Hiatt and Laity claim titles at the VicRoads Victorian Scholastic Titles presented by Metricon and Play It Safe By The Water.

(Phillip Island, VIC – Saturday 19th May, 2012): Walter Hiatt has been crowned the Victorian U/19 Scholastic Champion after taking a come from behind victory in shifting 4 ft (1.5 meter) conditions at Woolamai beach.

Hiatt,

representing Wonthaggi Secondary College, overcame a strong start from Francis Meade (Wonthaggi Secondary College) and Tom Antonie (The Penninsula School) to claim the prestigious Scholastic Title.

Meade opened the 20 minute final with an excellent 8.67 score (out of a possible 10), which was soon followed by Antonie with a near perfect 9.33 ride.

Both surfers were unable to secure strong back up scores in the challenging lineup, while the ever-consistent Hiatt used his local knowledge to secure a 6.53 in the final five minutes of the final, his two wave total of 13.5 (out of a possible 20) proving just enough to surpass Meade and Antonie.

“I am really happy to win here at the VicRoads Victorian Scholastic Titles” said Hiatt.

“There were some really good waves out there, but they were hard to find.”

“I knew Francis and Tom had one really good wave each and were struggling to find a back up, I saw an opportunity to build a solid two wave total and fortunately for me the boys fell just short”.

Antonie finished in second position, with Grant Williams and Francis Meade finishing in third and fourth position respectively.

In the U/19 girls division South Gippsland College’s Kelly Laity continued on from the form that saw her win the U/18 Victorian Title this year to take the crown from Matilda Mclellan (Toorak College).

“It is great to be able to win not only for myself, but for my school” said Laity.

“I was really lucky to pick off a couple of running lefts, I am really happy with this result”.

In third position was Tabby Vockler (The Penninsula School). Fourth position went to Ruby Campbell (SEDA / Grovedale College).

In the U/16 boys, the competitive rivalry between best friends Cody Robinson (Christian College Geelong) and Joe van Dijk (Newhaven College) continued to grow.

As was a trend throughout the day, van Dijk was unable to lock in a second big score to overcome Robinson.

Robinson, the current Victorian U/16 champion, executed a series of committed manoevers on two set waves to lock in the winning heat total.

“I knew that I had to be smart out there, there were some really good waves, they were just hard to find” said an elated Robinson.

“Joe is one of my best mates and I love to compete against him, he really pushes me and I am super stoked to take the cake from him today”.

The U/16 girls division was also a close tussle, with Zoe Clarke (Christian College Geelong) edging out Jemima Hutchins (Geelong College).

Finishing in third place was Bonnie Mullins (Wonthaggi Secondary College) with Courtney Dunlop (Wonthaggi Secondary College) placing fourth.

The U/13 boys and girls divisions were both relocated to the safer location of Smiths Beach.

Reveling in the cleaner and more manageable conditions was Fergus Willet (Star Of The Sea).

Willet locked in two great scores mid way through the final, finding some of the longest rides of the day.

The win was a first for Willet, who was ecstatic at the presentations.

“I think this might be the first contest I have ever won” Willet said.

“I will take a lot of confidence from my win today”.

Willet finished ahead of Sam Harris (Geelong College). Codie Jeffrey (Newhaven Primary School) and Jan Luedtke (Bayswater South Primary School) finished in third and fourth positions respectively.

The U/13 girls were another hotly contested final.

Not deterred by the stormy ocean and cold weather, the girls surfed with experience beyond their years.

Piper Harrison (The Penninsula School) continued her dominance of Victorian junior surfing, taking out the final ahead of the rapidly improving Sophie Fletcher (Newhaven College).

The Paterson sisters from San Remo Primary School found some great linking rides, with Shayla placing third ahead of Lainie.

The Victorian Scholastic titles are supported by VicRoads, Metricon and Play It Safe By The Water.

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