Sunday 10th May, 2009: IT was the Mason show once more on the Gold Coast today, as surfing young gun Sarah Mason (Tugun) dominated the Lizzy Surf Slam.
The 14-year-old whiz kid picked up from where she left off yesterday, beating defending champion Dimity Stoyle (Buderim) to win the open women’s final.
The win guaranteeing her a shot at the world’s top surfers in the trials of next year’s Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast.
“I can’t wait to surf against three other surfers in perfect Snapper again,” said Mason, who fell short of qualifying for the main event of this year’s Roxy Pro after finishing third in the trials in February.
“It meant a lot to me to get as far as I did this year, but I’m really keen to go better in next year’s trials.”
Mason, the younger sister of professional surfer Airini Mason, came out firing in the 20-minute decider, netting a 5.83 and 7.00 for a 12.83 two-wave total to upstage Stoyle, who managed a 9.64 total, with Cabarita’s Brittani Nicholl (7.17) in third and Tugun’s Wini Paul (6.70) in fourth.
Mason then backed it up in the U/16’s, trumping fellow Gold Coasters Amiya and Brodie Doyle (Coolangatta), and Eden Putland (Currumbin), in another entertaining finale.
The Kiwi import has come to the attention of the broader surfing community in recent times and is well on the way to following in the footsteps of her older sister.
Stoyle, who competed in this year’s Roxy Pro trials alongside Mason, received some consolation by claiming the U/21 division title.
The second annual event was an outstanding success, helped by an improved standard of competition, good waves and a friendly vibe.
A slight pulse in swell throughout the morning allowed contest organisers to wrap up the day’s finals in highly-contestable conditions, with competitors making the most of blustery metre-plus waves at Nobbys Beach.
But it was Alexandra Headland’s Sharon Jackson, plus border crossers Codie Klein (Kingscliff) and Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads), who laid claim to top honours across the remaining four age divisions.
The event featured U/21, U/18, U/16, U/14, seniors (O/28), masters (O/35) and open women divisions.
The Lizzy Surf Slam is a fully mobile event on the Gold Coast and was designed to be a great, fun weekend with a real social atmosphere.
For all event updates please check out www.surfingqueensland.com.au or call the Surfing Queensland Event Hotline on (07) 3030 6388.
Established in 1991, Lizzy is a global surfwear brand that produces and distributes quality surfwear, accessories and footwear in 27 countries.
Results:
U/14s:
1st Alyssa Lock
2nd Laura Poncini
3rd Olivia Wheeler
4th Jamie McNeven
U/16s:
1st Sarah Mason
2nd Amiya Doyle
3rd Eden Putland
4th Brodie Doyle
Senior Women:
1st Sharon Jackson
2nd Kathryn Schipper
3rd Lisa Blackmore
Masters Women:
1st Sharon Jackson
2nd Pauline Pullman
U/18s:
1st Codie Klein
2nd Naomi Stevic
3rd Spohie Callister
4th Lyla Wright
Open women:
1st Sarah Mason
2nd Dimity Stoyle
3rd Brittani Nichol
4th Wini Paul
U/21s:
1st Dimity Stoyle
2nd Brittani Nichol
3rd Tiana McNeven
4th Courtney Bell
