SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND (Thursday 25 March 2021) – The 2021 Volkswagen Queensland Surf Festival again scored plenty of sunshine and waves as the Bodyboarders took to the water.
Coolum Beach set the scene with clean waves and offshore winds. The swell had dropped slightly from yesterday, but there was still plenty of two-to-three foot waves for Queensland’s best bodyboarding talent.
The standout competitor was Luke Jackson (DECEPTION BAY) who placed first in two divisions: the Open Mens Bodyboard and the Masters Over 35 Men Bodyboard.
Jackson said he was thrilled that the Bodyboarding titles were able to score such favourable conditions, especially considering the weather earlier in the week.
“The conditions were great up until mid-afternoon when the wind turned onshore, but it was still fun and contestable. Early on in the day the surf was pretty much near perfect. I’m just happy to be up here competing.”
Jackson’s introduction to surfing was through family, but he soon decided that bodyboarding was the sport for him.
“I started on a surfboard, as I wanted to copy my two older brothers. But as I grew up I discovered a bodyboard and wanted to be different from them. I’ve loved it ever since.”
Jackson was also pleased with his results compared to last year, where he missed out on a win.
“Last year I made the same finals as I did today, but I placed third and fourth. It worked out well today. It was all about reading the conditions as they changed through the day. I don’t think I’m doing too bad for a forty-four year old.”
FULL RESULTS
Open Women Bodyboard
Britt Ladley (1ST)
Open Men Bodyboard
Luke Jackson (1ST)
Tobey Ring (2ND)
Grant Nutter (3RD)
Dale Akehurst (4TH)
Open Men Drop Knee
Daniel Leyshon (1ST)
Rory Frecklington (2ND)
Mitch Curtin (3RD)
Under 14 Grommet Open
Zayde Taylor (1ST)
Cadet Under 16 Open Bodyboard
Jai Taylor (1ST)
Cooper Stewart (2ND)
Xavier Marie (3RD)
Harry McNally (4TH)
Under 18 Bodyboard
Tobey Ring (1ST)
Masters Over 35 Men Bodyboard
Luke Jackson (1ST)
Grant Nutter (2ND)
Daniel Leyshon (3RD)
Justin Pumford (4TH)
Mitch Curtin (5TH)
Kahunas Over 45 Men Bodyboard
Shane McNally (1ST)
Warwick Leese (2ND)
Justin Punford (3RD)
