The Volkswagen NSW Surfmasters Titles got off to a flying start yesterday, Thursday, June 10, with four new State champions crowned after a long day of surfing in playful two-foot surf.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Perennial Surfmasters standout Rod Baldwin, Copacabana added another title to his mantlepiece, taking out the over-60 men's division.
As a fresh entrant into the age division, Baldwin showed he would remain a threat in the division in the coming years as he notched up a massive 18.09 two-wave total to claim the win ahead of Bronte's Bill Morris.
Michael Hoysted, Fern Bay managed to steal Baldwin's hopes of a second 2021 event title as he posted a decent 5.7 wave score in the final 30 seconds of the over-55 men's final for an array of searing turns.
The last-minute heroics saw Hoysted leap-frog Baldwin and earn the top spot on the dais.
Belinda Koorey, Manly Vale nabbed herself a victory over multiple NSW and Australian Champion, Sandra English in the over-50 women's division.
Koorey shone in the dual heats and in turn cemented herself a spot in the upcoming Australian Surf Championships.
Glenn Sharrock, Caves Beach performed one of the first upsets of the event, taking an over-65 final ahead of multiple NSW Titleholder Neil Cameron, Byron Bay who finished in the runner-up position for the 2021 event.
The prominent four-day event will see more than 150 competitors - aged 35 and above - battle it out in an attempt to secure an NSW shortboard title and a spot in the national titles at the 2021 Australian Surf Championships.
A range of former World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour surfers and Australian Champions will compete in the event including Shane Wehner, Broulee, Rod Baldwin, Copacabana and Mel Bartz, Pacific Palms.
This is the 10th successive year the NSW Surfmasters Titles presented by Moby's Beachside Retreat has been held in the Great Lakes region.
Results:
Over 50 women
- Belinda Koorey (Manly Vale)
- Sandra English (Budgewoi)
Over 65 men
- Glenn Sharrock (Caves Beach)
- Neil Cameron (Byron Bay)
- Graham Shearer (Byron Bay)
- Jonathon Lavers (Cronulla)
Over 60 men
- Rob Baldwin (Copacabana)
- Bill Morris (Bronte)
- Gary Hughes (Boomerang Beach)
- Nick Pearson (Byron Bay)
Over 55 men
- Michael Hoysted (Fern Bay)
- Rob Baldwin (Copacabana)
- Luke Mullins (Wyee Point)
- Charlie O'Sullivan (Woolgoolga)