Dowker off to Aussies after win
TROY Dowker has hailed his rivals after the Currumbin surfer booked his spot at the nationals following a big day at the Queensland Surf Festival.
Dowker and fellow Gold Coasters Lee Cooper and Mark Richardson were among nine individual masters shortboard champions crowned on day five at Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast yesterday.
The Currumbin surfer won the over-45 men’s division, defeating Craig Masters (Peregian Beach), Rod Hoskin (Burleigh Heads) and Mick Hassett (Miami).
Dowker opened with a 7.67 out of 10 combined with a 7.83 for a combined heat total of 15.50 out of a possible 20 to take the victory.
“I think everyone surfed very well today,” Dowker said.
“We’ve found a great spot here with the tough conditions.
“I’m excited to join the rest of the Queensland team down at Aussies.”
Cooper (Kirra) won the over-35 women’s division. She defeated Kristy Quirk (Noosaville) after the results from both their aggregate finals were added together.
The pair battled a tough high-tide paddle out in some strong currents but both managed to put some solid scores on the board, with Cooper coming out on top.
Richardson (Palm Beach) won the over-40 men’s division ahead of Tony Paris (Mudjimba), Dowker (Currumbin) and Mick Hassett (Miami) respectively.
“I’m stoked, there’s a lot of swell so I was riding a bigger board,” Richardson said.
Sunshine Coaster Terry Landsberg took out the over-55 men’s division, ahead of Richard Whitpaine (Bli Bli), Bruce Dunne (Coolum Beach) and David Cover (Parrearra).
Today will see champions crowned in the SUP divisions.
THE Gold Coast’s world surfing legend Wayne “Rabbit’’ Bartholomew will launch the Cooly Surfing Collection Exhibition today.
The one-month free surf art exhibition invoking the flavour of Cool-in-Gatta theme will run in March and April as surfing fans from across the world converge on Coolangatta for the Corona