Thread: World Surf Moto and Aussie Surf Titles

Third IJSBA Yamaha Moto Surf World Championships

May 4, 2008, Kingscliff, Australia
Check out some amazing video clips :

• Heat One Pro Runabout (2 Megs)
• Heat One Pro Ski (2 Megs)

The International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA), along with the Australian Jet Sports Boating Association (AJSBA) has completed the third annual World Championships of Moto Surf. This event is the competition of Personal Watercraft racing in surf conditions. This year's event was hosted by the Jet Ski Club of Brisbane (JSCB) who opted to hold the race in the town of Kingscliff. Yamaha was on board to make sure that the event was to be the best it could be.

Anthony Antees Leads Pro Runabout

There were a lot of familiar faces at the Moto Surf World Championships. Previous year Motosurf competitors and the Aussie contingent that frequents Lake Havasu's World Finals were ready to handle anything the surf could deal to them. It appeared, however, that the surf may have not been ready for the racers. The original location for the event was so pummeled by heavy surf that the beach washed into the ocean in between the time the location was established and the event was held. A replacement location, normally ripe with good surf, washed up a great deal of new sand just before settling to quite calm conditions on the day of the event. The biggest waves were just around 5 feet (1.5 meters in local measurements).

Crowd Gathering on the peninsula

The one cool thing about this predicament was that the washed up sand created this great sandbar which was fully functional just after high tide. The sandbar formed a lagoon between the starting area and the beach where everyone was pitting. There was even an opening that allowed competitors to ride in and out of the competition area. What nature took away in terms of an original location and challenging surf, it made up for it by making one of the coolest starting and spectator areas ever seen at a surf event.

Die Hard Sport Class Competitor on the WB 800

PWC Racers aren't ones to give less than 100% intensity. Despite an absence of the grueling conditions anticipated, the competition was fierce and provided for a handy mix of upsets and triumphs. If anything, the racing was tighter as those not yet seasoned for heavy surf were able to throw more competition at the veterans of the wave heavy events.

A 96 XP modified for extreme surf freestyle

This may have provided for one of the biggest upsets in the history of Motosurf as well as the recent traditions in Australian venues. Tony Grey has been the reigning Pro Ski Open champion since the inception of the event. He also has been adept at keeping a particular young challenger at bay for Australian National Titles. This year would be different. The no longer up-and-coming Jake Barker rode three flawless motos to have a perfect 180 point score and sew up his first World Championship. Ryan O'Keefe would hold second place down in points until the final moto when Grey's second place finish would produce a final tally a few points ahead.

Ross Moore and Susan Lutrell conduct the riders' meeting

Pro Runabout also bucked tradition. Anthony Antees had been unsuccessful in his prior two attempts at a Motosurf World Championship. Plagued by bad luck and mechanical failures in years past, the 2007 Kings Cup Champion would also ride three perfect motos to finally earn the prize he had sought since the beginning of the event's history. This win would provide extra motivation for Antees' first World Finals attempt this year. Last year's champion, Jeff McNevin- still faithful to his Yamaha GPR 1200- put up a valiant fight but was unable to return to the podium due to the disciplined efforts of Scott Philips and Ricky Lamprecht. The speeds were intense from start to finish of each moto.
Amateur Ski Open competitor Jamie Ward was on track for three perfect motos until Michael McGettrick pulled the win in the last race. Ward would still finish with Dale Honey a close second and Bobby Ervin in third. Amateur Runabout Open would have a three moto sweep earned by Stephen Simpson with Colin Luckman (it took every bit of restraint I had not to make a pun here) in a close second in each race. Simon McDermott also went perfect in Pro/Am Ski Lites with Michael Stevens and Mick Lampard fighting fiercely for second place. Other winners included Jared Martin in Sport Modified and Shane Stuart in Pro/Am Runabout Stock.

Setting up for the event

The beach certainly took notice of 2007 IJSBA World Champion, Kylie Ellmers. Ellmers would be the final racer to pull a three moto sweep. Her flawless racing in Pro/Am Women's Ski put a great deal of distance between herself and Renae Ball and Deb Barker who took home second and third respectively. Kylie also pulled a solid second place in Pro/Am Runabout Stock even winning the final moto. She also took home third place in Amateur Runabout Open.

Tony Grey's trusty Octane

This was a most excellent event which is no surprise as the Aussies are a very cool bunch of people. This isn't just flattery of the hosts, either. Australian events rank among the highest in sportsmanship and the demeanor in the pits and the starting line is among the friendliest I have ever seen. Something that was really noteworthy was the amount of couples that showed up to this event together. Husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends showed up as a pair and were their partner's primary pit assistant. This is a large underscore of what a great sharing experience we have in the sport of PWC racing.
The JSCB did an excellent job of handling last minute changes. Yamaha, Worx, and Slippery can certainly be proud of what they sponsored. Congratulations are due to all the competitors and the IJSBA looks forward to bringing you news of the next Motosurf World Championship as soon as it is available.

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