Riptide Magazine

Here's the Lowdown on SIC 2010

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 June 2010 09:52

South African competitor Daniel Worsely has taken out the 2010 Brett Young Shark Island Trials at Cronulla Point under crisp winter skies.

Today's competition was tough from the first heat. When the international field shaped-up at first light the waves were small, but conditions where perfect and highly contestable. With small tricky conditions some of the closest heats in the events history were recorded with most place getters being only separated by less than point.

By the time the final hit the water spectators were treated to an intense battle for the top two places which would guarantee a position into the main event. Local 15-year-old ripper Sam Strachan had been on fire all competition, with solid support from the local crowd, Tom Smith had been dominating all day with clear heat wins, as was Shaun Peterson showing solid wave knowledge and landing big moves. South African Daniel Worsley was on fire all day and from the opening minutes of the final he shown everyone he was out for a win linking big moves on the outside and finishing strong on the inside section.

After 30 minutes of tough competition the results were read out and a new event winner was announced. Daniel Worsely and Sam Strachan had finished first and second and earned themselves a place in bodyboarding's biggest Australian event.

Dan said " It's awesome to be able to win this event and the biggest reward is being able to compete in the main event its just amazing".

Final Results 2010 Brett young Memorial Trials
1. Daniel Worsely
2. Sam Strachan
3. Shaun Petersen
4. Tom Smith


Following the successful trials event yesterday the crowd moved onto Emerald Surf City in the Cronulla mall for a huge promo. The crowd of was treated to a meet and greet with some of the sports best with loads of giveaways and prizes.

After over an hour of excited mayhem the crowd was shuffled next door to the 2230 Bar Cronulla for the exciting live heat draw where NRL superstar Eric Grothe Jr was on hand to draw out each competitors name heat by heat. Former Contest Director Mark Fordham officially handed over the reins to new head-honcho Alex Leon. This year the contest is reshaped into a one-day progression heats challenge, were by at the end of the days competition there will be a new champion crowned.

Due to a recent injury Michael Novy unable to compete in this years challenge and has been replaced by fellow Unite team rider Nick Ormerod. Also unable to make last nights briefing was Damian King due to the birth of his first child our congratulations go out to him and his wife.

Heat 1
Adam Smith
John Showell
Ryan Hardy
Andrew Lester

Heat 2
Jason Finlay
Dave Winchester
Jared Houston
Damian King

Heat 3
Sam Strachan
Shaun Pyne
Nick Ormerod
Brenden Newton

Heat 4
Glen Sullivan
Daniel Worsely
Ben Player
Thomas Robinson

All photos courtesy of philgallagher.com.

For more info on the 2010 Shark Island Challenge take a look at rider interviews and discussions on the Riptide Forum and fluidzone.com.