Team NSW Takes Home 27 Australian Titles

Published on 23/08/2022

NSW athletes have taken home for more than half of the titles following the culmination of the Australian Surf Championships at Port Macquarie – a stunning representation of the talent and depth across the state.

The team of 142 athletes represented NSW in shortboard, longboard, bodyboard and para surfing and in total won 27 from 48 Australian Titles over the 17-day event.

Team Manager, Michael Crisp (Lennox Head) said the event was a huge success for NSW and was proud of the individual and team efforts.

“To win this many titles across all areas and divisions is incredible,” said Crisp.

“We had such a strong team this year and it’s been so inspiring and great to be part of. The Australian Surf Championships haven’t been held since 2019 but I think that the absence has made the team stronger and more grateful for the opportunity to represent their state.

“There were some truly amazing performances and sportsmanship and I feel honoured to have been part of the team and their success in 2022.”

The event was held between the beautiful beaches of Bonny Hills, North Haven and Town Beach, with athletes all commenting on how wave-rich the region is.

“I love this area and I think we’ve been blessed to be able to compete in the Australian Championships here this year,” said Over 40’s Shortboard Champion, Paul Snow.

“It’s one of the best areas for surfing competition on our coastline with so many high-performance waves combined with breaks for any ability, with accommodation for any kind of trip.”

“Port Macquarie is the mecca for bodyboarding and the waves are world-class. They are perfect for the Australian Titles,” Bodyboard Head Judge, Craig Hadden added.

Port Macquarie Deputy Mayor, Adam Roberts attended the presentation of the Masters Longboard Titles on Friday. He said the Australian Surf Championships provided a huge boost for the local economy and he was proud that the area could provide for the athletes, their families and event crew, as well as showcase the world-class beaches and surf breaks.

“It’s such a fantastic festival of surfing and it’s so good to see Port Macquarie back on the surfing map. We’ve got a slice of paradise and a great community,” said Roberts.

“It’s great to see everyone here enjoying our world-class waves and we welcome surfing events in any capacity. The locals love the surfing customs and community and we love having everyone in town.

“All the event locations were going off over the two week period with solid waves and everyone was pumped to have options to pick the very best location as conditions changed.”

Roberts also said it was fantastic to see NSW have great results, including a number of local surfers.

“It was a real pleasure to get down to the presentation and see the Blues take out so many titles on home turf too,” he said.

For the state’s south coast, two new champions have returned home hoping to inspire the region. Matt Hoar (Dalmeny) and Freya Prumm (Merimbula) both echoed each other about the impact the wins will have on their towns and the surf community to inspire people in the sport.

“This means so much because it shows the kids back home and the people from the south coast that it’s possible to be a good surfer and be competitive at any level,” said Hoar, who owns the Dalmeny Surf Academy.

Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said he couldn’t be more stoked to see NSW have such success.

“We pride ourselves on having a stellar and talented lineup of surfers and bodyboarders and our results at this event have proven that,” said Madden.

“Not only do we have some of the best top-level elites, the Masters competitors from the Over 35’s right through to the Over 70’s are also at the top of their game in their divisions, as are the para surfers who are leading the way in adaptive surfing and gaining incredible momentum.”

Port Macquarie Deputy Mayor, Adam Roberts (pictured above) attended the presentation of the Masters Longboard Titles on Friday. He said the Australian Surf Championships provided a huge boost for the local economy and he was proud that the area could provide for the athletes, their families and event crew, as well as showcase the world-class beaches and surf breaks.