Byron Bay event to decide Suzuki Pro Longboard Champ
Josh Constable leads the the series by ony 35 points : photo Island Style Promotions
After five months and thousands of kilometres of touring, the final round of the Suzuki Pro 05 is set for Byron Bay this weekend. Beginning in February at Coffs Harbour the tour has embraced 5 contests in three states, in a variety of surf conditions ranging from 1ft to 6ft, clean and sunny to downright horrible wet, windy and miserable. But one thing the competitors have all agreed on they have had a lot of fun on tour and they anticipate that Byron Bay final will continue to be a lot of fun, as well as delivering good surf and sunshine.
Going into the final leg of the Suzuki Pro Longboard Tour, only 35 points separate series leader Josh Constable from 2nd placed Harley Ingleby. Constable the current Australian Longboard Champion and fiancée Anna Shisler are expecting their first child, so Constable is looking to cap off a memorable year which has included victories in several major contests, including twice on the Suzuki Pro Longboard Tour.
Another win this weekend would ensure the Noosa based surfer wins the inaugural series and a brand new Suzuki Grand Vitara. Earlier this week Constable had this to say, “I’ve had a good series and I hope my fine run continues. I’m stoked with the way my boards are going. I think it is going to be difficult to win this weekend but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Now placed 2nd on the point score after leading the series for the first 3 rounds, Harley Ingleby is hopping the final leg of the Suzuki Pro 05 will be contested in the bigger beach break type of waves similar to what he surfs around his home break of Emerald Beach. Ingleby commented “It’s not going to be easy competing against Josh this weekend. We are good friends. I am hoping for a good result this weekend so I guess we will have to see what happens.”
In 3rd place and with a mathematical possibility of still winning the tour is Currumbin’s Jackson Close. Needing to place 1st or 2nd this weekend and needing both Constable and Ingleby to be eliminated in the quarter finals, 20yr old Close is looking for a head high wave to perform in. Close had this to say “I’m still in with a chance and that is a good feeling. Who knows with a little bit of luck I can still win the series.”
A number of local surfers are expected to standout this weekend including Evan’s Head Ruben Roxburgh, currently 10th on tour, Byron Bay’s Steve Mills currently in 15th position. Other surfers who are both capable of causing some upsets against their more fancied competitors include Michael Black who recently won the Byron Bay Malibu Classic and Lennox Head surfer Luke Glassington.
With surf conditions expected to be around 1 – 1 ½ metres and clean this weekend, the competitors are looking forward to competing in some quality surf.
Tour Director Sean McKeown is confident that the final round of the tour will produce the most progressive style of surfing seen on a longboard in a contest in Australia. He commented “All tour we have seen exciting surfing with competitors completing new moves like air drop floaters, high speed 360’s and the crucifix as well as completing the more traditional drop knee turns and hang tens manoeuvres. If the surf is pumping I expect to see all these moves and more.”
As well as the Suzuki Pro division, which has a Suzuki Grand Vitara being given away this weekend and $5,000 in cash, there is the World Surfaris/Sa’Moana Resort 9ft amateurs, the Land Mermaids Women, the Dick Smith Surf Design O35’s, the Ebanc Trade O45’s, the U18’s, and a nose riding division.
Source: Global Surf News
>> SURF NEWS INDEX <<
|
