Save Sandon Surf Fesitval 2007 review
The best surfing event in Wollongong EVER. A big call i know but just take a look at some of the photos and videos. After postponing the festival on Saturday due to the cyclonic conditions, Sunday greeted us with solid 8-10feet waves with favourable winds. The call was made to go ahead knowing that Monday was predicted to be all time.

The open men got things under way in some very testing conditions, with lots of water moving around and defintely letting competitors know who was boss. A few to tame some wild beasts with unbelievable surfing, some of the best this region has ever seen were: Jackson Forbes, Christian De Clouett, Adam Thomas, Nik Squires, Mat Noferi, Luke Nolan, Greg Beatie, Micheal Hopkins, Haden Blair and Guy Bartlett.

Alan Reid

The over 35's and under 18's were next in the water with standouts in the over 35's being Ben Anderson, Craig Morris, Chris Stewart and Jeremy Smith stamping himself as the one to beat.

Defintely the highlight of the under 18's was Tom Salveson from Gerringong who scored the events first perfect 10 with a couple of massive full rail turns and a great tube ride. Others who deserve mention for their efforts in the challenging conditions were Taylor Byrne, Tim Billman, Jesse Allen, Coby Nau and Phill Watt jnr.

Jeremey Smith

With the surf cleaning up as the day progressed with some beautiful, solid 10 footers still rolling through we were straight into the open mens quarter finals and the under 18's semis. The standard of surfing on display was absolutely sensational with the guys putting it all on the line, many spectacular wipeouts were followed by equally spectacular ride that went the entire lenghth of the point with some competitors stepping off on the sand.

Chistian De Clouett and Adam Thomas eliminated an unlucky Jackson Forbes in the first. Nik Squires and Jeremy Smith were through from the second after Mat Noferi took off on some massive waves from really deep that unfortunatley didn't wall up for him. Greg Beatie and Luke Nolan were through from the third quarter and the last was one of the heats of the day with Micheal Hopkins dominating from Luke Nolan eliminating Guy Bartlett and Haden Blair.

Greg

The under 18's semis were the last in the wateron Sunday with Tom Salveson and Taylor Byrne progressing to the final along with Jesse Allen and Jack Hobbs who was also surfing in thr under 15's division.

The predictions were for the surf to drop slightly and clean up with perfect WSW winds. But no-one could imagine it being as perfect as it was. Absolutely immaculate 6-8feet barrelling waves. We had Dane Henderson on the jet ski on water patrol and with many locals involved in the organising and running of the event the water was cleared with much appreciation.

The surfing on display on Monday the 11th of June 2007 will be rembered for a long time to come. Many old stalwarts were calling it the best day of competion ever at Sandon Point. The over 35's were first in with some great waves ridden, but as a large crowd assembled on the hill the open mens semi finalists put on a show that was truely something special. Any surfer in the semis would have been a worthy champion.

Leroy Davies

Semi final 1 saw Christian De Clouett dominate ahead of a tight tussle between Jeremy Smith who squeaked past a barnstorming Adam Thomas with Nik Squires scoring one very high score but coming up one wave short. Next saw a rampaging Micheal Hopkins pull into some amazing tube rides, two on one wave, Hoppo was absolutely taking the place apart, but also paid the price with one super heavy wipeout. Like Nolan beat his brother Mat into second with Greg Beatie fourth.

The under 15's took to Sandon Point with gusto and produced some great performances. Standouts not to make the final included Doug Chandler, Troy Jordan, Dane Kettle and Leroy Davis with special mention to Angus Mackay who at only 12 had a good go competing against the older kids in the big conditions.

Finals time, the Under 20 girls put on a good show with Misha Harrison winning ahead of Maeve Birdsall and Ayla Whittney. Open women was won by Evonne Byron from Carmen Boucher and Ayla Whittney.

Jesse Allen

The over 45's had a ball surfing together with some great comradery shown. 4th was Steve Matrinez from Phill Watt with Steve Sugden 2nd scoring a couple of tube rides along the way, and winning in impressive form with a great familt cheer squad behind him was Keith Miller.

Under 15's results were 4th place Brett Connellan, 3rd place was Josh Watt, 2nd went to Jack Hobbs from the very impressive Justin Arnold from Gerringong. The standard was very high with all the finalists really attacking the powerful Sandon Point break.

The over 35's was close for the minor places with Wollongong's Mr. perpetual motion Craig Morris 4th, Keith Miller backing up from the over 45's was 3rd, Jason Gava 2nd from a dominating tube riding display from the stylish Jeremy Smith.

Phill Watt JNR

The under 18's standard was very high, Taylor Byrne was 4th after a great tube ride but unfortunately was scored an interferance, Jesse Allen was 3rd with some big powerful moves ahead of the ever improving Jack Hobbs who also competed in the under 15 division. Man of the moment Tom Salveson was 1st with scores of 9.5 and 9.7 to completly dominate the under 18 division.

The main event was next with the surf still pumping in the 6-8feet range. Big tube rides and huge open face critical rail turns were the order of the day. Jeremy Smith was 4th after taking out the over 35's, 3rd was an unlucky Christian De Clouett, 2nd was Micheal Hopkins after winning every heat proir to the final, Hoppo was pipped by the consistent performance of Luke Nolan. Luke pulled off two fantastic tube rides and combining big powerful arcing turns all the way from the outside through to the inside boatshed section and was crowned a worthy and popular champion.

This may be you see you next year at Wollongongs Premier Event

The general concensus was that the 2007 Save Sandon Point Surf Festival was the best ever in Wollongong. Great surf, big crowds and an extremely high standard of surfing showing that a lot more local talent could match it with the best guys in the world if given a few more opportunities.

A great presentation followed with young Paddy King winning the Indonesian surf charter boat Surf Desert Storm package and local lad Ben Jarvis going home with a brand new Rip Curl E-bomb steamer valued at $580.

Everyone has raved about the event, Sandon Point really turned it on, the local community really got behind it showing that community spirit is alive and strong at Sandon Point. The important motto of surfers respecting and caring about our environment and heritage was taken on board by everyone who attended. A special thanks to the organisers, sponsors, local community and everyone who made it the best event EVER.

Thank You, see you again next year.
Jason Gava and crew