Merewether’s Philippa Anderson has proven her pedigree after claiming the 56th Mattara Surf Classic at South Bar Beach on Sunday.
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The win will be crucial for her as she heads into the last two World Surf League events of the year, and a win in the historic surfing competition is always welcomed by Novocastrian competitors.
“It’s an honour to win the Mattara,” she said. “It’s great to have a local event like this for women that is so well supported.
“A $2,000 first prize is fantastic and a real incentive for the girls.”
The 25-year-old natural-footer beat reigning Nelson Bay-based champion Elle Clayton-Brown in the final to confirm her status as one of the strongest competitors at the event.
Although the Clayton-Brown family would be disappointed not to keep the women’s open silverware in 2017, Elle’s younger brother Mike Clayton-Brown was able to bring home a trophy regardless.
The under-16 surfer won the junior division in a hotly contested four-man final, that impressed spectators and the judges with “some of the best surfing of the day”.
South Coast surfer Nick Squires was the best of the weekend in the men’s open event, beating out reigning champion Troy Skillin in deteriorating surf conditions in the early afternoon.
Squires 17 points was more than enough to give him the crown in the 56th event over Skillin’s 12.4, and he headed home with the glory and the $3,000 top prize.
Merewether’s Jackson Baker placed third in the event, finding himself behind Skillin in similar fashion to the 55th event last year.
Squire will be pleased with his performance, after returning to the competition a decade after first winning the Mattara Classic, in 2007.