The SOUL Australian Longboard Titles for 2007 concluded yesterday in great waves at North Haven Beach near Port Macquarie with an amazing level of surfing displayed across all divisions.

Kelly Slater could have found his septagenerian counter part with event seeing Shelley Beach surfer Danny Bond take his 11th Australian Longboard title, this one in the over 60s division.

Above and below- Harley Ingelby was consistently performing throughout the event with a high score in the early rounds and an ever improving tally in the final with a best wave score of 8.5 helping make his Opens win. All images courtesy of Surfing Australia

The Open division went to Harley Ingelby from Coff's Harbour who came into the event as a wildcard. Harley was on it throughout the event having been a high-scorer in the earlier rounds.

He didn't have it all his own way in the final with Queenslander and 3 time and Defending event Champion Josh Constable coming up with a 9, but in the end unable to find that elusive decent 2nd wave.

Ingebly meanwhile continued to improve his wave score throughout the final, coming up with an 8.5 and the win.

Harley explained his strategy "I knew Constable would throw out a challenge at some stage but I wasn’t expecting him to get a 9 point ride and really apply the pressure – I remained calm, stuck to my plan which was to simply improve my score and fortunately I scored that 8.5 ride late in the final and won."

Chelsea Williams absolutely dominated the Womens Open to take the win

Freshie's Dan McComb came through at the end with the Juniors Australian Title. This shot is from a heat early in the event

While it was a close call in the Mens, the Womens Open saw Tweed Heads' Chelsea Williams in a league of her own perform what was described as an absolute 'domination' as she comboed her rivals in the final. This is Williams' 3rd Australian Title.


Angourie's Bryce Young, son of Nat, peaked in the Semis with the event's highest wave score of 9.5

Local Harbord surfer Dan McComb is on top of the world having taken out the Juniors, and while Dan won convincingly in the final Angourie's Bryce Young also deserves a mention as while getting 3rd in the final he scored the event's highest wave score of 9.5 in the semi but just peaked that one heat too early. Bryce is Nat Young's son.

The Girls Juniors saw Caloundra's Monique Keane take the win and also take a place in the Women's Open.


Christian Pimm toes on the nose during the event's earlier full waves


Woolongong's Dane Pioli a consistent performer

In the 40s the win went to South Australian Jason Russell who will no doubt be the toast of the surfing town in his home state having put it to the East Coasters!

While waves were inconsistent during the early part of the event being full, mushy, windy and even a sea fog halting competition at one stage, overall a great event was had by all, thanks to Surfing Australia, SOUL, and all sponsors and the 174 competitors.