Masters of the surf

Seven time World Champion Layne Beachley and former WCT competitor Jake Spooner will lead a strong TravelSIM Team Australia to the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship starting this week in Ecuador.

To be held at Montanita from 6 to 14 April, the championships attract 150 surfers 35 years and older from more than 20 nations competing in the Masters (Over 35), Grand Masters (Over 40), Kahuna (Over 45) and Grand Kahuna (Over 50) divisions.

TravelSIM Team Australia finished third at the ISA Masters in Nicaragua last year behind champions Hawaii and the USA.

Beachley is hoping to retake the Masters title she won in El Salvador in 2011.

‘The ISA Masters are another chance for me to represent my country and after missing the event last year I want to have another crack at getting the title back I won in 2011,’ says Layne. ‘The great thing about this event is you go to places you have never been to before and represent Australia in a team environment, which is unique in a sport like surfing. I love the support and camaraderie among the competitors.’

Beachley will take on her former WCT rival and defending ISA Masters champion Rochelle Ballard, who is representing Hawaii, as is 2000 ASP World Champion Sunny Garcia in the Grand Masters and Masters and former WCT competitor Kalani Robb in the Masters. Three time World Champion Tom Curren is expected to compete for the USA in the Over 45 division.

Surfing Australia would like to recognise the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), TravelSIM and Suncorp for their continuing support of the Team Australia Program.

TravelSIM Team Australia

Men’s Masters (Over 35)

Jake Spooner (Bulli, NSW)

Matt Clark (Wurtulla, QLD)

Men’s Grand Masters (Over 40)

Glen Pringle (Cronulla, NSW)

Scott Schindler (Sawtell, NSW)

Men’s Kahunas (Over 45)

Terry Landsberg (Currimundi, QLD)

Glen Valaire (Swansea, NSW)

Men’s Grand Kahunas (Over 50)

Charlie O’Sullivan (Woolgoolga, NSW)

Women’s Masters (Over 35)

Layne Beachley (Freshwater, NSW)