Kingscliff turns on For Day 1 of Australian Longboard Surfing Open 

KINGSCLIFF, NSW/AUST (Wednesday, March 25, 2015) -Challenging surf conditions at the Australian Longboard Surfing Open (ALSO) in Round One, saw the top surfers having to apply their skills to get through to Day 2 of the competition which is on until Sunday 28 March, 2015.

Conditions were contestable with 1-2 foot waves and a wind effected north east onshore that brought a sea sawing battle between all contestants.  In every heat the wave selection was a priority, with the best waves seeing the competitors impressing the judges with their style and manoeuvres.

“It’s really tough, there are some pretty strong onshores. The bank seems like it is there and it’s shoulder high waves so it is definitely contestable,” said reigning World Champion Harley Ingleby.

By Friday, there will be a change for the better with 1.5 metre swell with offshore winds. Conditions will be ideal for this part of the coast, just in time for some dynamic action in the weekend finals.

In the Men’s Qualifying Series, Ingleby was too good for Coolaroy, NSW upcomer William Crowe. Harley said “Obviously getting through I’m pretty happy, Will Crowe is probably one of the strongest up and coming guys in the pro ranks in Australia right now, so I knew it was going to be a really hard heat.  I’m stoked to get through.”

In the best heat of the day, Sunshine Coast's, Nic Jones was knocked out by Edouard Delpero from France.  It was a very tight and competitive heat with both longboarding professionals performing exceptionally well but with a 50% progression division, one of these very talented surfers could not go all the way.

The women’s draw was just as exciting.  In a tight contest, World Champion, Chelsea Williams scored 12 against fellow local, Erin Dark who scored a 10.13. Williams said “Conditions were tricky, you have got to be the lucky one out there to pin the right wave.”

The following surfers will be advancing tomorrow:

Australian Longboard Surfing Open

Men’s Pro Division

Harley Ingleby (World Champion)
Shane Morton
Ruben Roxburgh
Jacob Evans
Taylor Jensen (US)
Kyle Teal
Dane Pioli
Edouordo Delpero

Round 3 Women’s Pro
Nava Young
Victoria Vergara
Lara Murphy
Chelsea Williams
Georgio Young
Catherine Hughes
Emma Webb
Karina Rozunko

Thursday will feature the continuing qualifying series for the Men’s and Women’s Pro Division, qualifying of the prestigious Noserider, Villa World Logger/Old Mal and Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club Retro.

The Longboard Surfing Festival of the Asia Pacific will also feature Barefoot Bowls at the Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club with tickets available at the registration tent, for a fun night out on Thursday, 5pm.

Fluro Friday will feature on Friday from 6:30am NSW time, promoting ONEWAVE,  a non-profit surf community raising awareness for being in a funk, anything from depression, anxiety and bipolar. They let people know they are not alone, encourages them to get into the ocean, surf it out and talk about it.  So where your brightest Fluro gear and come on down to the Lions Park, next to the Cudgen Surf Life-Saving Club for a free BBQ breakfast.

The Alive & Cooking Show featuring James Reeson will be recording a live cooking segment at the Kingscliff Beach Hotel, the event hub, at 10:30am on Friday.  Reeson will be available for interview and will provide plenty of photo opportunities throughout the segment.

The ALSO competition and Longboard Surfing Festival is a five-day lifestyle event, held in the untouched surfing location of Kingscliff.  Kingscliff is located on NSW’s beautiful Tweed Coast and is only 10 minutes south of Gold Coast Airport. Held on 25-29 March 2015, ALSO honours the history and laid-badck attitude of longboard surfing and features Fluro Friday, live music, Miss Beach Girl model competition, surf vehicle display, surf films, yoga, art and lifestyle stalls.

For more information contact Sean McKeown, Australian Longboard Surfing Open on 0414 569 208 or Tammy Papalia, Media Manager, 0412 828 368 or email tammy@eventaddict.com.au.

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