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Elouera’s Shane Campbell has taken out the Aloha Manly Style Pro with a marathon effort in treacherous conditions at Sydney’s North Curl Curl Beach. 

Campbell and fellow finalists, Harrison Martin, Dane Atcheson and Ben Penny surfed five heats in some of the heaviest surf conditions ever seen in Sydney. 

With plenty of paddling and duck diving to be done it was no surprise that the younger and fitter competitors made the final. Not only having to deal with the 12-15 foot wash thru waves, competitors also faced gale force winds and a strong outflow from the Curl Curl Lagoon, it truly was victory at sea.

Campbell started the twenty minute final with a 6.33 that he quickly backed up with the best wave of the final, an 8.00. Campbell’s total of 14.33 was never challenged with fellow Elouera Boardriders member Harrison Martin finishing second with a total of 9.80. Martin opened with a 6.07 but was unable to find anything in the excellent range. 

“For how hard the conditions were for the comp everyone seemed to enjoy themselves which was reflected by how good everyone was surfing, so because of that I’m really happy to come out on top”, said Campbell. “It gives me a lot more confidence not just for competitions but for my surfing in general, so yeah I’m really happy with the result”.

Avoca’s Dane Atcheson was an early standout in the wild conditions but was only able to muster a 5.07 and a 4.37 to finish in third position. Queenscliff’s Ben Penny was the surprise packet of the event finishing ahead of the experienced Perth Standlick in the Semi Finals to make his first Bacardi Surf Tour Final. With only 1.30 separating second, third and fourth the stylish natural footer will gain plenty of confidence finishing in fourth position.

“It’s pretty rare that I go any good in competitions, so to make the Final against such a strong field and in probably the craziest conditions ever is a real confidence booster and feels great”, said Penny.

Bacardi Surf Tour Ratings leader Blake Thornton was unable to surf his Semi Final after being hit in the head by Dean Bowen’s surfboard causing a nasty gash. Both Thornton and Bowen duck dived a chunky wave with Bowen’s board hitting Thornton on the forehead. Thornton was strapped up at the beach and later received six stitches in Hospital.

Bowen was unlucky not to make the final going down in the Semi Finals by .30 to Harrison Martin and Dane Atcheson. Bowen didn’t go home empty handed winning the G-Shock Wave of the Day for a 9.50 he posted in the Quarter Finals. The powerful goofy footer unloaded on his backhand with a serious of tight vertical snaps.

North Steyne’s Blake Levett defeated Queenscliff’s Josh Horne in the Trials Final with both surfers receiving prizes from Bacardi and G-Shock. 

Bacardi Surf Tour Event No.2 - Aloha Manly Style Pro  

• 1st – Shane Campbell   – 14.33     $1000
• 2nd – Harrison Martin – 9.80        $500
• 3rd – Dane Atcheson    – 9.44        $300
• 4th – Ben Penny             – 8.50     $200
• 5th – Dean Bowen                   $150
• 5th – Perth Standlick            $150
• 7th – Blake Thornton            $100