One of Australia’s most iconic surfing crowns will be up for grabs at South Bar Beach on October 21-22 when top local and visiting surfers vie for honours in the 56th Mattara Surf Classic.
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Featuring a $2000 winner-takes-all first prize for the open event, the 2017 Mattara Surf Classic is sure to attract a hot field and produce some standout surfing.
Last year’s champion, Central Coast surfer Jamie Skillin, will be back to defend his crown and is looking forward to the event.
“The Mattara Surf Classic is great contest that brings out the best competitors along this part of the coast – the tour surfers, the local legends and the hungry young guns,” Skillin said.
“The winner-takes-all format ensures that every surfer puts it all on the line because no one wants to settle for second best.”
Skillin knows all about tight finishes. He edged out Merewether WQS surfer Jackson Baker to snare the win last year after succumbing to a high-scoring last-minute wave from Dale Lovelock to narrowly miss the title in 2015.
Entries for the Mattara Surf Classic are now open in three divisions: men’s and women’s open and under-16 boys, with the women’s event also offering a prize for the best-performed junior.
Contest director and Surfing Newcastle president Dan Frodsham said Mattara was one of the oldest surfboard contests in Australia, and part of Newcastle’s surfing folklore.
“The list of previous winners reads like a who’s who of Australian surfing, with names like Mark Richards, Michael Peterson, Nat Young, Roger Clements, Damien Hardman and, in more recent years, pro surfers of the stature of Ryan Callinan and Drew Courtney.
To enter the Mattara Surf Classic: surfingaustralia.com