WINNERS ARE GRINNERS IN CLASSIC SUCCESS
CALLUM Robson and Ren Hashimoto have taken out the QCC Michael Peterson Classic at Kirra Point.
Surfing in glassy 3-4 foot waves yesterday, Robson (Evans Head) narrowly defeated Sheldon Simkus (Tweed Heads), defending QCC series champion Lincoln Taylor (North Stradbroke Island) and Thomas Woods (Elanora) in the men’s final. In what was a solid comeback, Robson scored a 5.17 (out of a possible 10.00), moving him into second position behind Simkus. But in the dying seconds of the heat Robson scored himself a huge 9.67 – bringing his heat total to 15.84 (out of a possible 20.00) – and taking the win.
“I’m stoked with the win,” said Robson.
“It was a great event. It’s always fun when we get good waves, and to have it at Kirra made it all the better.”
Hashimoto (Japan) won the open women’s division, defeating Siena Hanna (Sunshine Coast), Raya Campbell (Coolangatta) and Hinako Kurokawa (Japan).
Hashimoto scored one of the highest waves of the event with an 8.5, combined with a 6.17 for a total heat score of 14.67. Hashimoto used her forehand attack on the peeling right-handers on offer, surfing some of the longest rides of the day.
‘I’m super happy to get the win,” said Hashimoto.
“It was a little bit slow out there today, but I managed to find the right waves. I like the QCC because it’s a proving ground for any surfer – some of the best in the business surf in this series, so it’s great for my surfing.”
The Surfing Queensland event was historic after the announcement last week that the prizemoney between the genders would be closed.