S.A. STATE TITLES

State Title Dates

March 13^th & 14^th  -  Round 1 - Mid or South Coast (held at Parsons - report below)

April 24^th & 25^th    -  Round 2 - Yorkes (held at Chinamen's reef - report below)

May 29^th & 30^th     -  Round 3- Mid or South Coast (held at Seaford - report below)

Unofficial Ranking - Kneeboard Division State Titles 2010

Pinebox Claims Round 3 of the State Kneeboard Titles

A determined and energetic Phil Arthur (Pinebox or PB) made the most, of difficult surfing conditions, to take out the third and final round of the State Kneeboard Surfing Titles, which were held on Sunday 30 May 2010 at Seaford on the Mid-coast.

The third round of the State Titles for all surfers started Saturday at Middleton Bay and Point in very average small conditions which deteriorated as the day progressed. The wind, which was northwest early, began to strengthen and switched to westerly onshore. The kneeboarders, being only five (all club members), were advised that they will surf in a five man final on Sunday. Pinebox and myself decided to get a quick surf early at Middleton Point before the foul weather hit.  The session did not last long as the conditions changed for the worse in minutes.  PB got a few good rides considering the poor quality of the waves and showed he was primed for the competition on Sunday.  I struggled in the conditions but did score one good wave, which gave me a glimmer of hope for the next day.  The rest of the day was filled with wind and rain, while Surfing SA struggled to keep the competition for the stand up surfers going.  To their credit they got through with what must have been a trying day.

Sunday morning, after listening to the wind and rain all night, I wasn't too optimistic about the conditions at Middleton.  At 7am in very poor light conditions, I drove to the point only to see white water as far as the eye can see.  All wind generated, although the swell had increased.  Clearly it was unsurfable.  PB phoned shortly after 7am asking about the conditions, which I briefly summed up as crap.  He said that the competition will more than likely be held at Seaford.  About five minutes later he phoned back to confirm that the rest of the competition will be held at Seaford.

The surf earlier in the morning at Seaford although small was rideable but deteriorating as the southerly wind strengthened and the tide started moving.  The Kneeboarders were on just after 12 noon.  Jake again worked as a judge (onya Jake) for the better part of the morning, while Maxi and partner Lynda and Simon, joined PB and Lynne for a cup of coffee at PB's new place at Seaford. I hung around looking for a warm-up surf but decided against it and watched the competition, trying to work out the best way to ride Seaford seeing I have never surfed it on a kneeboard.

By noon the conditions were very poor, but OK, considering the weather we were having.  Just after 12 noon five of us paddled out into small onshore conditions.  When the siren blew to start our heat we were all jostling for positions but no waves were coming in.  A few of us caught waves that died shortly after take-off.  It was soon obvious that PB wanted to win this as he paddled for everything and soon picked up some long rides scoring on some good manoeuvres.  He even had time to go in and change his board.  I picked up one ride to the shore, but did little to attract points from the judges.  Simon took his usual spot out back and picked up one or two good rides and soon moved into second place.  Jake, who won the previous two rounds, was yet to score a reasonable ride and for most of the heat was in fifth spot.  Maxi picked up a few clean faces that died immediately after take-off and failed to pick up a good score.  Near the end Jake took off on one of the better waves for the session and scored well enough to move into second.  When the final siren went PB, who led the whole heat, won, Jake came second, Simon third with myself and Maxi taking fourth and fifth respectively. 

Congratulations Phil on your win.  As can be seen from the unofficial points table above, this win moved Phil into second Place overall.  Jake Hadcroft is the 2010 State Kneeboard Surfing champion.  Well done to both of you guys you have done the club proud.

Well done to Surfing SA for successfully running the State Titles in such difficult conditions.

For photos taken by Lynda (Maxi's Partner) click on the link below.

Gun

Photos Round 3 - State Titles 2010

Jake Hadcroft surfs to victory at Chinamen's Reef Yorke Peninsula

The second round of the State Kneeboard Surfing Titles were held on the Anzac Day weekend.  Five competitors turned up, all being club members, well done guys as it's a long way to travel.

Saturday morning dawned with northwest winds swinging westerly and a small swell.  SA Surfing decided to hold the contest at Chinamen's Reef, knowing that the swell was expected to increase during the day.  The kneeboarders were slotted in the later heats, which meant we were on about 3 pm.  No chance for a free surf as conditions were poor so we hung around at Stylemaster's caravan at the Caravan Park checking the internet for swell and weather conditions.  It looked promising.

About 2 pm back at the contest site the swell as predicted had increased and the nerves were starting to kick in.  When the first heat was about the hit the water only two of three had turned up.  The third, an unknown, was absent and to speed up the days event Surfing SA decided to run an expression session for all five kneeboarders combining the two heats.  Jake Hadcroft caught more waves then the rest of us combined and would have easily won the session.  Followed closely by Maxi, who had his share of waves.  Fangio got some good rides getting in deep.  The worst wipe-out for the whole day went to Craig Jacobs who took off just a little to late, but Gun took advantage of the empty wave he left.  It was a tough session as an increasing wind and rain made the conditions the worst of the day.

Sunday dawned with lighter winds and and even bigger swell.  The kneeboarders were on about 12 noon for a five man final.  The wind had dropped right out and conditions were almost glassy.  There was a bit more optimism around.  While paddling out Jake got crunched on the reef by a closeout ripping out his right hand fin.  He continued out with only two of his three fins remaining.  Although there was hope that this may slow him down, it didn't, as he still caught the most waves and did enough to win.  Gun did hold the early lead but after a few over-the falls and a lot of paddling Gun slipped back with only one wave under his belt.  Jake and Maxi were catching all the waves and held first and second respectively for most of the heat.  In the last five minutes Gun managed to get a clean wave that held up and rode it till it closed out on the reef and unfortunately for Maxi pipped him at the post.  Craig and Fangio were caught inside a few too many times and spent a few moments checking out the bottom.  The final result was Jake first, Gun second, Maxi third, Craig and Fangio fourth and fifth respectively.

The surf was great for a contest.  The event was well organised by Surfing SA and to their credit they got through all heats without incident.  Well done Surfing SA.  I should also mention that Jake was on the judging panel and did the club proud by helping out SA Surfing.  Congratulations Jake on your win and well done on being one of the judges for the weekend.

For photos taken by Kristian Sauer and Stylemaster click on link below.

Round three is coming up next month (29th/30th).  See you there.

Gun

State Titles Round 2  - Kneeboard Surfing Final Photos

Jake Hadcroft takes out Round 1 of the State Kneeboard Surfing Titles

Round One of the State Kneeboard Surfing Titles were held on Sunday 14th March 2010 at Parsons Beach with eight competitors.  All who competed are members of our club, well done guys.

Friday night before the State Titles the surf reports held a lot of promise with weather conditions being perfect but the swell was expected to drop.  PB sent messages via mobile to most of the kneeboard competitors to let us know to report to Waitpinga by 7.30am on Saturday. 

Saturday dawned with light easterly winds.  Waitpinga Beach had a bit of size but unfortunately the peaks were a bit shifty and it was decided to move to the point at Parsons Beach, which was sheltered from the easterly winds. Swell size was good and the contest was on.  Unfortunately for us kneelo's our heats were deferred to Sunday.  No problem though.  We were all together and decided to go for a surf together (secretly wanting to psych each other out).  Phil and Jake had to stay at the competition site as judges for the various heats of junior's, women's and open division of the stand up surfers. 

After checking out Waitpinga Beach which was still all over the place and Middleton where the wind was too cross shore, it was decide that Goolwa was the goer.   The waves were clean at Goolwa but the easterly wind kept blowing us toward Middleton.  All of us kept paddling towards the east but kept moving west.  It made it hard but we had a good surf as a warm up for the state titles tomorrow.  That night PB again sent out the messages via mobile so we all knew when to turn up the next day.

The swell dropped significantly overnight, but the wind conditions were OK.  The first heat, PB, Jake, Craig and Paul Francis hit the water around 10 am.  The swell had dropped and the sets were inconsistent.  Jake paddled all over the place and seemed to pick up a few good rides to take the early lead.  Phil got onto a few and made some radical manoeuvres and soon took over the lead.  Paul and Craig struggled, not finding the right waves and didn't challenge the leaders.  Jake scored some more longer rides and got the nod for the heat.  Jake first, PB second, Craig third and Paul fourth. 

Heat two, Kimbo, Simon, Maxi and Gun took to the water immediately after heat one.  Gun caught some smaller waves that closed on the shallow sandbar and scored a few consolation points.  But he did have the early lead, which was quickly taken away by Simon who waited patiently for the larger waves of the set and got a few workable faces.  Kimbo got some of the longer lefts and soon took over first spot leaving Maxi and Gun fighting for third place. Kimbo first, Simon Second, Gun third and Maxi fourth.

The  final, Jake, PB, Kimbo and Simon was held at about 1pm with Simon surfing in the final of the Over 50's Men (stand-up) the heat before.  Maxi served as his caddy taking out his kneeboard and fins for a quick change in the water.  The final was a fairly even event between Simon, PB and Jake.  Jake had wave after wave and made some radical turns to take an immediate lead.  PB who struggled to find waves, worked what he got to the max and scored highly on each ride.  Simon caught the bigger waves out back but did not score well from the judges.  Kimbo struggled to get a start but got a few good rides, unfortunately not enough.  While, PB was paddling all over the place trying to position himself, the waves seem to come to Jake who made the most of them.  The end result was Jake first, PB second, Simon third and Kimbo fourth. (Link to final's photos below.)

Congratulations Jake. Well done to all competitors, you all have done the club proud.

Can't wait for round two.

Gun

State Titles Round 1 - Kneeboard Surfing Final Photos