CYCLONE Alfred made its presence felt at Rainbow Beach in Bonny Hills last weekend, where 85 of the state’s best young surfers tackled rough ocean conditions in the Reflections Cadet Cup.
One of the highlights was a workshop run by World Surf League contender Callum Robson.
Supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Robson attended the event to share tips with entrants ahead of their two days of competition.
Surfest director Warren Smith said despite the testing conditions, the standard of surfing was exceptional.
“Conditions were rough thanks to a strong north-east swell and north-east winds caused by tropical cyclone Alfred further north,” he said.
“[They] were really testing for all the age groups, particularly the young groups, [so] we had to reschedule events.
“The one thing that has impressed everyone, from our lifeguards to the judges, has been the level of surfing and the surf awareness that the kids have shown all the way through.
“The lifeguards have been so impressed with how they read the surf, their surf ability and their attitude.
“It gives you so much faith in what they are doing with their parents and clubs.”
The Cup is a 5500-rated event on Surfing Australia’s National calendar and is a partnership between Surfest and Crown Land holiday park managers, Reflections.
Launched in Bonny Hills last year, it has already expanded to include a second event in Tuncurry in December.
Age group winners were:
Under 12 Girls: Cleo Beesley (1st, Lennox Head), Sage White (2nd, Moonee Beach), Rosie Barron (3rd, Byron Bay), Hazel Ralston (4th, Woolgoolga)
Under 12 Boys: Maverick Magugan (1st, Avalon), Jaya Suhendra (2nd, Byron Bay), Jack Yarrow (3rd, Merewether), Lachlan Pye (4th, Dee Why)
Under 14 Girls: Lily White (1st, Blairgowrie), Coco Woolley (2nd, Boomerang Beach), Shelby O’Rourke (3rd, Woodburn), Charlee Walker (4th, Lennox Head)
Under 14 Boys: Harry Stephens (1st, Port Macquarie), Mack Ringis (2nd, Highfields), Tymen Spierings (3rd, North Bondi), Sonny Leong (4th, Cronulla)
Under 16 Girls: Mali Adam (1st, Byron Bay), Indi Vaughan (2nd, Bateau Bay), Jessie Silver (3rd, Fairlight), Lily McCaull (4th, Anna Bay)
Under 16 Boys: Joey Silk (1st, Crescent Head), Kade Kelly (2nd, Newcastle), Rio Luther Barr (3rd, Bundagen), Jacob Sheehan (4th, Bronte).
