Today we completed the 2024 Volkswagen NSW Port Stephens Surf Master’s State Titles after five outstanding days of competition here at Birubi Beach.
The conditions challenged some athletes throughout the week, starting off early with some swell and slowly getting slower and smaller until finals day. In the end it was patience and wave selection that gave those finalists the edge over others.
The Surf Masters is such a special event. We saw so much emotion and passion throughout competition and awards, even some tears were shed!
A magical moment in particular was local surfer’s Dean Shaw (O60 Men’s) and Mitchell Dawkings (O45 and O40 Men’s) who both came away with gold in their respected divisions and pumped each other up heat by heat as they cheered one another on until the end and celebrated together.
“Me and Mitch have just won two state titles, bringing it home for Port Stephens. We’re both just over the moon to win here at home. I haven’t had a win for about 13 years and this one’s more special than ever,” shared Dean.
“I’ve been doing this since i was about twelve,” added Mitchell after his second win.
“I think the ocean has got all the answers to life. It’s my happy place. It’s where I turn off. Can’t have my phone on me or nothing! I just love it. I don’t think I’ve had a bad surf in years, I paddle out and I just enjoy every moment of it.”
As for the Women’s side of the draw, Susan Levett was the oldest competitor with the youngest heart. Despite the fact that she was the only O60’s female competitor to sign up, meaning she automatically took home the crown, she paddled out with the O50’s and secured a second spot closely behind Belinda Koorey.
“I drove to Port Stephens by myself from North Steyne just to compete here at the State Titles,” said Sue. “I try to surf as much as I can, I find it keeps me young and I love it!”
It was at the presentation where we saw real emotion from some of the men, proving to us the power and priority of an event such as Surf Masters. O55 Men’s champion Glen Valaire dedicated his win to a few of his mates who are no longer with us. But wrapping that up quick by finishing off his speech with a laugh in saying “It’s always amazing to win any title. And as you get older you appreciate them more because you don’t know whether you’re going to be around for the next one.”
Results
O35 Men’s Final
1st – Christo Hall
2nd – Paul Snow
3rd – Luke Hazelgrove
4th – Declan Lee Smith
O35 Women’s Final
1st – Talina Wilson
2nd – Catherine Craig
3rd – Belinda Koorey
4th – Audrey Hills
O40 Men’s Final
1st – Mitchell Dawkings
2nd – Paul Snow
3rd – Christo Hall
4th – Shane Conwell
O45 Men’s Final
1st – Mitchell Dawkings
2nd – Paul Snow
3rd – Jeremy Cohen
4th – Paul O’Connor
O50 Men’s Final
1st – Ricky Marshall
2nd – Jay McKenzie
3rd – Dale Thomas
4th – Scott Schindler
O55 Men’s Final
1st – Glen Valaire
2nd – Michael Callender
3rd – John Mccorquodale
4th – Ged Cook
O60 Men’s Final
1st – Dean Shaw
2nd – Ged Cook
3rd – Rod Baldwin
4th – Andrew Johnson
O50/O60 Women’s Final
1st – Belinda Koorey
2nd – Susan Levett
3rd – Fiona Bamberry
4th – Greta Francis
5th – Tash Gee
O65 Men’s Final
1st – Paul Lupton
2nd – Brenton Schuet
For full results and scores, please see here
Tomorrow kicks off the start of the 2024 Volkswagen NSW Port Stephens Long Boarder State Titles. Be sure to come down and check out the action, competition will wrap up on Monday 3rd June.
Thanks to our event supporters; Volkswagen, Coward Punch, Club Med, Port Stephens Council and Surfing NSW
Australian Surf Championships ALLOCATIONS:
Over 35 Men (8 spots)
Over 35 Women (4 spots)
Over 40 Men (8 spots)
Over 45 Men (8 spots)
Over 50 Men (8 spots)
Over 50 Women (2 spots)
Over 55 Men (4 spots)
Over 60 Men (4 spots)
Over 60 Women (1 spot)
* Please Note: Allocations are subject to change at Surfing Australia Discretion.
Email: events@surfingnsw.com.au
