By James Jacobi

The 13th Beach Boardriders reached the halfway mark of their 2008 campaign at the weekend with over 150 competitors having a dip in the fair conditions on offer. A 2 - 3 foot swell, light north westerlies and a dropping tide prompted competition organises to run the event at Beacon for the first time in 2008. A recent lack of banks at the renowned A-frame combined with inapt tides has driven competition away to nearby Left Bank in the two preceding events.

Early signs of a new left hander at Beacon, in conjunction with a dominant low tide saw the Cadets thrown into the action and took little time adjusting to the wonky conditions. Jackson Whylie’s backhand attack and forehand aggression proved too good for the U/16’s, demolishing his competitors with two high scoring rides in the excellent range.

Usual suspects Jimmy Adams, Danny Dales Sutton and Bart Johnson-Baxter made their way into the Junior Men’s final for the third time running but it was U/18’s favourite Stuart Ferrier who brought home the goods. Vital wave selection and massive hacks led Ferrier to his second win of his 2008 campaign.

The wind, which threatened to go southerly all morning held out until eleven o’clock before swinging to the south just in time for the Open heats. The wind change did no favours to the already uneven conditions, going from wonky to messy in a matter of minutes.
Grant Stringer made the conditions look far from dismal, whipping his tail in and out of sections on his way to his third consecutive win for the season. The goofy footer made a mess of the slowly fading swell denying Marcus Casey any hope of victory. Professional surfer Josh Johnson-Baxter took kindly to Beacons new bank, throwing down all kinds of manoeuvres at ease, propelling himself into first place in the Open A final.

The right at Hutto’s was still lingering in the midst of Beacons A-frame, producing the odd smackable wall and around noon played host to the Open Women’s final. Kasey Martin thrived on the junky rights managing to refuse Molly Kenwood her second win of the season. The Senior Men also ran their final on the walling rights of Hutto’s. Damien ‘Robbo’ Robinson took out his maiden 2008 victory in style, pulling down an air after the hooter. Mark Hutson won yet another Master’s division final taking his 2008 tally to two from three. has also shined in the 2008 season managing to make an appearance in the Masters final on every occasion.