AIRTIGHT: AB Jordan Dank gets some air preparing to defend his title at this year’s tri-service surfing championships.

In thumping conditions, the Navy Surfriders Association hit the water for the first contest of the year at Werri beach on the NSW south coast earlier this month.

In a 1.5 metre swell, conditions were cracking for the surfers and made for entertaining viewing. With the tide on the rise, the first heat hit the water and quickly found the waves up-tempo.

The sandbanks were set up for a southerly swell and not at all conducive to the building nor-easter.

AB Daniel Williamson was straight up on his game and put together a number of high scoring waves to secure a convincing win from AB Matt Richards, SMN Luke Heckenberg and SMN Peter O’Sullivan.

Heat two had SMN Daniel McLean concerned with the make up of his heat and it wasn’t long before AB Jordan Danks put his mark on the heat, keeping the judges and spectators well entertained.

AB Tom Leworthy also enjoyed the challenges the ocean was presenting, and with some calculated rides, was able to take second place from McLean and SMN Sean Bekkers.

The longboarders took their turn in the churning waters next and were quickly out the back searching for that friendly wave.

It wasn’t to be. WO Smiley McPherson took a righthander, much to the pleasure of the spectators, and quickly ejected as the wave commenced dredging off the bank.

CMDR Pete Tedman repeated the manoeuvre, while LEUT Andrew Dunlop chose the slightly tidier lefts putting up a challenge to the other riders. Self-preservation was paramount for the longboarders and their equipment.

In Round two the 3rd and 4ths were first in the water.

It was an exciting heat on two fronts. The surfing was entertaining with all riders showing good skill levels, but it was Daniel McLean who caused a commotion when he popped his legrope plug and had a neat swim ashore with five minutes to go.

Tom Leworthy quickly had him back in the water on the proviso “don’t come back unless you snap it”.

Right on the - mission accomplished, with a very neat snap of the board in the middle.

Luckily McLean had done enough to impress the judges and won the heat from Peter O’Sullivan and Sean Bekkers.

The 1st/2nds heat was an exciting battle with both Jordan Danks and Daniel Williamson upping the ante, laying down some exciting rides, domineering the degrading wave conditions.

Tom Leworthy was now on a loner board and just could not find his rhythm, while Matt Richards was unable to capitalise with his wave selection.

Williamson was pipped at the post by an inform Dank.

The longboarders again hit the water and now more aware of the dredging conditions, tentatively hooked into a few lefthanders. It was hard work on the inside and they all struggled to get two waves, let alone the three normally required.

Smiley McPherson had the goods to take the heat from Andrew Dunlop.

Pete Tedman took third, only recently getting back into the surf after having his board up in the rafters for a number of years.

Results were: Shortboard 1st ABATA Jordan Danks 2nd ABATA Daniel Williamson 3rd ABATA Tom Leworthy Longboard 1st WOMT Smiley Mcpherson 2nd LEUT Andrew Dunlop 3rd CMDR Pete Tedman The club’s next contest is March 2 at Eloura Beach, Cronulla and is the last trials event before the tri-service championships at Bendelong Beach, March 30 - April 1.

Navy needs 16 shortboarders and eight longboarders. If you are interested contact WOMT McPherson onboard HMAS Newcastle.

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