Victorian SUP Titles 2012

The 2012 Surfing Victoria Stand Up Paddle State Titles were held on the 26th February based at Point Danger Torquay.

It was an early start for those in the Marathon Race, paddling 20km from Ocean Grove to Torquay in stiff cross/offshore winds.

Marathon 20km Race

Men:
1^st - Cam Hosking
2^nd - Heath Meldrum,
3^rd - Luke French,


The Surfing which took place at Point Danger was at a high level right from the start.  The strong offshore winds proved trying at times (especially for keeping the BBQ alight) but by the time the finals came around it had eased to nicely groom the 2-3' waves.

 Surfing Victoria did a great job, keeping the whole event ticking along with clock like precision to make sure the three disciplines got adequate time and resources to be successful.

Phill once again caused some lens envy.

Ant Stephens ripping it up in the over 40's

John Takle hacking his way to victory in the over 40's

Like father, like son, Matt Takle also shredding to take out the open mens.

The commentator said at one stage, "I think Graham Briggs has surfed every heat"

Will Cousins having a trip to the nose in the open mens final.

Graham Briggs (aka Sparks) was throwing water around that would have made a ye olde firemans bucket line proud.

Matt Takle showing why he took out the title.

Matt Lumley pushed the younger Takle all the way to take out second place in the open mens.

Sparks pushed his competitors both young and 'old' to make the open and over 40's final..

More senior Takle attack!

More of the Sparkle show.

Young gun Kristi Page took out the open womens this year.

Final results:

Surfing
Over 40’s Men:
1^st -  John Takle
2^nd - Graeme Briggs c
3^rd - Courtney Dalton

 Open Mens:

1^st - Matt Takle
2^nd - Matthew Lumley
3^rd - Graeme Briggs

Open Womens:
1^{st -}  Kristi Page
2^nd – Lucy Bell


Paul Harrington and Max Wells kept an eye on the conditions to plan a great course for the technical race.

It was spectacular to watch a whole field of 12'6" boards all scrambling to catch a wave across the point.

It was an exciting race to the finish, with the winner coming back from technical problems mid race to sweep past the field and take victory.

Technical Race

Mens:

1^st - Heath Meldrum

2^nd – Luke French

3^rd – Zeb Walsh

Women:

Jean Ringrose Coyne

Thanks to Surfing Vic for putting on a great event.  The Sponsors: VB, Strapper Surf and Core Board Sports and supporters Kahuna Street SUP and Farm Foods.

A big thanks to Torquay SLSC for the water support and for looking after one of our own when he needed it.

Also cheers to the guys from SUP Vic and some of our own Bass SUP members for advising to Surfing Vic on different aspects of the event.