AS a festival that started on the swell-deprived, choppy waves of Noosa’s Main Beach, the conclusion of the 2015 Cricks Noosa Festival of Surfing could not have been more contrasting.
From the outset of Saturday’s finals day, the elements conspired to create a scene more perfect than could possibly be contrived.
The flurry of finals commenced with the remaining semi and repechage rounds.
US visitor Hudson Ritchie surfed a stellar heat to join Ben Considine (VIC) and the outstanding heat winner Joel Skinner (NSW) in the final of the Pacific Longboarder Junior Men’s divison, while in the LED Design Women’s under-18, Tully White (NSW) and Tori Farmer (QLD) faced an insurmountable challenge from the States.
Fellow Hawaiians Mason Schremmer and the always excellent Kirra Seale, and Californian Lola Mignot absolutely charging in the almost perfect waves.
The semis of the Golden Breed Noserider were nothing short of staggering. Current world champion set the benchmark with over 65 seconds of tip time clocked from his two highest scoring waves, Troy Mothershead a little under eight seconds behind to take the first two finals slots.
But round two saw the sublime become ridiculous, as Christian Wach, four-time division winner, defied physics, falling just three seconds short of the magic century with 96.41 seconds of nose time.
Age meant nothing across the next collection of divisions. Under the analytical and admiring eye of the great Joel Tudor, the Lemon Wax under-15 boys finalists surfed beyond their handful of years, Tom Morat showing great promise and improvement, Angus O’Malley really mastering the logging style, but Kai Annetts showing unparalleled competency to take a fantastic win.
The LED Design under-18 ladies surfed spectacularly for the all-American final, Honolua Blomfield unlucky to not find a high score, Kirra Seale again surfing brilliantly to claim third, while Lola Mignot and Rachael Tilly were simply untouchable. In the end, Tilly had the edge, Mignot relinquishing for a very honourable second.
Dave Wilson piloted his big, red battleship to an impressive win in the Salty Dog Men’s 65 and Over, certainly no slouch on the freight train peelers of a dropping tide, while Ballina’s Eric Walker wrapped up his years in the Surf Life Saving Sunscreen 60-plus division with his sixth consecutive win.
Mike Pimm brought his excellent skills back to the festival in 2015 with a strong win in the Cricks Noosa 55-plus, Scott Ford thrilled to take out the In Noosa 50-plus and a stoked Ricky Judalena gaining the upper hand over the genial Michael Takayama in the Kennards Hire 40-plus.
After a year off, Peppie Simpson returned to once more claim victory in the Baby on Board Women’s Open. Although Kiwi, Sasha Brownlie, racked up some brilliant rides ahead of Noosa local, Marnie Morat, Simpson proved once more exactly why she is a multiple champion here at Noosa.
The team from McTavish Surfboards saw Ray Gleave back at Noosa like he’d never left, still with his textbook signature drop-knee and clocking big scores.
Matt Chojnacki did likewise, but despite some healthy scores from team-mates Pat Saunders and Roisin Carolan, the Foam Symmetry team, led by Californian Devon Howard and Noosa’s own Matt Cuddihy, produced consistent scores for the title in the Classic Malibu Teams Challenge.
Another all-American final saw Karina Rozunko dethrone last year’s victor, Honolua Blomfield, in the Maui Jim Women’s Pro. Fickle sets of waves perhaps didn’t provide the opportunities in Honolua’s favour, but there is no denying that Karina deserved the win after some exceptional surfing.
The final event of the day, and indeed, of the 2015 Cricks Noosa Festival, was the final of the Vans Duct Tape Invitational.
When Joel Tudor invited Troy Mothershead to this year’s Duct Tape event, Joel later admitted on stage to the festival crowd, he had received a swathe of negativity.
But, as he went on to say, with Mothershead’s successful and resounding win in the Duct Tape grand final, defeating multiple winner, Alex Knost, Tyler Warren and Ryan Burch, all the naysayers could kiss his … well, we’re sure we don’t need to elaborate.
A wonderful gathering filled the XXXX Summer Beach Bar for the presentations, all finalists given comendations and rapturous applause for their success over the 8 Days of Pure Stoke.
Hawaiians Michael and Kaimana Takayama were the lucky recipients of the competitor prize draw of a glorious, luxurious week for two in the Maldives, courtesy of World Surfaris and Malaysia Airlines and none could be more worthy. The Noosa Festival learned of the sad passing of Michael’s father just yesterday morning and it was with our deepest condolences that we were humbled and honoured to present the father and son with their prize.
Until next year, thanks to all who made the 2015 Cricks Noosa Festival of Surfing possible.
