A few random thoughts re the contest.... Ben Apps absolutely shredded in the first round and IMO at that stage was going to win the contest.....there was a huge difference between the top guys and the rest of the field.....Andrew Cassidy was REALLY unlucky in his quarter, the "up after rule" is a really grey area....Beau Nixon did a great job to surf through the requalifiers and then claim second overall.....Keahi pulled a huge layback in his quarter that the commentator called a "cockroach", he was on his back with his legs in the air then emerged from the whitewater,paddle in hand, standing...amazing! Congratulations to Jackson and all the contestants for a great effort.
Victorian Emma Web Creates History in Australian SUP Titles at Port Macquarie
AUSTRALIAN surfing history was created at the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival in Port Macquarie today, with the first ever open women’s stand up paddleboard (SUP) champion crowned.
Town Beach provided the ideal arena for the maiden final, pumping out some of the best conditions seen for a final of a stand up paddleboarding event in Australia since the fledging sport boomed in the country.
In clean 3ft (1-metre) waves, Emma Web (Jan Juc) etched her name in the record books, netting a 15.50 two-wave combined total, which included a pair of 7.5’s, to beat Jenny Ryan (Qld), Davina Drinan (Mermaid Beach, Qld) and Sondra Purser (Merewether).
Web, who competed in the final on a borrowed board, looked in sync with the highly contestable conditions on offer, mixing some powerful backhand moves with a smooth flow to take the crown.
“It feels so good to be a part of SUP history,” said Web.
“All the girls were ripping in the final, so I feel privileged to come away with the crown.”
The second annual open men’s final was also decided, with former Australian Longboard Champion Jackson Close (Currumbin, Qld) edging out Tweed Head’s Beau Nixon, the Sunshine Coast’s Keahi De Aboitz (Noosa) and Coffs Harbour’s Sinclair Black in a high scoring final.
Close, who made the quarters of last week’s Australian Longboard Titles, got busy from the opening siren, nailing an 8.50 on his first ride, before backing it up with a 7.50 on his very next wave to setup the win.
Final scores: Close (16.00), Nixon (15.10), Aboitz (14.85) and Black (11.00).
“I felt I redeemed myself with my win today after a poor finish in the longboard division last week,” said Close.
“It was a great result. There were some fun waves and I’m really happy I came away with the title.”
Well done to em n jacko. It was good to see that the waves finally rose above two foot for the final. It went down to the wire. I was hurting watching it but stoked to see four good supers n all round good blokes having a dig during the final. Really good vibe event n no dramas besides the lack of waves. There's a few events coming up n hope to see the crew there. I was stoked to hear the majority of the shortboarders in the aus titles were amazed to see how good Sup has become. Have to settle for the saying " maybe next yr" haha.
<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<....LOL......(AUNT!!!!!!this must be read in your best german accent)
HOW FREAKING DARE YOU SIR DISHPAN
ATTACK ZE FELLOW STANDUP PADDLE P00FTERS
THEY ARE YOUNG IMPRESSIONABLE VULNERABLE AND SCARED OF PUTTING IT ON THA RAIL
AS A NEWLY FLEDGED AND RABBID DECIPLE OF "THA DISHPAN" I HEREBY SIGN MY ALLEGENCE TO NEVER USE MY RAIL EVER AGAIN
NEVER IN ZE POCKET
NEVER ON ZE SHOULDER
NEVER NEAR ZE LIP
NEVER TO DO A TURN AGAIN EVER IN MY LIFE
EVEN ON ZE FLATS
THUS THIS WILL EQUATE MY SCORES TO BE PERFECT 10 POINT RIDES RIDES
FOR EVER AND EVER AMEN
MAY THE DISHPAN ALWAYS BE WITH YOU
I KNOW NOSING!!!!!!!
I SEE NOSING!!!!!!!
ZE DOGMAN
(actual events maynot have happened)
ok so this is either ........
1. an in joke
2. too many beers
3. a result of something in the Port Macq pies
4. a combination of 1 - 3
Very funny.
well done to everyone! It was great to meet up with everyone and actually get some good waves in a comp! :) well done Emma on winning the first womens aussie title... it looks like we have now set the pace with a womens division being included now!
Hi all, just back from Maldives. Well done to all the competitors, especially young Beau - huge result!
Not surprised Jackson won after watching him at the Roar - congrats!
Well done to Emma from Vicco as well!
Go Emma,congrats to all the winners and well done to all the place getters.
another in joke 
maybe thats why you nsw got knocked out as you should have been hasseling the fark outta everyone to win not to sit around and drink tea and have a chat nar just joking !!!!!!
Appsy to funny sand your fins off thats classic
Kelly never got to be the best comp' surfer of all time by being the nicest comp' surfer of all time. I have competed in a lot of longboard comps and the nicest guy rarely wins - the best surfer sometimes wins - but the best competitor usually wins.
