Story by Michael Tyrpenou, Surfing NSW

New champions were crowned and old records were broken today on the final day of the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles today.
 
Held at North Haven beach in epic, two-metre conditions the action that transpired was awe inspiring, as competitors pushed the limits.

Josh Constable, 2008 Australian Longboard Champion, the most successful Aussie Champ in Longboarding ever with this year's win making a total of 4 Aussie Titles

Chelsea Williams, defending Women's Champion, makes it two in a row!

Having seen the best 180 surfers from around Australia converging on Port Macquarie a week ago, the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles it was Josh Constable (Noosa, QLD) who walked away with his fourth Oxbow Australian Title; in the Open Men's division.
 
Not only did Constable set a new record, for most Open Oxbow Australian Titles won, he also saved his best for last with masterful display.
 
"I can't believe that I won," Constable said after racking up an amazing total heat score of 18.75 (out of a possible 20).
 
"Four Australian titles is something that I never thought would happen," he added.
 
"I remembering watching my heroes like Wayne Dean and Ray Gleeve winning Australian titles and always wanted to emulate them, but to surpass those legends is awesome," he said after becoming the most winingest Open Longboard competitor.

Phil Baggs, Hillsborough NSW Over 55s Australian Champion

Lisa Nicholson, Banora Point NSW Over 35s Australian Champion

Constable was unstoppable in the final, finishing above Harley Ingelby (Emerald Beach, NSW), Sam Dunton (Mt Martha, VIC) and Paul Scholten (Emerald Beach, NSW).
 
"I didn't want to relax for a second," Constable stated.
 
"All the guys were surfing so well and the conditions were epic, I knew they could all get the scores to catch me."
 
In the blue ribbon Women's event, the Open Women's division, it was reigning Oxbow Australian champion Chelsea Williams (Tweed Heads, NSW) who added a fourth Oxbow Australian title to her well adorned trophy cabinet.
 
"I'm so stoked to have won," Williams said after dominating in the rugged, storm swell.
 
"To win four Australian titles is a dream come true."
 
Still haunted by her gripping second place finish at the recent ASP Longboard World Title event in France, Williams hopes that her unprecedented fourth Australian title may heal the wound.
 
"I was so disappointed after finishing second in France. It still hurts a lot, but hopefully today's result might eventually make it hurt less."
 
"I'm just going to enjoy today," Williams added after defeating Rosie Locke (Sunshine Coast, QLD), Rachel Pinsak (Terrigal, NSW) and Kelly Winter (Sunshine Coast, QLD) in the final.
 
In the over 60, 55, 50, 45, 40 and 35 Men's division's, it was David Pimm (Wheeler Heights, NSW), Phil Baggs (Hillsborough, NSW), Ric Chalmers (Pottsville, NSW), David Keevers (Byron Bay, NSW) Richard Smith (Sawtell, NSW) and Matt Rawson (Newcastle, NSW) who respectively stood tallest on the dais to claim prestigious national titles.
 
Beau Nixon (Toukley, NSW) and Georgie Roach (Gold Coast, QLD) took out the Junior Men and Women divisions respectively, Lisa  Nicholson (Banora Point, NSW) took the Over 35 Women's division in style, whilst NSW took out the hotly contested Teams Challenge.
 
Be sure to log onto www.australiansurffestival.com for full result and all information on the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles; and the upcoming Na Papa Surfmasters Titles, which is running from Sunday August 24 until Saturday August 30 2008.

Stars were born yesterday at the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles as competitors continued to impress in perfect conditions.

Sam Dunton (Mt Martha, VIC) pulled out the highest single wave score of event thus far with a 9.65 (out a possible 10) in his requalifying round heat of the Oxbow Longboard Australian Titles, as the swell marched in

10-year-old Emi Campbell (Denmark, WA) was without doubt the standout competitor of the day, as she progressed through to the next round of the under 18 Girls division.

Surfing against competitors at least six years her senior, Campbell was fantastic in her heat, enjoying all that Port Macquarie threw at her.

"It was really fun out there," she said.

Dan Refeld (Perth, WA) was unlucky to be eliminated today at the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles. Up against a red-hot Sam Dunton, Refeld was unable to recreate his early round form

Surfing from the ripe age of three, Campbell is a true to asset to the sport - having fun and enjoying the ocean.

"My Dad has been taking me surfing since I was three," she said.

"To come over and compete in an Australian titles is awesome, hopefully I can do well."

Emi Campbell (Denmark, WA) may only be 10 years of age, but she definitely had the event in a spin at the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles today at Port Macquarie

With excellent performances from all junior female competitors on day three at the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles, the future certainly looks extremely bright for Australian female surfing.

As 180 surfers from around Australia converged on Port Macquarie, the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles saw the requalifying rounds underway in excellent conditions.

Bryce Young (Angourie, NSW) was a standout on day three of the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles today. Accruing a total heat score of 15.15 (out of a possible 20), Young cemented his place in the next round

In Open Men division there were big scores and critical surfing on show.

Bryce Young (Angourie, NSW) and Sam Dunton (Mt Martha, VIC) were clear standouts.

Accruing the highest single wave score of the event thus far, a 9.65 (out a possible 10), Dunton surfed with poise and style.

In the Over 35 Women's division it was Lisa Nicholson (Banora Point, NSW) and Sharon Jackson (Alexandra Headland, QLD) who proceeded straight through to the second round of the competition.

Be sure to log onto www.australiansurffestival.com for all information regarding the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival.

Yesterday, as conditions continued to improve at Port Macquarie for the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles, so to did the surfing as the scores soared.

Beau Nixon (Toukley, NSW) was in spectacular form in the under 18 boys division, displaying the classic style of old.

Adam Lynch (Highton ,VIC) surfed exceptionally well in the Under 18 division of the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles. Winning his first round heat in style, Lynch was one of the day's standouts

"I was really happy with how I went out there," Nixon said after his first round heat.

"It's my first Australian titles so I'm super hungry for a good performance."

With 180 surfers from around Australia competing across the 11 divisions at the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles, Nixon believes this event is critical for Australian surfing.

"This event is very important for younger competitors like myself as it brings together the national Longboard community," he said.

Ed Cunningham (Bundaberg, QLD) used powerful surfing to progress through to the next round of the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles

"It's an awesome contest and it's really good for the sport," Nixon added.

In the Open Women's division it was Chelsea Williams (Tweed Heads, NSW) who outshone her fellow competitors.

Finishing second at the Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Titles earlier this year, Williams showed her prestige in the near-perfect conditions at Town Beach, accruing a sensational total heat score of 14.15 (out of a possible 20).

Having received a wildcard into the event, Williams, a three-time Australian Champion certainly made the most of her late call-up.

Dean Krestensen (Mullawarra, NSW) carving his way into the next round of competition at the Oxbow Australian Longboard Titles

Selby Riddle, Georgie Roach and Rosie Locke also progressed through to the next round, demonstrating the abundance of world-class talent currently permeating throughout Australian female longboarding.

Representing the elder statesmen it was Peter Hudson (Port Macquarie, NSW) who displayed silky skills en-route to his round one victory in the Over 55 division.
Surfing on his home-break, Hudson racked up one of the highest single-wave scores of the day – a 7.50 point ride (out of a possible 10) – which saw him displaying the full gamut of manoeuvres.