Competition had been called off for the first five days at the Hurley Pro and Swatch Pro at Trestles, stops eight and seven of the men’s and women’s World Surf League Championship Tours, with small surf on offer.
That certainly wasn't a problem for this year’s Southside Malibu Club Spring Classic which was all about local history and the golden years of longboarding with Jackson Surfboards.
Huge seas at North Cronulla Beach caused havoc for the competitors making it hard work to even catch two waves in the heats with extreme paddle outs through the six-foot waves.
It was left to multiple-time Australian and former NSW champion Jason Livingston (Curl Curl) to take the open nine-foot silverware from Christian Pimm and locals Rick Liddle and Matty Cook.
Livingston also took the masters crown with Andy O’Sullivan the grand masters and Mick Cottier the Dukes division.
Maddi Rose won the women's while Pimm also took the competitive log division with evergreen Cottier the weight-for-age title.
Cronulla has been blessed once again with a great week of waves,which finally peter’s out today to 1-2 ft clean peaks.
All the reefs and points have been breaking since Friday with favourable winds the “lemon next to the pie” as Bear said in Big Wednesday.
Swellnet predicts this easing swell to drop right off with new fresh Southerly energy on Thursday afternoon and Friday then another big South swell somewhere in the 6-8ft range for Sunday-so get the guns out again!
In Europe, the 6000 Azores Airlines Pro finished with the crowning of Brazilian Yago Dora in an exciting final, which he won over compatriot Michael Rodrigues at Santa Barbara.
Shane Campbell had the best local result going out in the second round and Jared in the first which didnt really help in their quest for ratings points.
Meanwhile the Trestles contest got of to a start and that was also bad news for connor O’Leary who finished in his first 25th throw away position.
Hawaiian Sebastian Zietz threw himself into high-gear and took down 2017 Rookie of the Year contender Connor O’Leary and Californian Kanoa Igarashi (USA) with brilliant surfing to earn a near-perfect 9.50. Zietz’s powerful wrapping carves sent spray flying out the back with each maneuver all the way to the inside.
Connor was then dusted in round two by Australian compatriot Josh Kerr who needs to make some points to stay on tour-16.50 to 13.00.
In GOOD news Team Australia capped off a historic week of competition in Denmark and continued their dominance in the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship, edging out France and New Zealand to earn the overall Team Gold Medal.
This was the largest ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship in history. 42 countries, more 450 participants, and more than 700 team visitors gathered in Denmark.
Team Australia celebrated their fifth Team Gold Medal in the event's six years, continuing their streak of dominance.