Tradies Challenge rides URBNSURF waves

AUSTRALIA’S best surfing tradies put their tools down at the weekend for the WorkSafe Tradies Challenge at URBNSURF.

Sunday’s competition saw more than 50 competitors battle it out for ultimate bragging rights as the best surfing tradesmen in the country.

The tradies made the most of the pristine weather and surf conditions and put forward some incredible surfing to earn some excellent scores.

In the Open Men’s division, Jan Juc surfer and carpenter Ethan Huxtable was the standout performer of the day.

Huxtable put together an incredible series of manoeuvres on both the left and right-handed side of the pool to take the win over Pedro Lani (Bittern), Isaac Markwell (Noosa Heads) and reigning champion Cole Fox (Jan Juc).

“It was a super fun day surfing the pool with everyone,” Huxtable said.

“I’m happy to get the win and lucky enough to win a new Milwaukee radio as well!”

In the Bodyboarding division, Jacques Le Roux (Gladstone Park) let loose in the barrels to secure the win.

Le Roux performed the cleanest technical barrel roll manoeuvre of the day and also put himself deepest in the tube to put the win out of reach for his fellow competitors.

Chris Watson (Rosebud) finished in second, Mark Britten (Mornington Peninsula) was third and fourth went to Rui Mateus (Ivanhoe)

“It felt awesome to take it out, the format of it all is really great,” Le Roux said.

“Most of us surf together all the time but the nice thing here is that everyone is hooting each other on out in the water which is epic.

“Everyone wants to win but everyone has that respect for each other and pushes each other!”

The Master’s division was taken out by Sean McDevitt, who put on a masterclass on his backhand to earn a hard-fought victory.

McDevitt attacked the lip of the wave with ease and showed off incredible rhythm to impress the judges and score a combined total of 15.37 (out of a possible 20 points).

Second went to David Markwell (Noosa Heads), third was Ross Dart (Torquay) and fourth went to Luke Beerling (Rye).

Full results from the day can be found at surfingvic.com/live