Australian Open Surfmasters Titles
Surfing New South Wales
Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW
14 – 30 August 2010
Lighthouse Beach Fires to Life for Day Four of Australian Open Surfmasters Titles
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 August, 2010 : – – Lighthouse Beach fired to life for day four of the Australian Open Surfmasters Titles, with barrelling 3-4 (1-1.2-metre) beach break waves on offer at Port Macquarie today. And, the country’s best amateur surfers did their best to carve it up, with excellent scores being posted across multiple divisions.
Currumbin carver Mark ‘Richo’ Richardson didn’t let the supreme waves go to waste, jagging multiple high-scoring barrels in his round two over 35 men’s heat to easily progress through to semi-final contention.
After more than two decades carving up the Australian surfing landscape, Currumbin stalwart Richardson has decided to finally call it a day.
Part of the Gold Coast surfing fabric, Richo has made the tough call to retire from open competition at the end of this year in order to spend more time with his family.
But the 38-year old looked as young as ever in his round two heat, finishing with a two-wave total of 16.75 (including a 7.75 and a 9.00) to beat Bill Harrsion (NSW), Paul Buratowski (QLD) and Owen Crockett (QLD).
Former World Tour competitor Toby Martin (Dee Why) was in top form on the other end of the over 35 men’s draw, disposing of Scott Myers (NSW), Dave Matthews (VIC) and Con Paris (NSW) with a 12.25 total, which included a strong 8.25 ride. The blue ribbon open men’s division hit the water during the afternoon session, with 6 heats completed.
Also completed today were the 45 men requal heats, along with round two of the over 28 men. Contest organisers will reconvene at 6.30am tomorrow for the next call.
The Running Schedule for both the Australian Longboard Titles and Australian Open Surfmasters will be released on a day-by-day basis as swell and weather conditions will affect scheduling. An event hotline will be operating for the event which will feature a recorded message updated at 6:45am each morning with the confirmed daily schedule and contest venue. Please call the Event Hotline on 0458 247 212 after 6:45am each day of event for Event Hotline message.
The Running Schedule for both the Australian Longboard Titles and Australian Open Surfmasters will be released on a day-by-day basis as swell and weather conditions will affect scheduling. An event hotline will be operating for the event which will feature a recorded message updated at 6:45am each morning with the confirmed daily schedule and contest venue. Please call the Event Hotline on 0458 247 212 after 6:45am each day of event for Event Hotline message.
The 2010 Country Energy Australian Surf Festival is proudly supported by Events NSW, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, The Mercure Centro Hotel, Australian Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, the Glasshouse Arts, Conference and Entertainment Centre.
Suncorp, Saltwater Wine Surf Centres, Australian Sports Commission, Coastalwatch, NBN Television, Port Macquarie News, Star FM, 2MC FM, Surfing World Magazine, Pacific Longboarder Magazine, Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW.
Entertainment Schedule:
Surf Art / Reg Mombassa: Selected Works / Thursday 29 – Sunday 26 September 2010 / 10am – 5pm Tues – Fri & 10am – 4pm Sat & Sun / Free
Surf Film #2 / Tim Bonython’s Sessions 2 – Slab Hunter and MayDayz – 2 massive days at Teahupo’o / Thursday 26th August 2010 / 7:30pm** / Tickets $12.50*
Surf Music #2 / King Tide + Mojo Bluesmen / Friday 27th August 2010 / 7:45pm* / Tickets $17.50*