Kong Roars! Queensland’s victorious 2009 team left to right – Chris Friend, Julian Wilson, Noah Lane,
Gary ‘Kong’ Elkerton (coach), Nick Vasicek & Jack Freestone : photo Surfing Queensland
Oakley State Teams Challenge
Surfing Queensland
Gold Coast, Queensland
31 October - 1 November 2009
Queensland wins Surfing’s State-of-Origin - The Oakley State Teams Challenge!
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 1 November, 2009 : - - Gold Coast, Queensland -- QUEENSLAND has claimed a hat-trick of series victories in surfing’s version of State-of-Origin, after securing today’s Oakley State Teams Challenge for the third consecutive year (2007, 2008 & 2009).
The Blues were left feeling red-faced after being obliterated by their northern foes in the most dominant Oakley State Teams Challenge victory in recent years. The collective 323.88 to 299.83 score- line guarantees Queensland home-turf advantage in next year’s competition and further increases their overall series victories against New South Wales 3-1.
The Gold Coast didn’t quite deliver the sunshine and blue skies of day-one; however that didn’t stop 10 of Australia’s best surfers lighting-up the 0.5-1m beach break conditions served up at Surfers Paradise.
New South Wales sent a scare through the Queensland camp after an early victory to Byron Bay duo Danny Wills and Garret Parkes in the tandem division (two competitors riding a wave simultaneously) and talk of a record comeback was rife on the beach.
The atmosphere in the New South Wales tent reached fever pitch when Matt Bemrose (Curl Curl, NSW) continued his solid day-one form, combining with teammate Davey Cathels (Narrabeen, NSW) to register a heat winning 14.4 out of a possible 20 in their tandem showdown against Queenslanders Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta, QLD) and Chris Friend (Alex Headland, QLD).
However, the Queensland side then steadied themselves as Friend and Vasicek redeemed their earlier defeat, successively disposing of Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW) and Garret Parkes (Byron Bay) in their respective singles matchups.
Friend’s performance in the singles division sparked an onslaught of Queensland wins with excellent performances following from Vasicek, Jack Freestone (Coolangatta, QLD) and Julian Wilson (Coolum, QLD) and from then on, the boys from north of the border never looked like loosing.
Inspirational Queensland coach Gary ‘Kong’ Elkerton, labelled the win his proudest Oakley State Teams Challenge victory to date. “The effort of the five young Queenslanders during this year’s Oakley State Teams Challenge confirms that these boys are some of the most talented surfers in Australia,” said the two-time Triple Crown Champion. “I can’t wait to get the team together, bring Richie (Lovett) and all the New South Wales boys up to Queensland and do it all again next year,” he said.
Running from October 31 to November 1 on the Gold Coast, the Oakley State Teams Challenge features five superstar surfers from each state respectively and this year’s roster boasts a who’s who of Australian surfing.
New South Wales Team:
Opting for a combination of youth and experience, the New South Wales team includes:
Danny Wills (Byron Bay) –Renowned former World Championship Tour competitor and multiple WCT event winner
Matt Bemrose (Curl Curl) – Former Open Men’s Australian Champion & World Qualifying Series veteran
Dean Bowen (Gerroa), Davey Cathels (Narrabeen) & Garret Parkes (Byron Bay)
New South Wales’ Top Ranked ASP Australasia Pro Junior Surfers ( Men’s #2, #3 and #5 respectively)
Coach: Richie Lovett – Former World Championship Tour competitor
Queensland Team:
The young-guns of Queensland out to prove that what they lack in age, they more than make up for in ability
The Queensland team includes:
Julian Wilson (Coolum) – No introduction needed here…Sunshine Coast wonder-kid with the world at his feet. Wilson defeated Nine-time World Champion Kelly Slater at this year’s Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast) and is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in international surfing
Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta) – Reigning Queensland Championship Circuit Champion
Jack Freestone (Coolangatta) – Current Queensland U/18 Boys State Champion
Chris Friend (Alex Headland) & Noah Lane (Rainbow Beach)
Queensland’s Top Ranked ASP Australasia Pro Junior Surfers (Men’s #4 and #7 respectively)
Coach: Gary ‘Kong’ Elkerton – Two-time World Championship Tour Runner-up
The Oakley State Teams Challenge is proudly supported by Waves Magazine and Surfing Queensland. Stay tuned to surfingqueensland.com for news, photos and updates relating to the event. The Oakley State Teams Challenge commences October 31 and concludes November 1, 2009.
www.oakley.com.au
www.surfingqueensland.com
Previous Report:
Oakley State Teams Challenge Day One goes off BIG.
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