Great conditions were on offer for the finalists of the EBB Pro, which was completed yesterday in pumping waves just north of the Yallingup area in South-West WA. A remote beach break known as ‘Boneyards’ hosted some of the countries best riders vying for the chance to claim the 2009 EBB Pro Title. The 15 minute walk from the closest carpark did little to dampen the spirits of competitors who were blessed with perfect 3-4 feet (2.0 – 2.5m) waves which were fast, hollow and absolutely suited to bodyboarding.

“The guys really lifted for the occasion, with some insane tubes and massive boosts.” Commented event head judge Nathan Duccase who had the hard task of determining the overall winners. “All the guys were surfing so well that any of them could have won today. The level was so high because competitors were pushing each other to go deeper or bigger.” He commented.
 
The earlier quarter final heats were highlighted by the performances of Jake Stone (QLD), Tim Fowler (WA), Phillip Windsor (WA), Jones Russell (NSW), Mitch Woodland (NSW), Cade Sharp (QLD) and Corey McLean (QLD) who adapted to conditions best and scored the morning’s highest heat scores with ease. But it was Joe Clarke (QLD) that set the tempo early posting a near perfect 18.86 from a possible 20. This included two scores of 9.93 and 8.93 to go into the semi finals as an early favourite.
 
“The waves were so good out there, you can get a sick pit on the take off then it just throws these sections up that have to go big on.” Said Clarke after his heat.
 
The semi finals were an allstar affair with the big names of the event set to battle it out with a few lesser know WA boys. Semi one saw Jake Stone continue his winning ways with another heat that saw him score highly. Stone scored 16.27 which included two eight point plus rides, however it was Tim Fowler that stole the show in semi one with one of the waves of the event. Fowler was rewarded with a 9.50 from a possible 10 for tube that seemed to last for at least 8 seconds and a pull a massive ARS to the delight of the crowds on the beach.
 
“I couldn’t believe it when I popped out, it seemed like I was in there forever.” Said Fowler.

Semi two was almost the heat of the event with Jones Russell, Mitchwoodland, Cade Sharp, and Corey Mclean locking horns in battle. I what could have been a final anywhere else some of the big guns in Australian bodyboarding fought it would for the remaining two spots in the EBB Pro final. The lead was always changing, but in the end it was Russell and McLean that had got the better waves and advanced through to the final.
 
The thirty minute final began as many though it would, with Jake Stone locking in a 9.07 ride in the opening minutes to send an ominous sign to his fellow finalists. Unfortunately the rest of the heat was a slow one for Stone who could only manage a back up 6.50 ride, leaving the door open ever so slightly. Corey McLean on the other hand, began warming up in the later part of the final. McLean only caught four waves in thirty minutes, but his last two in particular that changed the final. A 7.17 had him in a good position, but in the dying minutes an 8.67 ride which included an deep tube and combination of spins and rolls was enough to see him sneak ahead of Stone and claim the 2009 EBB Pro Title and pick up the $1K first place prize money.
 
“I love it here in WA, I probably enjoy this coast line more than any other location on tour. You have so many different options to work with. The first day we were surfing a super shallow sucky left, then today were surfing a tubing beachy.” Said an elated McLean.
 
“It was a really awesome day, you couldn’t ask for much more. It would have been nice to see a few more of the boys make the trip over to support the event. I’ll definitely be back next year to defend the title.” Said McLean, who will use his prize money to follow the tour around the country with the next event taking place inSouth Australia in two weeks time.
 
Jones Russell performed well all event and finished in third place ahead of WA’s lone finalist Tim Fowler in fourth.
 
In the Drop Knee division it was Trent Sanford (Scarborough, WA) that should all his class with an emphatic win and back to back EBB Pro DK Titles. Sanford has long been seen as WA’s best ‘kneer’ and today showed he hasn’t lost any of his touch after some great gouges and carves off the lip. Sanford finished ahead of Mark Boehm (Doubleview, WA) in second, Matt Fergusson (Woodlands, WA) in third, Glenn Sullivan (Port Macquaire, NSW) fourth and Liam O’Keefe (Trigg, WA) in fifth place.
 
“Its great to actually compete in a strong DK division. Its such an important part of the sport that I’ll look to support it as best I can.” Said Sanford.
 
The IBA Australasia Rebel Sport Pro Tour turns next to Knight Beach in South Australia, before culminating inQueensland at the same time as the Australian Bodyboard Titles.
 
The 2009 EBB Pro provided a huge opportunity for WA’s up and coming bodyboarders to see and meet their idols first hand and continue the sports development into the future. 2009 has seen the EBB Pro continue to grow into one of Australia’s biggest bodyboarding events and is assured of eclipsing all expectations in 2010. The great waves that WA has to offer along with a bigger prize pool and higher ratings points will see the event firmly placed on the minds of Australia’s best bodyboarders for next year.
 
Final Results >
 
EBB Pro Open Men:
1st Place – Corey McLean (QLD) 15.84pts
2nd Place – Jake Stone (QLD) 15.57pts
3rd Place – Jones Russell (NSW) 15.34pts
4th Place – Tim Fowler (WA) 11.63pts
 
EBB Pro DK:
1st Place – Trent Sanford (WA) 17.3pts
2nd Place – Mark Boehm (WA) 9.85pts
3rd Place – Matt Fergusson (WA) 8.35pts
4th Place – Glenn Sullivan (NSW) 7.5pts
5th Place – Liam O’Keefe (WA) 5.8pts

SOURCE: IBA Australasia