Dave Delroy-Carr : photo Surfing WA / Woolacott Images
Surfing WA State Open Series
Presented by SunSmart
Surfing Western Australia
Margaret River, Western Australia
6 - 7 February 2010
Delroy-Carr Demolishes Opening State Surfing Event For 2010
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 February, 2010 : - - State series surfing made its long awaited return for 2010, with an entertaining first round of competition winding up today at Big Rock in Gracetown. The typically surf rich coastline of Margaret River couldn’t deliver its usual pumping summer time swell and the event was forced to go mobile in search of quality surf.
The small waves on offer over the weekend meant the event had to shift from its prime location at Gas Bay, to the ever reliable breaks at the back of Gracetown. The swell magnet that is Big Rock provided consistent surf in the 2 – 3 feet (1.0 metre) range, and it was local surfers that revelled in the conditions.
Competitors travelled from as far as north as Geraldton and as far south as Denmark to compete in the opening round of the series. With the opportunity to represent Western Australia at the Australian Surfmasters Titles later on this year in New South Wales, the level of surfing across the weekend was exceptional, with none better than Margaret River local David Delroy-Carr.
Delroy-Carr, has made a name for himself as a big wave charger, but made the transition to small waves look too easy with some precise and high performance surfing to claim a win in the Open Men’s final. Surfing with supreme confidence Delroy-Carr won all his heats leading into the final and looked to be the surfer to beat from the start.
“I much prefer big, barreling waves, so today was a bit outside my comfort zone. I knew what I had to do and I just stuck to my guns.” Said Delroy-Carr. His efforts in the final were extra special, given that he defeated former world # 3 and Gracetown local Dave Macaulay in a nail biting finish.
Felicity Palmateer : photo Surfing WA / Woolacott Images
“Macca beat me in the same event this time last year, so I wasn’t to keen on being bridesmaid again in 2010. He’s such a good surfer and competitor, especially on any wave in Gracetown, so I knew it was going to be tight.” Continued Delroy-Carr.
It was Delroy-Carr’s day however, posting some impressive scores in the final, including an 8.25 ride from a possible 10 which was enough to defeat Dave Macaulay in second place, with Ryan Wordsworth (Dunsborough) finishing in third ahead of Sam Tucker (Yallingup) in forth.
The Open Women’s division was another to boast an extremely high standard of surfing. 2010 has brought with it a changing of the guard, with a fresh faced group of juniors making their presence felt in the Open Series.
Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys) has come off some awesome results during the past few months, including an ASP Pro Junior win in Victoria, a quarter final finish in the ASP World Juniors, and not to mention being a successful part of Team Australia’s win at the recent ISA World Junior Titles in New Zealand. The constantly smiling goofy footer put together some of the best individual wave scores and highest combined heat totals for any competitor across the weekend. Her recent success showed in the water with a new confidence and maturity in her surfing.
Palmateer was too good for her rivals and posted a convincing victory ahead of a group nipping at her heals including Mikalea Greene (Yallingup) who finished in second, Laura Macaulay (Gracetown) in third, with Jazmine Fawcett (Geraldton) rounding out the top four positions.
“Its just great to be home, I’ve been travelling heaps the past few months and its great to get a win here today, Im stoked.” Said Palmateer, who is off to a flying start and will be looking to defend her 2009 Open Women State Title.
The most exciting final of the day went to the U21 Pro Junior division, with all four finalists at one stage holding the lead. In his first ever State Open Series final, McLean showed why he’s one of the new up and comers making moves from the Yallingup area. Along with Sam Tucker (Yallingup) the two surfers added some razor sharp surfing and blistering aerial manoeuvers to an already exciting exchange.
McLean stepped it up when in counted posting some impressive scores which included a 7.50m and back up 7.00 ride to finish with a combined total of 14.50 from a possible twenty. McLean disposed of a more fancied opponent Jake Fawcett (Geraldton) for the win, with Sam Tucker capping an remarkable weekend making two final and Lachlan Mazzuchelli (Mandurah) finishing fourth.
Other winners from the weekend included Brent Moss (Secret Harbour) in the Legends over 50’s division, Dave Macaulay (Gracetown) was unstoppable in the Grand Masters over 45’s division taking an easy win. Brad Cowan (Margaret River) used local knowledge to win the Senior Masters over 40’s division, Mark Clift (Trigg) was victorious in the Masters over 35’s division, and Ryan Wordsworth made easy work of the Senior Men’s over 28’s division.
The Surfing WA State Open Series now moves north to Geraldton on the 15th and 16th of May, with the final event of the series held at Rottnest Island during June. Surfing WA State Open Series presented by Sunsmart and proudly supported by Wahoo Premium Ale & Rottnest Expresss
FINAL RESULTS
Open Men :
1. Dave Delroy-Carr (Margaret River), 2. Dave Macaulay (Gracetown), 3. Ryan Wordsworth (Dunsborough), 4. Sam Tucker
Open Women :
1Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys), 2. Mikalea Greene (Yallingup), 3. Laura Macaulay (Gracetown), 4. Jazmine Fawcett
Pro Junior :
1. Brody McLean (Yallingup), 2. Jake Fawcett (Geraldton), 3. Sam Tucker (Yallingup), 4. Lachlan Mazzuchelli
Over 28 Men :
1. Ryan Wordsworth (Dunsborough), 2. Mark Clift (Trigg), 3. Luke Hayter (Scarborough), 4. Jai Macrides (Marmion).
Over 35 Men :
1. Mark Clift (Trigg), 2. Luke Sutherland (Yallingup), 3. Brad Cowan (Margaret River), 4. Craig Tuesley (Geraldton)
Over 40 Men :
1. Brad Cowan (Margaret River), 2. Tony Thomas (Margaret River) , 3. Craig Tuesley (Geraldton), 4. Warrick Palmateer
Over 45 Men :
1Dave Macaulay (Gracetown), 2. Tony Thomas (Margaret River), 3. Brad Cowan (Margaret River), 4. Brent Moss
Over 50 Men :
1. Brent Moss (Secret Harbour), 2. Steve Williams (Karrinyup), 3. Frank Hayter (Margaret River), 4. James Clark
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