ON THE weekend, Phillip Island Boardriders Club (PIBC) held its annual two-day Longboard competition the Cat Bay Classic, which was broadcast through a free webcast.
The action included 55 competitors, both PIBC members and non-members battling it out over 11 five-person heats, with three rounds over the two days, all ages and genders surfing together.
Each surfer’s best two waves from each of their three heats were calculated to a grand total.
There were four divisions, being Open Mens, Open Womens, Mixed Masters 45+ and Mixed Juniors U18.
Saturday’s two rounds were held at Shelly’s surf break which brought clean waves and solid performances.
Saturday’s competitors then went back to the clubhouse for a raffle, food truck, PIBC bar and live music.
Sunday was changed up to Flynn’s right-hand point break, the first time the Cat Bay Classic has been held there, and added a new challenge to the competition for the third and final round.
Sunday’s final two heats were delayed then called off due to lightning, a thunderstorm and hail setting in, the precautions in line with the Surfing Australia rules for lightning safety.
The 10 competitors who missed out surfing their last round scored their best wave each from their previous two rounds instead.
The third round was also judged on paper and off Live Heats to keep final round results hidden, then entered into a spreadsheet and combined with Live Heats data to calculate overall scores.
Sunday’s awards presentation ended up back at the clubhouse when the thunderstorm hit and the heavens opened.
PIBC Longboard Coordinator Nala Taylor stated, “I would like to thank the sponsors who provided prizes, and photographers who provided professional surf photography throughout the weekend, as well as the small and mighty PIBC committee and team who delivered the Cat Bay Classic.”
RESULTS
Mixed Juniors U18
1st Ryan McKenzie, 2nd Savannah Bennett.
Mixed Masters 45+
1st Liam McCafferty, 2nd Brian Thompson, 3rd Mark Letts.
Open Mens
1st Thomas Fahey, 2nd Simon Dunn, 3rd Nathan Rivalland.
Open Womens
1st Ebony Maier, 2nd Jaz Helsinger, 3rd Jerrie Liberati.
AWARDS
Style + Steeze – Nicolas Perez
Elegance + Grace – Lucy Camenzuli
The Shuffle Award – Mark Letts
Cheetah Five Award – Jack Dell-Rennie
Thrash It Like It’s a Shortboard Award – Tate Russell
Logging Penguin – Jo O’Reilly Stubbs
Shortest Noseride – Nathan Rivalland
Best Classic Logger – Timmi Ungar
Best Wipeout – Nala Taylor
Biggest Frother – Randall Joseph
Best Nose Ride – Tom Fahey
Best Cutback – Mal Gregson