STAND UP PADDLE SURFING TO BE INCLUDED IN SURFING AUSTRALIA’S AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL TITLES AT PORT MACQUARIE

Australian Titles will this year be decided for the first time in the rapidly growing and now well established discipline of Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Surfing.

Surfing Australia announced the inclusion of the Open SUP division into the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival to be run at Port Macquarie during August.

Globally, Stand Up Paddle Surfing has grown in popularity incredibly over the past three years with an abundance of surfers, longboard and shortboard surfers, including a stand up paddleboard in their essential quivers and many dedicating themselves 100% to this discipline.

“The quality of Stand Up Paddle surfers emerging throughout Australia and the world is exciting and there’s many past and present champions of the sport of surfing now very competent and devoted Stand Up Paddle surfers” said Surfing Australia Chief Executive Officer Andrew Stark.

“Take the two finalists at the recent Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, Joel Parkinson and Adam Robertson, both often seen in the line up riding waves on Stand Up Paddleboards, and then look at past champions like Luke Egan, Tom Carroll and Simon Anderson, all keen riders” added Stark.

“Stand Up Paddle Surfing has established itself in our sport and we are delighted to incorporate it into our Australian Surfmasters this year – the inaugural champion will take a special place in surfing’s history!”

Judging criteria for the Stand Up Paddle surfers have been formulated by the International Surfing Association with an emphasis on use of paddle in performance surfing and radical manoeuvres. The criteria will shortly be available through via www.surfingaustralia.com

Twelve surfers will make up the division this year, three from host state NSW, two from Qld, Vic, SA and WA and one from Tasmania.

The Country Energy Australian Surfing Festival, which incorporates the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles along with the Australian Surfmasters will run from August 16 through to August 29 as a mobile event through the surf rich region surrounding Port Macquarie.

Alexandra Winter Classic

It was small! and held at the Maroochydore River Mouth just south of Pin cushion Island.

The finalist were:

Dane Wilson - Red - Laguna Bay

Keahi de Aboitiz - Blue - Laguna Bay

Damian Coltard - White - 

Woogie Marsh - Yellow - Laguna Bay

Having 3 Noosa Heads Beach Boy members in the final was a great achievement.  

Final results

1st Keahi de Aboitiz

2nd Woogie Marsh

3rd Dane Wilson

4th Damian Coltard

Photos & Video to follow

Outrigger Marathon Nationals at Mooloolaba

This weekend the Mooloolaba Outrigger Canoe Club, is hosting the National Titles for the first time since 1999.  It has won the right to host the event for the next three years.

About 900 paddlers from more than 150 clubs across Australia will come to the Coast for the event, which has competitors aged from 12 to 71 competing.

"Outrigging is a very social sport and it's also very challenging," Lisa said. "My paddling career has been longer than my swimming career.  It's addictive."

President of the Mooloolaba OCC, said the opportunity to host the Nationals three consecutive years was very exciting.

"We've organised it so it bookends the Mooloolaba triathlon. It will really help boost local business."

"I've got my fingers crossed the Weather will clear by the weekend, but at the moment everything is going ahead as scheduled."

Malfunction SUP Surfing

The Malfunction SUP Surfing was Sponsored by Ron House & Green Line.

Results from the event:

James 'Billy' Watson 1st

Woody Jack 2nd 

Woogie Marsh 3rd

Ray Greaves 4th

Nathan Myers 5th

Noel Graham 6th

Semi Final Draw

Billy before his semi Final heat

Woogie Before his Semi Final Heat

Final Places

(L - R)Dave Mc Carthy from Green line, Ray Graves 4th, Nathan Myers 5th, Noel Graham 6th, Woogie Marsh 3rd, Woody Jack 2nd, Billy Watson 1st, Ron House From Ron House, Presenter

NFoS SUP Final Photos

Back Beach NFoS SUP Final place getters

L-R Woogie Marsh 5th, James Billy Watson 2nd, Dane Wilson 1st, Keahi de Aboitiz 3rd, Matt Lumley 4th.

Woogie & Dane heading out for the final 

Woogie trying to get the most out of the wave

Dane

Keahi

Team Rider Dane Wilson Wins Back Beach SUP NFoS 2009

Dane Wilson recently relocated to the Sunshine Coast and he has looked right at home at the GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing.  Dane made the most of the some tiny waves in the Back beach Noosa Stand Up paddle Pro final at First Point, recording 16.25 points with his best two rides to beat Burleigh Heads' James Billy Watson (15.35)

Dane has been living at Peregian Beach for the past six months, after moving North from Cronulla, and said it was the shift that inspired him to take up the Stand up Paddle side of Surfing.  "Since I've been here on the Sunshine Coast, I have really dedicated myself to Stand Up Paddling," the former pro long boarder said.  "It's such a perfect location to be a Stand up Paddling surfer and I'm now right into it.  To win this event is unbelievable. The whole festival is held in the highest regard worldwide and for Stand up Paddling in Australia, this is the biggest and best event.  It's a special feeling to have won."

Filling out the placing in the final were Keahi de Aboitiz (Qld), Matt Lumley (Vic) Woogie Marsh (QLD) & Noel Graham (NSW).

Final Results

1. Dane Wilson (QLD) Board G & S Paddle Kia Kaha

2. Billy Watson (QLD) Board Honolua Paddle C4

3. Keahi de Aboitiz (QLD) Board Laguna Bay Paddle Kia Kaha

4. Matt Lumley (VIC) Board PSH Paddle Kialoa

5. Woogie Marsh (QLD) Board Laguna Bay Paddle Kia Kaha

6. Noel Graham (NSW) Board Naish

SUP with Toddlers

Chris de Aboitiz as locals know, is the talented Stand Up Paddler Surf Guy that paddles with his dog Lani.  Chris along with another talented local Woogie introduced SUP Surfing to Noosa 4 years ago and adding to his SUP Session: Chris has now teamed up with Jodie Marsh to create sessions specifically tailored for Women & Toddlers.

As most mothers with toddlers know, exercising is difficult the best of times. Stand Up Paddler Surfing not only keeps mum in shape but the toddlers love being on the Noosa River.  Jodie offers Sessions for the Noosa Heads Lions Park Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. These sessions include a total body workout on the board including stretching, exercise and yoga to tone mothers post baby body.  Jodie will also focus on teaching both the mothers and toddlers water awareness, tidal reading and how to determine wind direction - all essential information for the Stand up Paddler.

Jodie Marsh is a sport passionate mum who has been working in the sports performance & training field for the last 10 years.  Jodie has a passion for Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Active Kids.  Jodie holds a Degree in Sports & Recreation , a Diploma in Applied Sports Studies both gained at AUT in NZ and a Certificate in Sports & Leisure gained at BOP Polytechnic NZ.

Jodie's Focus will be on stroke correction, circuit training on the Stand Up Paddle Boards, Nutrition & Performance Feed back, all which is needed for setting up and refining high performance training goals.

With two Kids of her own she can understand the limited time parents have to pursue their own sporting goals - with these new classes she hopes to help mothers achieve a balance in fitness and lifestyle, while the kids are having fun and learning water awareness.