Breakthrough title for Daniel Bolt, back-to-back victories for Pemba Spargo at senior Wavefest

Local surfer Daniel Bolt broke through for his maiden victory in the open men’s division at the senior Wavefest competition held at the weekend. The popular event run by Albany Boardriders returned this year with more than 50 surfers from Esperance, Bremer Bay, Albany and Denmark taking part. Bolt has made the open men’s final five times previously, with his best finish being third before he broke the drought on Sunday. He has competed in Wavefest from a junior up to seniors for close to 20 years, and claimed a winning double this year, also taking out the over-35s final. Bolt said it was a fantastic event. “It’s great to see the club in such good shape with a strong turnout for the open men’s with a mix of young grommets and older souls,” he said. “Conditions in the final were slow and luck played a big part. “The Boardriders put on another great event and it’s nice to crack the win after close to 20 years trying.” Meanwhile, talented surfer Pemba Spargo made it back-to-back victories in the open women’s category. Spargo won the women’s title back in 2019 and again prevailed in a shoot-out with current under-14 national champion and Denmark local Isi Campbell. Sascha Roberts finished third, and Lauren Ware was fourth, but they were not able to stop the high-quality battle between Spargo and Campbell, with the victor saying she was rapt to win in such good company. The event was held at Muttonbird Beach on Saturday, with 14 heats surfed in the open men’s competition, including quarterfinals, while three round one heats of the over-35s were also held in clean but rather large surf. Ocean Beach was the location for the second day of the event with clean but smallish waves on offer. The swell peaked perfectly for the open men’s and women’s finals and provided a great spectacle for viewers. Bolt won a very close 35-minute final in the open men’s comp, with the top four each being separated by half a point. He defeated Denmark young gun Jacob Crimes, while Owen Thomas and Jeff Lee filled third and fourth respectively. Bolt won the over-35s final ahead of Thomas and Lee, while Jefferson Doil was fourth. Paul Dupuy continues to impress on the waves, taking out the over-50s win ahead of Adrian Shephard. Adam Wheeler downed Scott Chandler and Brendan Williams to claim the over-45 men’s title, while Davynka Moss won the women’s over-30 final.