Swan dominates windswept event

WHILE the conditions last weekend for the Maili Masters at Snapper Rocks weren't ideal for a surf competition, at least there was no crowd.

The masters longboarders were the only ones out at the usually crowded surf break in the small, windblown conditions.

Contest organiser Sean McKeown said if competitors didn't get the result they wanted it could be blamed on the conditions. But over-45s winner and reigning Australian champion for that age group, Hayden Swan, didn't have to make excuses.

He somehow pulled off a nine-point ride, which played a massive part in securing his win in the tightly contested division.

“That was an unreal score in those conditions,” McKeown said.

The event played out in a round-robin format over two days, with each competitor having three surfs.

“It was just more about getting together and having a surf. The format kept everyone around having fun,” McKeown said.

Surfers came from as far afield as South Australia and Victoria to compete.

Kingscliff competitors Tony Abood (over-50s) and Neville Smith (over-60s) came away with wins, as did Murwillumbah surfer Peter Becker (over-55s).

McKeown thanked Maili Penthouses for its support of the event.