(Sunday 27th May, 2007): Breakthrough Mullaway sensation James Athorn has powered to victory in the Dripping Wet Pro at Curl Curl Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, overcoming a super strong field to move to a very comfortable lead position on the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit.

In small but clean waves, the stylish 21 year old natural footer powered his way through the draw remaining undefeated to the Final where he faced former ASP World Tour surfer and Dee Why local Toby Martin, defending Dripping Wet Pro champ Paul Evans of Manly and rising Pro Junior star Alex Chacon of Avalon.

Dominating the Final from the outset, Athorn opened strongly posting a 6.0 to move to a comfortable lead. Martin replied with an equally impressive ride to move within striking distance of Athorn.

Athorn however found an inside right that walled up perfectly for him to move into a series of critical forehand turns to lock in a 7.5 to extend his lead.

“I was feeling pretty confident going into the Final and my first good wave held up nicely allowing me to link a few good turns,” said Athorn. “I knew I needed another high scoring backup ride to get over the top of Toby and was lucky to get a good right hander that walled up nicely for me!”

With Chacon and Evans finding it hard to get into rhythm, the Final was left to Athorn and Martin to battle for victory. Martin required a good to excellent range score and despite giving his all in the dying minutes, could not find the score he required, leaving victory for Athorn.

“James surfed really well all day and had control of the Final from the outset,” said Martin. “I knew I could get the score required if I got a decent wave in the final minutes but unfortunately I couldn’t get one”

For his victory, Athorn took home $1,200 and the maximum 1500 ratings points which now sees him open a strong lead on the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit, sitting 425 points clear of the current #2 rated Drew Courtney, who failed to backup his good result at the Saltwater Wine Surf Classic.

A pleased Athorn will now rejoin the World Qualifying Series with great confidence with his very good recent form.

“I’m stoked with my win here at Curl Curl, especially after the fourth I got at Old Bar,” said Athorn. “It is a real confidence booster surfing against quality guys like Toby Martin, Drew Courtney and Paul Evans. “I’m now focusing on finishing in the top 100 on the WQS this year and also maintaining my Hurley NSW Championship Circuit lead to take out the bonus $1,000 at the end of the year.”

Dripping Wet Pro Contest Director Adam Hennessey was impressed with Athorn’s performance commenting, “James was a deserved winner of the event, he has improved immensely and this is showing not only on the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit, but on the WQS where he is really making his presence felt.”

The Junior Boys Division saw some epic battles go down but it was Cronulla’s Joe Sear who dominated the Final to win over Manly’s Ben Hamilton in second, Sam Patterson of Killarney Vale in third and North Narrabeen’s Davey Cathels in fourth.

In the Cadet Boys, it was Davey Cathels who was too strong despite a very strong charge from Maroubra’s Max Ayshford who placed second, with Gorokin’s Troy Skillin third and Parker Graham of Harbord fourth.

Meanwhile, the Grommet Boys division showed the depth in NSW junior surfing with Saxon Lumsden (Chittaway Point) taking out a tight Final from Merewether’s Jake Sylvester in second, North Narrabeen’s Cooper Chapman in third and Tylah Hutchinson in fourth.

After two epic events, the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit now takes a break until the Hurley NSW Open presented by Triple Bull at Cronulla in early August.

The Dripping Wet Pro is proudly supported by the Harbord Beach Hotel, Hurley, Australia’s Surfing Life and Surfing NSW.

www.drippingwetsurf.com.au

Final Results:

Open Men’s
1st James Athorn (Mullaway) $1,200 1500 pts
2nd Toby Martin (Dee Why) $700 1290 pts
3rd Alex Chacon (Avalon) $600 1095 pts
4th Paul Evans (Manly) $500 1005 pts

Junior Boy’s
1st Joe Sear (Cronulla)
2nd Ben Hamilton (Manly)
3rd Sam Patterson (Killarney Vale)
4th Davey Cathels (North Narrabeen)

Cadet Boy’s
1st Davey Cathels (North Narrabeen)
2nd Max Ayshford (Maroubra)
3rd Troy Skillin (Gorokin)
4th Parker Graham (Harbord)

Grommet Boy’s
1st Saxon Lumsden (Chittaway Bay)
2nd Jake Sylvester (Mereweather)
3rd Cooper Chapman (North Narrabeen)
4th Tylah Hutchinson

The Hurley NSW Championship Circuit schedule:

Saltwater Wine Surf Classic, 12-13 May, 2007 at Old Bar (NSW Mid North Coast)
Dripping Wet Pro, 26-27 May, 2007 at Freshwater Beach (Sydney’s Northern Beaches)
Hurley NSW Open presented by Triple Bull, 10-11 August, 2007 at Cronulla
Sanbah Mattara Pro, 8-9 September, 2007 at Newcastle
Zink Surf South Coast Open, 12-14 October at Werri Beach (NSW South Coast)