Crystal Cylinders
The 2017 Hurley Pro at Trestles saw local pro surfers Matt Wilkinson and Stuart Kennedy bow out early.
Lennox Head’s Kennedy lost to Adrian Buchan in a clash of futuristic versus traditional surfing in round two.
Although it appeared that Kennedy was on another level with his speed and high-risk aerial surfing, the judges deemed otherwise and he finished the event with an equal 25th place.
The event had plenty of World Title implications and sub-plots as wildcards at the event produced jaw-dropping upsets against title-chasing surfers.
The third-ranked surfer on the Championship Tour, Byron Bay’s Matt Wilkinson, was dispatched in his round two elimination heat by Qualifying Series surfer, Evan Geiselman.
As usual, small conditions at Lowers played their part. The predominantly northwest sea breeze produces a nearly ideal wind for the lefts. That was a key element that the goofyfooted Geiselman did not overlook.
While Wilkinson stuck to his game plan and focused on the rights, Geiselman went left. With time ticking away and Wilko sitting on a pair of fives, Geiselman stretched his sizable lead with a big frontside air 360, stabbed the face and spun around cleanly.
After the loss Wilko was left shaking his head, wondering if he’d made a tactical mistake.
‘I hope I can get on a little roll on the next leg of the tour after my defeat early in this competition. I will be heading home to Byron Bay for a short break and then I will be travelling to France early to prepare for the next event,’ he said.
Well raised
The Le-Ba boardriders fundraiser held at Club Lennox was a huge success and raised more than $3500 to assist local surfers get to the Aussie titles.
Le-Ba would like to thank the local businesses and the community for their support and a huge thanks to James Wood for hosting the auction.
Four local Lennox Head junior surfers who have qualified for the Australian Surfing Titles have benefited from the fundraising afternoon. They are Nyxie Ryan, Jai Glinderman, Jack O’Brien and Kobi Curtis.
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