FERN Bay’s Michael Hoysted took top spot on the dais at the Volkswagen NSW Surfmasters Titles last weekend.

The Volkswagen NSW Surfmasters Titles presented by Moby’s Beachside Retreat got off to a flying start with four new state champions crowned after a long day of surfing in playful two-foot surf.

Perennial Surfmasters standout Rod Baldwin of Copacabana added another title to his mantlepiece, taking out the Over-60 Men’s division.

Port Stephens was well represented with Michael Hoysted of Fern Bay managing to steal Baldwin’s hopes of a second 2021 event title as he posted a decent 5.7 wave score in the final 30 seconds of the Over-55 Men’s final for an array of searing turns.

The last-minute heroics saw Hoysted leap-frog Baldwin and earn the top spot on the dais.

The event celebrates both men’s and women’s surfing.

Belinda Koorey of Manly Vale nabbed herself a victory over multiple time NSW and Australian Champion Sandra English in the Over-50 Women’s division.

Koorey shone in the dual heats and in turn cemented herself a spot in the upcoming Australian Surf Championships.

The prominent four-day event saw over 150 competitors aged 35 and above battle it out in an attempt to secure an NSW shortboard title and a spot in the national titles at the 2021 Australian Surf Championships.

A range of former World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour surfers and Australian Champions will compete in the event including Shane Wehner of Broulee, Rod Baldwin of Copacabana and Mel Bartz of Pacific Palms.

2021 is the tenth year running the NSW Surfmasters Titles, presented by Moby’s Beachside Retreat, has been held in the Great Lakes region.

Ethan Smith of Surfing NSW told News Of The Area, “Port Stephens has some great surfers in all age groups and we are looking forward to seeing more of their talented performances in the future.”

 

By Marian SAMPSON