in an entertaining affair where the waves turned on for all surfers.

“That was a really close heat! It’s always a really tough draw at the Australian Open, the world champ (Jensen) has set the bar pretty high but of course it’s my goal to win it,” said Ingleby.

Yallingup surfer Justin Redman (AUS) was the last surfer of the day to win through to the semis alongside Ray Lawrence (AUS) finishing 1st and 2nd in their quarter final.

Redman who has managed to sneak under the radar so far surfed two smart heats in slow conditions but is focused on achieving a big result.

“Pretty stoked to get through, I’ve made it to a few semis here before but never a final so I’m definitely focused on making that final!”

In the Cancer Institute ASP LQS Women’s event, World No 5 and the highest ranked surfer in the draw, Georgia Young, snuck through in a low-scoring affair over Samantha Suendemann (AUS) and Kirsty Webster (AUS) (2nd and 3rd respectively).

“It was a tough heat, I wasn’t where I wanted to be sitting for that heat but I managed to get one good wave and an ok backup which is all I needed in the end. The bank is there but it’s a challenge just finding those really good ones that allow you to link up a few manoeuvres but I managed to sneak through,” said Young.

Young will face Crystal Dzigas (HAW) who won her heat comfortably as well as Rosie Locke (AUS) and Suendemann in the first semi final on Saturday.

The pros will enjoy a few days off now with the Noserider, SUP Pro Surf and Illusions SUP Amateur Surf divisions hitting the water tomorrow.

RESULTS

MENS RD OF 24

HEAT 1- 1st- Taylor Jensen 15.47, 2nd-John Mcdonald 8.07, 3rd- Kimihiko Nishizaki 6.50

HEAT 2- 1st- Shane Morton 12.66, 2nd- Patrick O’Leary 9.27, 3rd- Michael Cottier 7.04

HEAT 3-1ST Jared Neal 13.27, 2nd Shohei Akimoto 11.27, 3rd Dane Pioli 9.00

HEAT 4- 1st Thomas Kibblewhite 10.50, 2nd Beau Nixon 8.5, 3rd Tony Silvagni 8.47

HEAT 5- 1st Harley Ingleby 13.60, 2nd Justin Redman 12.60, Clinton Guest 8.63

HEAT 6-1st Matt Aldridge 10.76, 2nd Heith Norrish 10.17, 3rd Michael Young 8.63

HEAT 7-1st Ray Lawrence 11.83, 2nd Nick Fargo 9.57, 3rd Jack Entwistle 9.34

HEAT 8- 1ST Nic Jones 14.20, 2nd Jackson Close 11.93, 3rd Lawrence Harkness 10.24


MENS QUARTERS

Q1- 1st Taylor Jensen 19.57, 2nd Shohei Akimoto 13.10, 3rd Beau Nixon 11.83, 4th Shane Morton 9.20

Q2- 1st- Thomas Kibblewhite 15.30, 2nd Jared Neal 15.00, 3rd John Mcdonald 12.64, 4th Patrick O Leary 10.27

Q3- 1st Harley Ingleby 16.04, 2nd Jackson Close 15.27, 3rd Matt Aldridge 11.03, 4th Nick Fargo 9.67

Q4- 1st Justin Redman 11.67, 2nd Ray Lawrence 11.33, 3rd Heith Norrish 11.03, 4th Nic Jones 10.23


WOMENS QUARTERS

Q1- 1ST Georgia Young 12.24, 2nd Samantha Suendermann 8.60, 3rd Kirsty Webster 8.07

Q2- 1st Crystal Dzigas 15.67, 2nd Rosie Locke 10.63, 3rd Hiroka Yoshikawa 9.80, 4th Roisin Carolan 6.90

Q3- 1st Alice Melissa Limoi 11.40, 2nd Erin Dark 9.33, 3rd Claire Norman 8.1, 4th Wen Ling Chou 5.60

Q4- 1st Melissa Combo 11.26, 2nd Fernanda Daichtman 10.9, 3rd Geodee Clark 7.17, 4th Lucy Small 6.60

March 1
CANCER INSTITUTE NSW ON BOARD AS WORLD’S BEST PREPARE FOR AUSTRALIAN LONGBOARD OPEN

Some of the world’s best Women’s Longboarders are preparing to descend on Kingscliff from March 20-24 to contest Australian Longboard Surfing Open and gain valuable qualifying points in the 2013 ASP LQS (Longboard Qualifying Series).

Australia’s number one ranked ASP competitor, Georgia Young (WA), will be looking to improve upon her disappointing equal 13th position in 2012 and is looking forward to surfing Kingscliff again.

“I've surfed Kingscliff quite a lot over the last few years, and it's a great wave. It can be a little tricky when it's big, but if you pick off the right wave it's a perfect right hander that offers a few different sections. It's a great comp. It's fantastic to have LQS divisions for both men and women, as well as
the amateur and retro divisions. It pulls together a really good crew of surfers and makes for a fun event,” said Young.

Young will face some stiff competition for the title and is up against some of the world’s best longboarders including World No 5, Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN), and =No 13 Crystal Dzigas (HAW) and Wen Ling Chou (TPE).With the high calibre of surfers in the event the Australian Longboard Open is proud to announce the Cancer Institute NSW as a major sponsor of the ASP LQS Woman's Division.

This is the 3rd time the Cancer Institute NSW has sponsored this division.

"We are proud to have the Cancer Institute NSW sponsor this division for the 3rd time. This support enables Australian surfers the opportunity to compete at the highest level in Australia against competitors from around the world. It also brings awareness of the dangers of exposure to the sun and how to minimise the risks of over exposure to the sun," said event director Sean McKeown.

20 February
Guinness World Record
On Saturday  March  23rd   an official attempt  will  be made  to  break the Guinness  World  Record for  the  "most people  riding  the same  wave"  The attempt  will be one of the feature activities at this year’s Australian Longboard Surfing Open. being held  at Kingscliff between March 20th and 24th.
The current  record  is held  by  the Go  Ride  a  Wave  Surf School  from Anglesea  in Victoria with  120 surfers.  Organisers are  hoping  to get  around  200 people  to  participate. This  should  get enough  standing  up at  the  same time  to set  a new  record.
"We  wanted  to  include  as  many people  in  the  activities  during  the event  as  possible" explained event director Sean McKeown.  "We realise not  every  surfer is  into  contests  but  they  are all  into having fun  in  the  surf.  By  staging this  attempt  on  the  Guinness  World  Record  we are hoping all surfers  no  matter what  their  skill  level is  will  feel part  of  the  Australian  Longboard  Surfing Open."
Registration  forms can be  down  loaded from  the  Australian Longboard  Surfing  Open website  www.australianlongboardopen.com or you can register on the day.  A registration  fee  of  $15  will 
apply  with  all  participants receiving  an  event T-Shirt and proceeds  being  donated to  Surf  Aid 
International.
This is a  fun  event for  all  ages, so if  you  ride a  surfboard,  longboard or  S.U.P.  come  on  down to  Kingscliff  and help  us  bring the  world  record to  the  Tweed.
Organisers  would welcome  enquires  from any  Board  riding clubs,  Schools  or Surf-Schools  in  the 
region.  You  can see all  the  Event  info  on the  australianlongboardopen.com  website 

For any  further  information contact  John  Newman on  0434  400 534.
AUSTRALIA AIMS FOR LONGBOARD PINNACLE, RECORD
Friday, 1 February 2013

After the success of last year's Australian Longboard Surfing Open ASP Australasia is pleased to announce that it will be running again in 2013 from March 20 - 24. The Australian Longboard Surfing Open will be held at Kingscliff, Northern New South Wales and will feature fun for the whole family with event organisers planning on an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the most people surfing on one wave and everyone is invited to get involved.

Harley Ingleby (AUS), 2009 ASP World Longboard Champion and last year's runner-up at the Australian Longboard Surfing Open is looking forward to returning to Kingscliff for the first ASP Australasia Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event for 2013.

"It'll be great to kick of the contest year again with the Australian Longboard Open," Ingleby said. "Since the event started we have been really lucky to get Kingscliff with good banks. Hopefully this year is the same and it will be a good contest. It's as tough a comp as any on the LQS circuit with guys like the current WLT champion Taylor Jensen a regular, I'm looking forward to it."

Taylor Jensen (USA), reigning two-time ASP World Longboard Champion and last year's Australian Longboard Surfing Open event champion won all the ASP Australasia LQS events in 2012 and will be the one to beat at this year's event.

"I'm excited to be heading back to The Australian Open of Longboarding for the second year," Jensen said. "Last year was a great event, there was great music and movie premiers, we had some really fun surf and I am looking forward to kicking off the 2013 ASP Australasia LQS season there. Hopefully we will get one of those nice ex-cyclone swells coming down the coast and get some pumping surf to battle it out in!"

Sean McKeown, Australian Longboard Surfing Open Event Director is keen to see the Australian longboarding community gather at his event again this year after a hugely successful event in 2012.

"We were fortunate to again score epic waves at Kingscliff in last year's event," McKeown said. "Every year the standard of surfing just gets better. I'm looking forward to seeing which young up-and-comers step up to take on the established crew of Harley Ingleby and Taylor Jensen. We're also looking forward to the Guinness World Record Attempt for the most number of surfers on the same wave."
9 January
Guinness World Record to Headline this Years Australian Longboard Surfing Open
An official attempt on the Guinness WorldRecord for the "most surfers riding the same wave" will be one of the feature activities at this years Australian Longboard Surfing Open.
"We wanted to include as many people in the activities during the event as possible" explained event director Sean McKeown. "We realise not every surfer is into contests but they are all into having fun in the surf. By staging this attempt on the Guinness World Record we are hoping all surfers no matter what their skill level is will feel part of the Australian Longboard Surfing Open."
"I believe the official record is 120 surfers and is held by Go Ride A Wave Surf School from Anglsea in Victoria" McKeown continued.
"We will be looking for 200 participants to help us claim a new Guinness World Record as not every will manage to catch the same wave. We welcome everyone from short boarders, longboarders and Stand Up Paddlers to come and be part of this attempt. The rules were simple: All surfers had to ride the same wave in at the same time and stand for at least five seconds while doing so."
There will be a slight registration fee and all participants will receive a t-shirt marking the occasion.
Another new activity during this years Australian Longboard Surfing Open will be the inaugural "Interclub Teams Challenge".
A limited number of club teams will be competing against each other in a range of divisions from 9ft Open to Retro boards, Under 18's, Women, 8ft boards and over 40's. "We are hoping to see some friendly rivalry between the local clubs" said McKeown.
"Of course we will still have our normal contest divisions including the ASP Longboard Qualifying Series Division and amateur divisions for all ages."
19 December
KINGSCLIFF SURF COMP RECIEVES NSW Regional Flagship Events Grant
The Hon George Souris announced this week that the annual Australian Longboard Surfing Open at Kingscliff was one of 38 events to receive NSW Regional Flagship Events Program support for 2013.
"The level of commitment you and your team bring to staging a successful event within your community is outstanding" said Souris.
The Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest, who presented the awards at last year's event, has welcomed the allocation of $10,000 from the NSW Government for the 2013 competition. "Given the massive erosion events along the southern end of Kingscliff Beach, I am delighted to see both the sand and the longboard competition returning to the beach. This is great news for Kingscliff and I look forward to attending the event again next year."
"This degree of support from the NSW Government is encouraging. This support enables us to provide more activities and attract more visitors to Kingscliff during the event" commented Event Director Sean McKeown.
As well as competitive surfing for both professionals and amateurs on various equipment, a Guinness World Record Attempt for the "Most Surfers Riding the Same Wave" will be staged. 200 plus participants will be required to take part in this record attempt and anyone with a surfboard/SUP board can be involved.
"The focus is on attracting more visitors to Kingscliff. You don't have to be a world champion to become
involved" said McKeown.
He continued "You will see some of the worlds best longboard and SUP surfers in action in the waves, as well as be able to check out classic surf cars and listen to live surf music."
ENDS

March 12

NOT JUST A SURFING EVENT: SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY AT AUSTRALIAN LONGBOARD OPEN

The Australian Longboard Open of Surfing is not just your average surfing contest. It showcases some of the world’s best men including current world champion Taylor Jensen, former world
champion Harley Ingleby, multiple Australian Champion Jackson Close and women longboarding superstars from Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Hawaii and of course our own Australian champions. The Open is also set to celebrate a whole range of cultural, artistic and culinary events throughout the week.

For all those food lovers out there award winning Aussie chef, Steven Snow, from ‘Guide to the Good Life’ on Channel 7, will be showcasing a cooking  BBQ exhibition on the beach on Saturday 23rd.

On Thursday night at 8pm the multi-award winning action sports/environmental documentary ‘Last Paradise’ will have its East Coast premiere at the Cinemax Cinema in Kingscliff. You do
not want to miss this unique thought provoking, visual masterpiece!

The entertainment doesn’t stop there with the Beach Bar in Lions Park transforming into a
concert venue over the weekend with a full line up of bands and musicians including Broadfoot, Matt Bruggy, Jason Kafoa,  Fat Albert, The Real Deal and Moomoo Pappa.

For lovers of art and photography Pacific Longboard Magazine will be running a photographic competition over the course of the event for amateur photographers with great prizes for all ages
including running the winning shots in their magazine. There will also be lifestyle stalls on display for the duration of the event.

For surfers, cars are a vital piece of ancillary equipment. Surfers have always used whatever they could get paws on to get them to the beach. From '38 Ford’s, to the Woody, from 64 EH Holden’s to mums taxi.  All have been the symbol of surf transportation. During the event will be a display of super cool rides that will take pride of place in a specially reserved parking area in
Kingscliff. Assemble southern end of the Lions Park Kingscliff 9am Sunday 24th. A registration  fee  of  $10  will  apply  with proceeds being donated to the Disabled Surfers Association.

Pic_By_Luke_Sorensen_5758_lo_res.JPG

Other highlights of the Australian Longboard Surfing Open include a Guinness World Record Attempt for the most surfers on a single wave, book signings, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) racing, surfing clinics and more