Capes chargers sizzle at Australian Longboard Championships

Dunsborough longboard aficionado Paul Burke led the honours for Capes surfers at last week’s Australian Longboard Titles in NSW, claiming the national prize for the Over-45s men.

South West surfers contributed their efforts to “team WA” for a final score which ranked the State fourth in the overall competition.

The longboard competition, which is the longest-running event in Surfing Australia’s calendar, drew crowds to Cabarita Beach on the Tweed Coast.

WA longboard legend Matt Inman won the Wayne Deane Spirit of Longboarding Award, which is presented to the person who best embodies “the true spirit of the sport”.

Capes competitors included Brett Merrifield, Barry McKinnon, Amy Blackmore and Margaret River Senior High School surfer Kai Flynn.

Burke’s victory came in fun, tricky and challenging onshore conditions.

“It became a surfing triathlon with paddling, surfing and running up the beach,” he told the Times.

“The photo (inset) was risky in the onshore conditions. I committed to the turn and it turned out to be the winning move.”

The strong surf left Burke uncertain about the final outcome until he left the water, after which he was chaired up the beach as confirmation of his win.

Merrifield and McKinnon made the semifinals in their divisions, while Blackmore made it into the third round.

A notable outcome was Year 12 student Flynn’s final fourth in the under-18 men’s junior division, competing as the only WA junior in a highly contested competition against combatants from NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

“(I was) happy to finish fourth place in the under-18 junior men,” Flynn said.

“(I am) very grateful for this opportunity to meet new people and have this incredible experience.

“It was epic to see multiple ages coming together and celebrating the craft of longboarding.”

Burke and Flynn thanked supporters and Surfing WA for backing them on the east coast mission.

Burke said the longboard competition in particular was a celebration of the style across the country.

“The support everyone gives each other is amazing,” the Dunsborough native said.

“People seem genuinely happy when you do well, congratulating you.

“It’s been special, this one, as they all recognise this achievement and I bump into them (other surfers) at a coffee shop and they say congrats, like we did it for WA; feels bigger than just me.”

MRSHS surf academy coach Mark Meyer praised Flynn’s achievements, saying as a goofy footer the longboard form was more difficult.

“WA is not known for having many longboarders compared to other states,” Meyer said.

“Whilst Margaret River is world-renowned for waves, the waves here are not particularly quality longboarding waves, so to have Kai represent WA on the national stage for longboarding is a huge achievement.”

Surfing Australia contest director Glen Elliott hailed the competition as a display of “camaraderie and the strong Aussie spirit shared by longboarders from across the country”.