Regardless of who takes home the Surfest title, big hats off to all of the high-profile competitors in Newcastle during the last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
They’re not only showcasing their world class skills along the Hunter’s coastline, but also showcasing their world class skills out of the water.
In amongst all of the promotional work the likes of Sally Fitzgibbons, Stephanie Gilmore and Alana Blanchard – three of the biggest names on the women’s international circuit – stopped and posed for photographs with fans, signed autographs and spoke to locals.
And all with big smiles on their dials.
It actually took Fitzgibbons half an hour to get from the waves to the media zone after finishing her heat on Friday, but it didn’t seem to faze her one little bit.
A chat to the host broadcaster at the water’s edge, a quick kiss from boyfriend Trent Merrin on the sand and then for the adoring spectators waiting around Merewether Surf Club, just for a second with Sal.
####
Next door down at Bar Beach the Australian Bowlriding Champion-ships were taking place on the weekend with plenty of people checking out the action.
Those in the thick of it included the pint-sized twin Bonar brothers, Alfie and Boaz, who continue to carve it up at the park despite barely reaching the waists of most of their competitors.
On a skating note, if you’re a Tony Hawke fan have a look at the video with a vertical twist doing the rounds online.
####
Aberglasslyn-based Dakar Rally champion Toby Price has been celebrated all over the world after he became the first Australian to win the famous race last month.
The NSW Legislative Council added to that list with parliamentary secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald moving a motion last week.
“The motion notes that Toby is the first Australian to win the Dakar Rally, and that he won by a convincing 29 minutes and 41 seconds,” MacDonald said.
“The motion also notes Toby’s remarkable comeback to off-road motorcycle racing from injury in 2013.
“I’m sure all residents of the Hunter and the state of NSW join the Legislative Council in congratulating Toby on this achievement.”
####
Still on the topic of Hunter champions and 34-year-old Novocastrian Kurt Fearnley has done it again.
Fearnley added the Tokyo wheelchair marathon crown to his ever-growing list of achievements.
It doubled as preparation for a fifth Paralympic tilt with eyes toward a fourth gold medal prize in Rio in September.
####
Maitland athletics pair Emily Coppins and Rhys Donkin narrowly missed places at the NSW Championships at Homebush on the weekend.
Coppins was sixth in the women’s 100 metre final with a personal best of 12.11 seconds and Donkin was fourth in the men’s pole vault with a new individual mark of 4.1 metres.
####
Hunter cricketers Jayden Park and Jason Sangha played key roles on the last day of the NSW Second XI’s five-wicket win over Kiwi side Canterbury at Bankstown on Thursday.
Left-arm spinner Park took four wickets and 16-year-old prodigy Jason Sangha made 41 in his second game for the Blues’ reserves.
Park helped dismiss Canterbury for 189 in their second dig and Sangha, batting at No.5, played aggressively to help NSW reach the 156 target.
####
Maitland hockey player Simon Orchard caught a gold medal at the recent Hockey India League but it may not have quite matched up to the fishing catch (above right) of this Ranchi girl before last week’s final.
####
Numbers Game: 1 - the ranking of Raymond Terrace-based Australian representative Natasha Scott after being named the inaugural NSW female bowler of the year award winner last week.
####
Moment That Mattered: City United claiming their first Maitland and District Cricket Association club championship since 1989-1990.
####
Quote: “Footy tipping is an enjoyable part of the NRL season, but it doesn’t matter where the competition is because the cleaner will probably win it,” Pickers legend Brian Burke on the Mercury’s new online Top Tippa competition, which kicks off with the NRL season this Thursday.
