Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Leigh Sedley wins 4-star WQS Arrive Alive
Saturday, 15 March 2008 00:00

Leigh Sedley 

The Arrive alive Central Coast Pro saw the crowning of a new champion, as Leigh Sedley (Sunshine Coast, QLD) defeated Shaun Gossmann (Gold Coast, QLD) in the hotly contested Men’s Final. Sedley defeated Gossmann 13.34 to 12.77 to claim his maiden World Qualifying Series (WQS) win of his career – one which was made even sweeter with the US$10,000 prize purse.

Sedley, who had been one of the most consistent surfers throughout the event, used superior wave selection, patience and a blistering backhand arsenal to eventually outpoint Gossmann. “I’m so stoked with the result, it’s a perfect start to the year for me,” he said. “I had to wait 22 minutes for a decent scoring wave, but I knew that when it came I could get the scores I needed.”

Seemingly at the cross roads of his young career, Sedley was determined to do well this year – starting with the Arrive alive Central Coast Pro. “I had a pretty ordinary year last year, but managed to salvage it towards the end with some good results,” Sedley said.

“This result is such a confidence boost for me. Hopefully it will be the perfect start to a good 2008. I was on the verge of loosing focus coming into this year; I said to all my family and friends it was now or never, but I trained really hard in the off-season. I just tried to work really hard on my surfing,” he said.

Shaun Gossmann, who had steadily gained momentum after defeating the number one seed and current World Championship Tour (WCT) surfer Mick Campbell in the quarter finals, was happy with his opening result of the year. “Coming into the event I wanted to make the final. So I am really happy to have reached my goal,” he said.

“I really want to qualify for the WCT next year. I’ve been training really hard and working on my mental and physical fitness. This is a really good start to the year for me.” Needing a 6.18 in the last ten seconds to overtake Sedley and take the title, Gossmann received a 5.6 and his fate was sealed.

The Women’s side of competition is heating with the semi finals and final set to get underway at approximately 1pm. Semi final number one will see the best heat of the event with Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa) taking on local surfer and top seed Amee Donahoe (McMasters Beach). Both surfers have been in scintillating form and are doing battle for a sought after finals birth.

The Arrive alive Central Coast Pro sees 144 male and 64 female surfers compete for total divisional prize money purses of US$80,000 and US$25,000 respectively, plus valuable early season WQS ratings points.

Source: Arrive Alive


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

The best surf watches in the world
Wave Height Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction Forecast
Wave Period
Surf Videos
Surf Books
Surf Movies
Online Surfing Games

SURFING

Riding a 15-foot Teahupoo wave with Shane Dorian
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Shane Dorian has captured all the glory of a 15-foot Teahupoo wave with his surf camera mount.
We've seen Shane Dorian tasting the power of Nazaré and speaking about the wave of his life. The big wave surfer born on the July 19, 1972, in Hawaii, has published an impressive picture, directly from the Tahitian pit. The mid-May swell that hit "The End of the Road" brought huge, perfect tube rides to the French Polynesian island. Dorian was there to ride the wild beast.


Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Rio Pro 2013
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Jordy Smith has conquered the Billabong Pro Rio 2013, in clean two-to-four foot (1 meter) waves, at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca, in front of thousands of surf fans.
The best ocean conditions of the entire Billabong Pro Rio 2013 came in the finals' day, with Jordy Smith beating Adriano de Souza in the last heat of the last day of the event waiting period. Win it or break it. Adriano de Souza and Jordy Smith were up and riding with different trumps under their belts. The Brazilian w [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

Pudla Narapichit hailed Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champion
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Pudla Narapichit and Doque Delos Santos have been crowned the Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champions.
With 120 riders from 30 countries, the final and decisive Chinese stage once again broke all records, at Pingtan Island, also known as Haitan Island. The spot is regarded as China's windiest location - regular wind speeds of over 30 knots are recorded over the winter monsoon season and all of the island's old traditional style stone houses need to have rocks placed on top of their tiled roo [ ... ]


Kitesurfing in India kicks off with the Red Bull Quila Surf
20/05/2013
article thumbnail

The first kitesurfing competition will hit India, between 23rd-25th May, at Mandwa. The Red Bull Quila Surf will showcase 70 Indian kitesurfers in the water.
The costal district of Raigad is ready for action. The Red Bull Quila Surf is the first ever kitesurfing competition in the country and anxiety grows. Ines Correia, the 2011 Kite Surf Pro (KSP) World Tour champion from Portugal, has been invited to judge the riders based on speed, maneuverability and attitude.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Lachlan Cramsie takes the Arica Chilean Challenge Trials 2013
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Lachlan Cramsie has stolen the 2013 GoPro IBA Arica Chilean Challenge Trials, in solid and glassy 4-6 foot barreling waves at El Gringo, Chile.
The Australian rider defeated Ruben "Babby" Quiñones, George Humphreys and Roberto Bruno in the final and decisive heat. Nevertheless, all the best seven trialists secured a spot in the main event, where they will compete against the top 24 Grand Slam Series bodyboarders and event wildcards Alan Espinoza, Jake Stone and Diego Cabrera.


Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


+ Bodyboarding News