The state’s best to descend on Kiama this week

(Maroubra, NSW – Tuesday, 30 June 2009): With ten state titles up for grabs, the best surfers in the state are set to converge on Kiama for the NSW Open Surfmasters Titles this week.

As the best 200 age surfers in NSW battle it out over four days, the action is sure to be scintillating as competitors fight it out for a birth at the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival to take place in August.

According to Mark Windon, Surfing NSW CEO, the showcase of surfing talent on hand at Kiama will be world-class.

“The NSW Surfmasters will see the state’s best male and female age surfers congregating in Kiama for what should be four days of extremely fierce competition,” he said.

“The standard of surfing will be through the roof with several World and Australian Champions on show,” Windon added.

The NSW Open Surfmasters decides ten state titles including the Open, Over 28, 35 and 40 year’s Men divisions.

In addition to these divisions will be the running of the Over 45 and 50 year’s Men divisions; the Open, Over 28 and 35 year’s Women competitions.

Michael Forsyth, General Manager of Kiama Council, is proud to be supporting such a high-profile event in the local area.

“Kiama Council is very pleased to be on board as both a sponsor and supporter of the NSW Open Surfmasters Titles,” he said.

“The event will bring great benefit for the local economy in period which is traditionally quiet for the region,” Mr Forsyth added. 

“Not to mention a host of elite sports men and women.”

Led by current National Champions, Dane Atcheson (Copacabana, NSW), former ASP World Tour surfer Toby Martin (Dee Why, NSW).  and Brett Bannister (North Narrabeen, NSW), the NSW Surfmasters sees surfers from each of the ten Surfing NSW regions competing for state supremacy. 

Looking to thwart the hopes of other regions will be a host of Illawarra and South Coast talent.

Current ISA World Junior Champion Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW), ASP Australasian Pro Junior standouts Ty Watson (Currarong, NSW) and Tim Bilmon (Thirroul, NSW) and Illawarra Regional Champion Nick Squiers (North Wollongong, NSW) will all be on hand in the Open Men division, while Skye Burgess (Lake Heights, NSW) and Yvonne Byron (Bulli, NSW) will be battling it out in the Female Open and Over 28 years division’s.

“Kiama Council are pleased to encourage a sport which has such a high profile within the local region – highlighted by two local stars Sally Fitzgibbons and Dean Bowen,” Mr Forsyth admitted. 

“Kiama Council wishes the event and all competitors great success, and hopefully great waves, for the week ahead.”

For the confirmed running schedule, contest location and all information please visit http://www.surfingnsw.com.au

photo by: Michael Tyrpenou/Surfing NSW