A FAVOURITE OF HERS: Seven time surfing world champion Layne Beachley will compete in this weekend’s NSW VB Surfmasters at Pacific Palms.
THE pristine beaches of Pacific Palms are again on the radar of surfing’s most illustrious alumni with seven-time world champion Layne Beachley set to compete in the NSW VB Surfmasters this weekend.
Beachley’s visit comes after two time world champion Mick Fanning visited the same breaks in April. The event will see more than 100 competitors compete across eight divisions from over 35s to over 50s in the men’s and over 35s in the women’s. The successful competitors will qualify for Team NSW for the 2012 Australian Surfmasters Titles which are set to be held during the Australian Surf Festival from August 11 to 25. Beachley is looking forward to coming to the Great Lakes region for the state titles, which will be the only event she is competing in for 2012.
“It is one of my favourite areas in Australia, the waves are always good. To have the waves all to yourself in such a pristine environment, just sharing with a few other surfers is something I’m really looking forward to,” Beachley said.
Having competed professionally since the age of 16, Beachley is well aware of the importance of state titles, regarding her own triumph in 1988 as the catalyst for her wildly successful career.
“Claiming this (state) title back in 1988 was the foundation for my professional surfing career. I got a lot of confidence from winning the regional titles and then the NSW titles. It was hugely important for me and still is to competitors today.”
Beside the traditional short board division, the event will also feature two specialty divisions; the Single Fin and Alaia disciplines. Both divisions have undergone a recent revival and will see retro designs, many of them homemade, grace the beaches and are sure to interest keen students of the sport.
The event is presented by Mobys Beachside Retreat which will host a VB barbecue dinner for competitors and families on Friday night with highlights from last year’s event playing alongside a nostalgic surf film in a true celebration of surfing. The event will be fully mobile with Boomerang Beach, Blueys Beach, Bulls Paddock and Elizabeth Beach as venue options.