Masters champs succeed at State Titles

THE state’s best Masters surfers have been crowned following a solid day of 3-4 foot sets at Jan Juc on Sunday.

Lara’s Martin Rennhackkamp (10.54), Merricks North’s Hannah Trigger (14.04), Portland’s Stuart Engel (16.53), and Cowes’ Arthur McKenzie (16.16) were all named division winner at Sunday’s 2024 Victorian Masters Titles.

The annual event provides surfers aged over 35 the opportunity to perform on the big stage, showing onlookers they still know how to perform a critical turn.

In the Men’s Over 60s division, Rennhackkamp found the best of the set, gathering multiple forehand hacks to receive a 7.33 point ride and take an early lead.

He then regained the lead on his second ride with a solid left-hand ride out the back to consolidate the win, finishing ahead of Jan Juc’s Grayme Galbrith and Melbourne’s Kim Shannon.

“I’m super stoked to take out the final,” Rennhackkamp said.

“I was looking for those long running rights and then got a left as a backup wave.

“For a competition the waves were amazing and there was a good spirit between all of us out there.”

In the Over 35 Women’s division, Trigger solidified her advantage with two strong rides to score a combined heat total of 14.04, leaving the rest of the competitors in her wake.

“It feels great to take the win, I was kinda surprised as I knew I got one OK wave, but I was paddling so much I wasn’t sure,” Trigger said.

“It was really fun surfing with the girls, but to be honest, in the final, I hardly even saw anyone because we were just paddling.

“The day was really good, and the sun stayed out most of the day, so it was perfect really.”

Trigger, Rennhackkamp and Over 55s winner Stuart Engel will now represent Victoria in the 2024 Australian Surf Championships at Port Macquarie, NSW.