Fins fly at annual TBC Single Fin event

TORQUAY Boardriders Club’s annual Single Fin festival competition went down as an instant classic over the weekend, with one of the closest finishes in its history awarding Johnny Hawken his second event title.

More than 30 competitors took part in the all-ages, single division event on Saturday, with surfers in their teens taking on some of their surfing heroes on vintage boards that were made forty plus years ago.

With halos of whitewater being casted across the lineup from the stylish and smooth surfing, the 30 surfers were squeezed down to six competitors who battled it out for overall bragging rights in the final.

To decide the equipment for the final, boards were drawn in a raffle system, with some coming out winners and some coming out losers and having to ride boards that had been heavily waterlogged over the last few decades.

Former event champions Cahill Bell-Warren and Hawken kicked things off by trading strong scores early, but were closely followed by the field.

In the end, the final went right down to the wire, resulting in a split judging decision awarding Hawken his second event title, and his first since 2010. Bell-Warren narrowly finished in second, followed by Powell, while Tom Edgar, Noah Clifford and Jarvis Barrow rounded out the podium in fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.

Bell-Warren said the event had plenty of highlights, including some youngsters taking it up to some of the open competitors.

“Saturday was fantastic, the waves were super fun and better than expected and the vibes on the beach were excellent.

“To see some of young crew like 13-year-old Jarvis Barrow make the final was awesome and shows off the development of the juniors in our club.

“It was a very entertaining event and we look forward to bringing it up in scale again next year.”

Outstanding performer awards were also given out throughout the day and were awarded to Beau Bibic (junior) and Adam Leslie (senior).

Post event, presentations and food and drinks were served at the club’s spiritual home of Bird Rock Jan Juc.