Challenging conditions fail to restrict performance at the ROLA Victorian SUP titles supported by VB.
 
(Pt. Danger, Vic Saturday 22nd January 2011): Less that ideal conditions on the Surfcoast have failed to limit performance at the inagural ROLA Victorian SUP titles at Pt. Danger, Torquay.
 
Event Director Max Wells, deemed the conditions unsuitable to run the Open Men?s Victorian Title and sent the competitors out in an ?expression session? style format. This format encourages the surfers to take risks and surf without restraint and this resulted in some excellent action for the crowd lining the Pt. Danger cliffs.
 
The open men?s expression session was a stellar affair, with several interstate competitors adding some incredible depth to the lineup. Barwon Head?s Matt Lumley outclassed field, showing why he is one of the most respected SUP surfers in Australia and took victory. Graeme Briggs performed solidly to finish second with Will Cousins, Cam Lamperd and Matt Tackle taking 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
 
Lumley was more than pleased with his win, "Today is the start of a bigger movement in Victorian surfing. It is great to see such a strong turn out of SUP surfers and I am really looking forward to seeing this event develop in years to come."

 
?I am still battling complications from my punctured lung and feel good to have taken victory today?.
 
Cameron Lamperd backed up his 4th position in the open men?s with an impressive win in the over 35 men expression session. Lamperd locked in a two-wave total of 15.5 (out of a possible 20) to defeat Graeme Briggs (11.5), Matt Martin (10.5) and Phil Trigger (9.0).
 
Emma Webb dominated the women?s division, locking in the two highest wave scores of the day, and 8.5 and 9.5 (out of a possible 10). Second was Linda Lim, with Alison Fullagar in 3rd and Kristiana Page finishing 4th.
 
Another large component of the day was the men's and women's distance races.  The intended course for the distance races was from Bells Beach to Cosy Corner, allowing the competitors a rare opportunity to travel across the scenic coastline. However the strong southerly wind forced event organizers to shift the race course to within the protected Cosy Corner bay.
 
The open men?s distance race came down to the wire. With Cam Hosking taking victory in a thrilling sprint finish up the beach from Dave Ham. Both men finishing in a time of 18 minutes 9 seconds.
 
Hosking, who rode a ?Naish 17?, thanked Dave for challenging him right up until the finish line. "We were side by side the whole race, I am definitely feeling exhausted now!".
 
Placing third in the men distance race was Rupert Lancashire (18.59) with Andrew Hocking (19.40) in fourth position.
 
Hosking continued his run of form also taking out the open mens race for boards under 12 feet 6 inches.  Hosking finished in a time of 21.11, ahead of Christian Parsons (22.52) who rode a 12'6 Fanatic.
 
Queensland's Alison Fullagar owned the womens distance race from start to finish, paddling her 'Glide 17' to a time of 15 minutes. Fullagar finished 106 seconds ahead of second placed Lisa Lim.
 
The Victorian SUP titles and team selection will now be run at a to be confirmed date in May 2011.
 
For more information and to register head to www.surfingvic.com.
 
The ROLA Victorian SUP Titles is supported by VB, Power Balance, Play It Safe By The Water, VicHealth and Surfing Victoria.

 

About ROLA:

Rola has been part of the Australian sporting and leisure landscape since the early 1980's, created out of need by a Sydney windsurfer to carry his equipment. Rola has evolved into one of Australia largest a roof rack and vehicle accessory equipment companies, with our brand being proudly exported to the US market.
 
At Rola, we believe a roof rack should be strong, light and good-looking, be available to fit the widest range of vehicles, and carry loads in an aerodynamic way.
 
Rola Roof Racks are custom designed for each individual vehicle. This guarantees a perfect fitment without compromise.
 
Rola continue to produce stylish roof racks, with low profile curved black crossbar to compliment your vehicles design.
 
Our sports accessories range is designed to carry bicycles, snow and water sport equipment and all sorts of gear with our range of pods, baskets and cargo securing straps.
 
www.surfingvictoria.com
www.rola.com.au