State’s top surfers head to Injidup for 2022 Surf Masters State Champioships

The State’’s top surfer’s gathered last weekend to decide title winners in the 2022 West Coast Suspensions Surf Masters WA State Championships at Injidup. With 12 titles up for grabs over the three days, surfers made their mark on waves to prove their worth and represent WA at the 2022 Australian Surf Championships in NSW. Margaret River’s Alex McGuffin claimed victory in the Open men’s final, with a dizzying display of backhand surfing that earned him his first State championship since 2019. McGuffin, who leaves to compete on the WSL qualifying series in NSW next week, said he was excited to be pushed all the way in a closely contested final with a ripping scoring of 15.30 out of a possible 20.“I’m so stoked to get that win, it gives me a lot of confidence heading in the run of QS events on the east coast,” he said. “It’s been a sick event and so good to finish on a high in such good waves.”Former WSL championship tour surfer, and more recently Survivor Australia victor, Felicity Palmateer had to draw deep from her years of competition to win the Open women’s division. The Yanchep surfer peaked when it mattered most, dropping an 8.00 on her opening wave of the final to finish on a combined two-wave total of 13.20 of 20, defending her 2020 Open women’s State title in the process. She said she loved competing in a such a strong division. “I’m so happy to be here and thanks to everyone, especially the girls in the water with me,” she said. “It was just nice to finish an event in good waves like we’ve had.” Other winners included Margaret River’s Jack Mitchell for the under-21 pro juniors, Dunsborough’s Richard Sills in the over-35 masters and Ian Macpherson of City Beach who took out the over-40 men’s division, after only recently returning from injury.Samantha Vanderford was the first double winner of the event, the Greenhead local taking out the over-35 and over-50 women’s divisions. City Beach’s Paul Paterson was another multiple State title winner, securing the over-45 and over-50 men’s titles. Peterson also claimed the Wave of the Weekend for an excellent 9.25 out of 10 during the over-45 men’s final. In the more senior classes Chris Twomey of Karrinyup claimed the over-55 men’s final, with Esperance’s Brent Moss winning the over-60 men’s final and Michael Molloy of Geraldton the best of the over-65 men’s surfers. Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks said he was thrilled with the high skill level and enthusiasm from all competitors. “That was a memorable event with some world-class performances to match. Logistically we had some challenges but Injidup is such a great competition venue,” he said. “Congratulations to all our State Champions and well done to everyone that pulled on a vest in big surf on Friday and Saturday.”