“Ibis and myself have been so close so many
times over the years and we are pretty amped
to bring it home to NEB one day so although
I am stoked, it would have been amazing to
win it. At the end of the day though we really
are there to pay respect to the Point itself, to
pay respect to the Burleigh crew for their epic
event and to have as much fun as we can any success is an added bonus.”
Any other surfers or groms out there you
think are surfing well on the singles, and
worthy of a mention?
“Oh man, have you seen that young grom
from Burleigh, I think his name is Maddie Job?
I have been watching him over the last few
years at the point and he really has something
special. I was watching the groms final before
ours and was stoked not be surfing against
them.
“That kid who won has freakish style, it
reminded me of watching Rasta surf on a
nipper board when we were in Southport
nippers together a 1000 years ago. I still
think though that the best guys at the point,
on singles and normal boards are the older
guys like Billy, Polsy, Turtle, Lewis and of
course young Ibis. Louie Hynd is another
young North End member, also has a
freakish style that looks beautiful on a
single fin.”
WINNER THOMAS WOODS Burleigh Boardriders
Another win mate, you must be stoked
yeah?
“I’m frothing ... I guess I was just lucky to get
that one at the start, with the barrel and the
turn.”
And what was the view like inside that
keg?
“It was fun, it’s pretty hard to actually get
barrelled on the single fin because you can’t
really pump, they’re a bit slow, but I made it,
and I was happy. I think Damo actually went
the one before and he had the inside so ... I
don’t think it was as good. I mean I probably
would have went that wave too, but I guess
that was the difference. I’m sure it was really
close.
“I was just lucky I had that one, and I had
a back up - it wasn’t the best but It was a
decent wave. He had two good ones, so I
guess it was always going to be real close,
but I’m happy to have come out on top.”
Next year? Are you keen to come back and
defend your title against these legends?
“Yeah for sure, if I’m around. Hopefully
there’s no contests, no QSs on at the same
time, yeah I love doing this comp it’s so fun.
d his
Damien Healy an
gesture
prophetic