The 43rd annual BK Surf Classic was held at Broken Head over the long weekend in surf ranging from clean, small, well-shaped waves to challenging closeouts.
Nyxie Ryan from Lennox Head was the standout surfer of the whole event, winning both the Open Women’s Division and the U/16 Girls final, taking home $1,300 in prize money.
Byron Bay’s Soli Bailey was in fine form but was pipped at the post by Burleigh Heads surfer Thomas Woods in the Open Men’s division.
Local former pro surfer and co-event director Danny Wills impressed with some amazing tube-riding skills and finished runner-up in the over 40s.
Byron Bay Boardriders president Neil ‘Freddo’ Cameron had a busy three days including duties as event director and a win in the Over-60s division beating 1978 World Pro champion Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholemew.
Byron surfers James Dodds and John Mashford finished in third and fourth.
Neil’s son Bryce won the Over-30s with Lennox Head’s Hayden Brain runner-up.
Keke Brain was runner-up in the U/8 mixed girls/boys parent assist with Byron Bay’s Leihani Zoric in third.
Byron local Touma Cameron added to his extensive trophy collection with a win in the 16-year boys and another win in the 14-year boys, while his brother Marki was runner-up in the 12-year boys.
Lennox Head’s Antony Bates won the Over-50s with Lennox Head’s Noel Graham and Max Perrot finishing third and fourth respectively.
Lennox Head’s Jai Glinderman was third in the 14-year boys with Duke Wrencher from Byron in fourth.
The Paxton family from Byron Bay received the Spirit of the Ben King Classic Award and Henley Smith was presented with the Spirit of the Byron Bay Boardriders Club Award by Danny Wills.