SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND (Saturday 27 March 2021) – The 2021 Volkswagen Queensland Surf Festival longboard finals wrapped up today at Coolum Beach amongst a nice swell, plenty of sunshine and the long-awaited Volkswagen Kombi Rally.
Past world champion Josh Constable (PEREGIAN BEACH) was the star attraction, winning the Grand Masters Mens Over 40 Longboard with a huge heat score of 17.73, which included a single ride of 9.40.
Constable said he’s happy with the waves and how the longboard component of the Festival has turned out.
“It’s actually been a great couple of days. The waves have been really fun. The wind picked up a little in the afternoon but there’s still plenty of right-handers out there. It’s always nice competing at home.”
Constable said that after having some time away from competitive surfing, he’s glad to be back in a contest rash shirt.
“I’ve had a bit of time off over the past five-to-eight years. I’ve got back into it over the past couple of years by competing on the World Surf League tour, but it has obviously been affected by COVID-19. I’m still enjoying my surfing and don’t have any plans to stop.”
The Open Womens Final was won by Emily Lethbridge (NOOSA), who overcame strong competition from Kirra Molnar (NOOSA), Charlotte Lethbridge (NOOSA) and Emma Perrier (COOLANGATTA).
Emily Lethbridge said she was happy with her performance, and will now set her sights on other competitions coming up.
“I feel pretty happy with the heats I’ve surfed. The waves got tough towards the end of the day with the wind, but I feel I did pretty well considering.”
“After this competition I’ll probably start focusing on the Noosa Festival in a few weeks time, and then the Australian Titles. The world tour will probably start running again but I won’t be attending overseas. I’ll just keep on surfing here at home.”
The Open Mens Final was won by Bowie Pollard (CALOUNDRA) with a score of 12.64, narrowly overcoming runner-up Nicholas Brewer (NOOSA) on 12.50. Clinton Guest (BURLEIGH HEADS) placed third on 11.40 and Zac Brewer (NOOSA) finished fourth on 6.34.
Pollard said he was happy with his win, but knew that luck played a role in the result.
“It was pretty tough conditions. In the end it just come down to who got the luck of the waves. The wind and tide weren’t in our favour. But going forward, I’m planning to surf a few local competitions that will keep my surf froth going!”
Results
Open Womens Longboard
Emily Lethbridge (1ST)
Kirra Molnar (2ND)
Charlotte Lethbridge (3RD)
Emma Perrier (4TH)
Open Mens Longboard
Bowie Pollard (1ST)
Nicholas Brewer (2ND)
Clinton Guest (3RD)
Zac Brewer (4TH)
Under 18 Womens Longboard
Luca Doble (1ST)
Mia Waite (2ND)
Lucy Bowen (3RD)
Under 18 Mens Longboard
Landen Smales (1ST)
Kaiden Smales (2ND)
Dallas Rogers (3RD)
Jayben Poy (4TH)
Kai Calagari (5TH)
Grand Masters Men Over 40 Longboard
Josh Constable (1ST)
Ben Williams (2ND)
Nigel Canterbury (3RD)
David Babovic (4TH)
Grand Masters Women Over 40 Longboard
Kirsty Best (1ST)
Honey Bec (2ND)
Bluey Gilkes (3RD)
Kahunas Men Over 45 Longboard
Dean Bevan (1ST)
Damian Coulter (2ND)
Nigel Canterbury (3RD)
David Babovic (4TH)
Grand Kahunas Men Over 50 Longboard
Wally Allan (1ST)
Hayden Swan (2ND)
Robert Petric (3RD)
Nik Babovic (4TH)
Damian Coulter (5TH)
Grand Kahunas Women Over 50 Longboard
Kirsty Best (1ST)
Kate Dwyer (2ND)
Kate Perry (3RD)
Peppie Simpson (4TH)
Dukes Men Over 55 Longboard
Hayden Swan (1ST)
Wally Allan (2ND)
Nic Babovic (3RD)
Scott Ford (4TH)
Scott Nicholson (5TH)
Grand Dukes Men Over 60 Longboard
Paul Newman (1ST)
Greg Moir (2ND)
Albie Curtis (3RD)
Denis Carberry (4TH)
Scott Nicholson (5TH)
Grand Dukes Women Over 60 Longboard
Peppie Simpson (1ST)
Donna Ryder (2ND)
Deb Tinker (3RD)
Legends Men Over 65 Longboard
Albie Curtis (1ST)
Ian Borland (2ND)
Denis Carberry (3RD)
Over 70 Mens
Trevor Garbett (1ST)
