Cronulla, NSW (Monday 13 August, 2007): Northern Beaches World Qualifying Series stalwart Beau Mitchell (Manly) powered his way to victory at Cronulla on the weekend at the Hurley NSW Open Presented by Triple Bull, posting a strong win in the Final against Mid North Coast surfer Ben Godwin (Forster).

In high performance 0.5-1m waves at ‘Green Hills’ Cronulla, Mitchell was too good for Godwin in the man-on-man final, leading from the outset after going to town on a long right hander which saw the stocky goofy footer unleash his strong vertical backhand attack. Mitchell was duly rewarded with a near perfect 9.5!

Godwin tried hard to find form but was unable to sniff out the long walling waves that offered maximum scoring potential and was left in a near unattainable combination situation after Mitchell secured a strong 6.5 back up wave.

“I was a little rattled with Beau opening up with that 9.5 and then backing it up with a good range score,” said Godwin of the Final. “I was confident though that if I found the right wave I could get within striking distance of him, but I just couldn’t find the right wave.”

“I’m stoked with my second place here,” said Godwin of his result. “I was happy with the way I surfed and I really looking forward to competing on my home breaks for the Aussie Titles.”

An ecstatic Mitchell, who has twice finished runner-up in the event in recent years, took home $2,000 for his win and has etched his name on the Hurley NSW Open honour roll. Mitchell will also hold top seed position for the Australian Open Surfmasters at Forster in early September.

“I’m stoked to finally win a NSW Title, I’ve finished runner-up in this event a couple of times and also got a second a number of years ago in the Under 18s, so to win the Hurley NSW Open is a great feeling!” said Mitchell of his win. “I haven’t been surfing a whole lot lately as I’ve been injured so to get on a bit of a roll today and find my rhythm again was great and fortunately I peaked in the final.”

“I’m looking forward to competing at the Australian Titles and hopefully I can get the double with a strong performance at Forster!” said Mitchell. “Normally I’d be in Europe for the WQS, but I’ll be able to concentrate hard on the Aussie Titles and perform well.”

An in-form Tim Wrench (Ulladulla) finished equal 3rd along with Illawarra dark horse Michael Hopkins after both bowed out of the event after respective Semi Final losses to Godwin and Mitchell. Wrench and Hopkins will join Mitchell and Godwin in the NSW Team at the Australian Open Surfmasters. Also qualifying for the team were Quarter Finalists Duncan McNicol (Newcastle), Christo Hall (Mona Vale), Bobby Frith (Old Bar) and Mitchel Ross (Newcastle).

With Event #3 of the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit (NSWCC) now decided, positions in the top 10 of the ratings are still very close. James Athorn still holds the top position; however Ben Godwin and Beau Mitchell have made a serious charge to move into 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The Hurley NSWCC now moves to Newcastle for the Sanbah Mattara Classic on September 8-9 and then down the NSW coast to Werri Beach for the Zink Surf South Coast Open in mid October.

The Hurley NSW Open Presented by Triple Bull was proudly supported by Rydges Hotel Cronulla, Quest Apartments Cronulla, Surfing NSW, Australia’s Surfing Life and Electric Visual.

Final Results:

1st - Beau Mitchell $2,000 1500 points
2nd - Ben Godwin $1,000 1290 points
=3rd - Michael Hopkins $500 1095 points
=3rd - Tim Wrench $500 1095 points

special thanks to surfingnsw.com