Tobvy Martin splits his melon with delight after winning his second Aussie title for the day.
IT was ‘Super Saturday’ at the Australian Open Surfmasters Titles in Port Macquarie today, with nine national champions crowned on the final day of competition.
And, there was a smorgasbord of waves for the nation’s best amateur surfers, with a pulse in southerly swell creating highly contestable 4-6ft waves at North Haven.
It was a perfect conclusion to the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival, which got underway with the Australian Longboard Titles and then the Australian SUP Titles, before wrapping up with the day’s surfmasters finale in the best waves seen for the two-week long tournament.
Former World Tour competitor Toby Martin (Dee Why) netted the day’s biggest haul of Australian titles, netting a win in both the open men and over 35 men’s finals.
In a passion filled final, Martin scored an 8.35 on the final buzzer to beat Western Australian legend Dave Macaulay (Gracetown), who earlier in the day won the over 45 men’s final, 15.85 to 15.15.
On his stubby round tail Toby Martin was unstoppable at North Haven.
Martin now has a trifecta of Aussie titles, having won the over 28 men’s final in 2008.
“I’m a pretty emotional guy, but that tops that,” said Martin.
“The emotion to need a big score and come back and get it was awesome. I don’t know if it gets better than this. That open Australian title doesn’t come around that often.”
Finishing in third was Dale Lovelock (Maroochydore), with the Gold Coast’s Lawson Hayles (Currumbin) in fourth.
The open women’s final was a one sided affair with Sunshine Coast ace Dimity Stoyle (Buderim) posting a pair of 9’s (9.00 and 9.65) to beat Tiana McNeven (Tugun), Laura Macaulay (Gracetown) and Rachel Campbell.
The talented natural foot pulling off some big moves throughout the final day of competition to jag her second consecutive open women’s title.
Stanwell Park’s Rod Morgan bagged an Aussie title in the over 28 men’s division, taking down Col Bernasconi (Dee Why), Ricky Marshall (NSW) and Wayne Hudson (Port Macquarie) with a 16.75 total, which included a 9.00 and a 7.75.
The 35 men’s final was intensely contested with Martin edging multiple Australian champion Mark ‘Richo’ Richardson 17.00 to 15.10, despite Richardson top scoring in the heat with a 9.35.
Martin said that his over 35 men’s Australian Title will be a welcomed addition to his trophy collection.
“It will be a treasured possession in my trophy cabinet,” said Martin.
“But a credit to Mark Richardson who has put a lot of time and effort over the last two decades in competing. You know you’ve earned your win against Richo.”
In the over 35 women’s division, Manly’s Sue Levett took the title on an accumulation of scores over two separate finals, while Sunshine Coast surfer Katherine Schipper win in the over 28 women’s final.
NSW Team manager Scott Myers (Lake Munmorah) was impressive in the larger conditions, nailing a 8.25 and backed it up with a near perfect 9.65 to take line honours in the over 40 men’s final.
WA legend Macaulay was a little luckier in his over 45 men’s final, beating Vic Levett (NSW), Rowan Sapwell (VIC) and Dean Shaw (NSW) to win his first Aussie Title.
In the over 50 men’s final, Tasmanian surfer John Kohlemainen bagged the title.
Final Results:
Over 50 Men
1st John Kohlemainen (TAS)
2nd Neville Williams (QLD)
3rd Mark Gobe (NSW)
4th Roger Matthews (SA)
Over 45 Men:
1st Dave Macaulay (WA)
2nd Vic Levett (NSW)
3rd Rowan Sapwell (VIC)
4th Dean Shaw (NSW)
Over 40 Men:
1st Scott Myers (NSW)
2nd John Schmidenberg (NSW)
3rd Nick Ryan (QLD)
4th Ben Horvath (NSW)
Over 35 Women:
1st Sue Levett (NSW)
2nd Katherine Schipper (Qld)
3rd Cheryl Peat (SA)
4th YVONNE LAMONT (NSW)
Over 35 Men:
1st Toby Martin (NSW)
2nd Mark Richardson (QLD)
3rd Scott Myers (NSW)
4th Ricky Marshall (NSW)
Over 28 Women:
1st Katherine Schipper (QLD)
2nd Cheryl Peat (SA)
3rd Melissa Dart Harrison (VIC)
4th Dimitra Carter (WA)
Over 28 Men:
1st Rod Morgan (NSW)
2nd Col Bernasconi (NSW)
3rd Ricky Marshall (NSW)
4th Wayne Hudson (NSW)
Open Women:
1st Dimity Stoyle (Qld)
2nd Tiana McNeven (Qld)
3rd Laura Macaulay (WA)
4th Rachel Campbell
Open Men:
1st Toby Martin (NSW)
2nd Dave Macaulay (WA)
3rd Dale Lovelock (QLD)
4th Lawson Hayles (QLD
