TONIC 2013/2014 Summer Edition SUMMER 13/14 | Page 12

TONIC | NEWS 1 2 SUP SURF THE GOLD COAST’S JACKSON CLOSE AND SHAKIRA WESTDORP HAVE WON THE INAUGURAL SURFING TITLES AT THE BE THE INFLUENCE AUSTRALIAN SUP AND PADDLEBOARD TITLES AT CURRUMBIN BEACH. In tiny and testing conditions created by a strong north-easterly wind, Close picked off the two best waves in the final to score 18.00 to finish ahead of Justin Holland (13.25, NSW), Rick Jakovich (WA, 13.10) and Geoff Breen (QLD, 2.55). 3 Alley Currumbin NOV 2013 QLD, 7-10 st, Gold Coa BE THE INFLUENCE AUSTRALIAN SUP & PADDLEBOARD TITLES In the women’s final in even more difficult conditions, Queensland’s Shakira Westdorp scored 10.50 to defend her Australian title and defeat Hannah Finlay-Jones (NSW, 9.00), Terrene Black (NSW, 7.50) and Ke’ale Dorries (QLD, 5.90). For Close, it was his second Australian SUP title and his sixth national title in all after winning a series of Australian longboard titles. Close was trailing Holland for most of the heat but after scoring a 9.50 midway through the final took the lead with four minutes remaining with an 8.50. “It was very hard work out there,” Close said. “The first couple of waves were really testing and small so I waited and ended up getting a couple of waste-high sets and they were pr ؘX