A record 245 competitors battle difficult conditions as part of popular Surf Craft Challenge in Albany

A record number of competitors converged on Princess Royal Harbour for the 2022 Albany Surf Craft Challenge, held in wet conditions on Sunday morning. A total of 245 participants took part in the event across the 35 surf boats, 14 double skis and 42 single skis that hit the water. The popular event took place in challenging conditions as competitors braved big southerly swell and winds on their voyage towards Middleton Beach. A 2km beach run was held after the water race, to conclude the event run by the Albany Surf Life Saving Club. North Cottesloe bounced back from last year’s defeat to regain their stranglehold as North Cottesloe Clarky’s put in a dominant performance, winning the Whale Tail Trophy in the open men’s division with a time of 1hr.6min.43secs, nearly five minutes ahead of their nearest competitor. Albany Old Kelpies (1:12.25) were second and Coogee Beach Stokers (1:17.52) third. In the open women’s division, The Sorrento Gypseas (1:17.27) were comfortable winners ahead of City Assassins (1:21.47) and Cottesloe Cheeky Chicks (1:23.30). Albany’s Fat Gannets (1:16.29) finished first in the boats 160+ women’s, followed by Wedgetails (1:18.15) and Scarboro Storm (1:21.10). In the boats 160+ men’s division, City Black cruised to the finish line with a time of 1:06.47 while Cottesloe Muppets (1:08.50) and Quinns Mindarie (1:14.25) were second and third respectively. Jeremy Doney (59min.59secs) finished just under the hour mark in the open men’s ski division as Noah Boldy (1:02.02) and Kieran Peters (1:02.38) rounded out the top three. Amanda Lee (1:10.11) pipped Jade Lane (1:12.39) and Nicole Jahn (1:17.40) in the open women’s ski. Lee McGovern came out on top in the open men’s 55+ ski race while Morgan Boldy (1:07.15) won the men’s under-19 ski category. Pamela Bubrzychi (1:23.32) and Harriet Brown (1:12.30) took top honours in the open women’s 55+ and women’s under-19 ski races respectively. In the double-ski category, Brendan Downes and Connor Jacob (1:02.31) finished ahead of second-placed Steve Bird and Abbie Loraine while Harry Alliss and Tim Hyde rounded out the top three. Johan Szymanski won the 2km open men’s run and Joanna Lloyd notched first place in the open women’s 2km. Hugo Marsden and Amelia Boldy won the under-13 boys and girls 2km run respectively. ASLSC thanked the competitors who made the event a special day, highlighting the terrific support of local sponsors, club volunteers and Albany Sea Rescue.