Aussie thrills as SUP stalwart claims first title - extra photos

THE user-friendly, offshore conditions at Phillip Island’s famous Woolamai Beach, during the past week, turned feral on Saturday, finals day for the 2022 Surfing Australia Stand-up Paddleboard titles.

There were ups, downs, heavy wipe-outs, close-outs and some thrilling rides, even in the tough onshore conditions, as surfers occasionally got the better of the powerful waves.

And one of those to come out on top was James Casey of Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches who hung around after a fine second placing in the marathon event on Day One last Wednesday, to compete with distinction in several other disciplines.

But he saved his best until last, competing in the Open Men’s SUP Surfing Final on Sunday, posting a near perfect score of 9.80 with his first wave of the final, an awesome ride that had it all, taming a big, fast-breaking wave and surfing it all the way to the beach as it reformed into some sensational sections that had the crowd on their feet.

He closed out the competition with a creditable third wave score of 6.25, again a masterful effort in the conditions.

But the sentimental victory of the day, of the whole week, came in the Over 50s Men’s Final when Australian SUP Titles stalwart, Andrew Cassidy of NSW, claimed his first Aussie title after competing at all 13 title events over the past two decades.

He went on to claim his second title later in the day.

“I’ve been in every Australian SUP Titles since 2009 and that’s the first time I’ve ever won an Australian title so it’s fantastic,” said Cassidy after saluting the crowd from the beach and celebrating with his supporters and fellow competitors, clutching the Australian flag.

“It was really tricky out there. You didn’t want to be going for the bigger ones, which were closing out, even if you could get out that far, the medium ones were better, when you could get into them, and just hoping they’d reform on the inside which a couple of them did for me, luckily.

“it’s been an awesome week but to finally break though and win one after such a long time has been really something,” he said.

Results:

• Open Men Final: 1st James Casey NSW 16.05 (including a first wave ride of 9.80 and a third scoring wave of 6.25). From 2nd Wesley Fry NSW 10.25, 3rd Ray Hughes NSW and 4th Matt Takle VIC 5.70.
• Open Women Final: 1st Skyla Rayner NSW 9.75 (first wave score of 6.00), 2nd Hannah Finlay-Jones NSW 3.05, Emma Webb VIC, Ke'ale Dorries QLD.
• O40 Men Final: 1^st Marty Cole NSW 12.35 (including final waves of 6.25 and 6.10). 2^nd Scotty McKercher WA 9.50, 3^rd Richard Feeney NSW 5.45, 4^th Jason Barbour NSW 2.50.
• O50 Men Final: 1^st Andrew Cassidy NSW 11.60 (opening waves of 6.50 and 5.10), 2^nd Scotty McKercher WA 9.15, 3^rd Crawford Olney WA 8.15, 4^th Blair Moore NSW 7.75.
• 10ft Open Men Final: 1^st James Casey NSW 18.80, 2^nd Marty Cole NSW 11.25, 3^rd Kaelan Lockhart QLD 7.00, 4^th Matt Takle VIC 4.00.
• 10ft Open Women Final: 1^st Hannah Finlay-Jones NSW 8.05, 2^nd Skyla Rayner NSW 6.05, Emma Webb VIC 4.20, eq 3^rd Ke'ale Dorries QLD, eq 3^rd Xanthe Rivett VIC.
• O50 Men LB SUP Final: 1^st Andrew Cassidy NSW 13.30 (second wave of 8.50), 2^nd Crawford Olney WA 7.75, 3^rd Damien Quinlan VIC 7.45, 4th John Takle VIC 6.60, 5^th Michael Jenkins VIC 6.10.
• O50 Women Final: 1^st Leanne Jack VIC 7.25, 2^nd Kerry Davenport NSW 4.20, 3^rd Juanita Read QLD 2.00, 4^th Madeline Rayner NSW 0.55.