ON Saturday 1 and Sunday, February 2, Phillip Island Boardriders Club (PIBC) delivered their annual two-day Longboard competition the Cat Bay Classic, which was also broadcast online in a free webcast.
The comp consisted of 55 competitors of PIBC members and non-members, of 11 heats of five people heats, of three rounds over two days, of all ages and genders surfing together. Each surfer’s best two waves from each of their three heats were calculated to a grand total.
Within the winners were four divisions of Open Men's, Open Women's, 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 comp 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 comp for the third and final round.
Sunday’s final two heats ended in delaying then being called off due lightening (then thunderstorm and hail storm) following Surfing Australia rulebook for lightening safety.
The 10 competitors who missed out surfing their last round, were 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 from Flynn’s car park 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, and to 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 Men’s
1st Thomas Fahey
2nd Simon Dunn
3rd Nathan Rivalland
Open Women’s
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
