COOLUM CLASSIC 2012 No2.
The Beach Retreat Coolum Junior Surf Classic ran last weekend at Tickle Park in Coolum. Over 70 junior surfers battled in out throughout the weekend in a variety of conditions. The first rounds held on Saturday went forward in reasonable 4 to 6 foot surf, but with the wind coming almost straight east condition were reasonably messy. Rain bouts through the course of the day made it even more challenging. The comp was actually finished early on Satyurday due to one shocher of a storm. After all the dust cleared and every junior surfer had hightailed it to the Noosa Points, the weather improved and contest officials were wondering if it was the right call. With torrential rain on Saturday Night many feared a repeat of the conditions and indeed setting up on Sunday in the rain made the contest organizers a little skeptical. But the surf just kept getting cleaner and cleaner with more shape as the day went on, with the weather though not giving us the picture perfect days we usually enjoy this time of year on the Sunshine Coast cleared enough to allow for everyone there to enjoy the incredible surfing on display. With four Divisions a 16 and under girls, 18 and under boys,16 and under boys and the 14 and under boys running the surfing was of an incredible standard. The 16 and under girls surfed well all weekend with Noosa`s Sage Endersby emerging victorious ahead of Cayle Hemphill in 2nd, Isabella Nicols 3rd and Jaleesa Vincent finishing 4th. In the 14 boys division, the boys never took a backward step dealing with whatever the swell threw at them but in the end the title went south of the border with Lennox Heads`s Luke Condon claiming victory from Kane Landsberg in second with Nathan Stills and Zac Condon finishing third and fourth respectively. In the 16 boys division, the largest division of the weekend, the level of high performance surfing was phenomenal. The 16 boys final was amongst one the best heats ever competed at Coolum. The surfers went for broke and in a final that kept everyone guessing, Noosa grom Harry Bryant claimed the title , just piping Kai Hing at the last moment. Yanba`s James Young finished a strong third with the Gold Coast`s Korbin Hutchins in fouth. The Blue ribbon 18 boys final was another spectical of great surfing. Last Years runner up Coolum`s Kelly Norris went one better this year and claimed his victory with some inspired surfing. Noosa`s Hayden Cervi finished in the second spot with local boys Jimi Wallace and Jake Vincent finishing third and fourth respectively. All up the contest again was a raging success with everyone heading off with a smile and all contestants taking a prize home. Coolum Boardriders would like to thank The Beach Retreat Coolum for their help in making the event a reality again. All our other supporters Coolum Surf, Leaked Media, Coastalwatch, Surfing World, Hive Swimwear and Voice for their support and most of all the judges, officials and club members all get a great vote of thanks.
