Hall wins on world surfing tour

UMINA’S Glenn “Micro” Hall racked up his first win on the world surfing tour on Sunday, comfortably taking out the ASP 4-star Burton Toyota Pro at Merewether.

The 28-year-old, who competes under an Irish passport for ease of competing in European surfing competitions, defeated South African Brandon Jackson in a superb final performance to claim the lion’s share of the $US85,000 prize pool.

After a week of mostly ordinary conditions affected by onshore winds and average surf, Merewether turned it on for the fans with blue skies and offshore winds offering clean 1-1.5 metre waves.

Hall never looked in doubt once he’d etched a 9.17 on the final’s tally-sheet and his total of 16.67 ensured his South African opponent was always going to be struggling to better him, and couldn’t, mustering only a 9.43.

Hall contested his first world tour event at Newcastle 14 years ago when he was just a grommet with a dream. On Sunday the dream was realised.

“I won $300 here when I was 14 and convinced Mum to let me use it to enter the QS the next week,” he said.

“I stayed at Warren Smith’s house with Rhys and a heap of other groms.

“Newcastle has great memories for me.

“I’ve never really been on the podium all that much and it’s a real honour to be here when I think about all the great surfers that have won this competition.

“Mark Richards has always been a hero to me and to have him here today when I won is just terrific.”

Hall had to leave Newcastle almost immediately to get to Sydney airport and catch an evening flight to Perth to line up in the Margaret River Drug Aware Pro.