Competitors from across WA hit the harbour for annual Albany Surf Craft Challenge in pristine conditions

A strong contingent of participants hit the water for the 2023 Albany Surf Craft Challenge in stunning conditions on Sunday.

Several metro and regional clubs from across WA completed their voyage from Princess Royal Harbour towards Middleton Beach as part of the popular annual event.

More than 200 people took part, with about 30 boats and 50 surf skis hitting the water in several divisions.

A 2km beach run was held after the water race to conclude the event run by the Albany Surf Life Saving Club.

North Cottesloe made it back-to-back wins in the open men’s boats division to claim the coveted Whale Tail Trophy.

The North Cottesloe Uppies crossed the finish line with a time of 1hr. 2min.7sec.

North Cottesloe had more representation in third place, with North Cott Broke Back (1:04:33) rounding out the top three.

In the open women’s division, North Cott Impact made it a double for their club with a strong win to claim the women’s Whale Tail Trophy, pipping Sorrento Vitamen Sea (1:09:26) in second and Usain Boat (1:13:01) in third.

In the boats 160+ women’s division, Albany Wedgetails (1:11:45) finished on top ahead of Coogee Chooks (1:12:34) and Sorrento Black (1:12:36), while City Black (1:03:57) won the top gong in the boats 180+ competition ahead of Cottesloe Muppets (1:04:35) and Old Boys Trigg (1:10:31).

Mullaloo’s The Little Mermaids (1:18:04) put together a dominant display in the under-19 boats division ahead of Sorrento Sprakkars (1:19:35) and Slay Onions (1:21:32).

Nick Walker (1:00:58) was the comprehensive winner in the skis open men’s race, finishing just under five minutes ahead of his nearest competitor Marcel Bairol (1:05:46) and Beau Lewis (1:06:00).

Nicole Jahn (1:14:04) edged out Amy Teal (1:15:50) and Claudia Ketteringham (1:18:30) in the open women’s skis division.

Lee McGovern came out on top in the open men’s 55+ ski race, while Pamela Bubrzychi claimed the top spot in the open women’s 55+ category.

Marsbird (1:00:15) finished just over the hour mark in the open double ski category ahead of Young Guns (1:00:50) and Skinny and Ali (1:03:34).

Bresa’s (1:00.56) won the mixed double ski division in front of Maui & Duke (1:04:59) and Tsunami (1:05.37).

Rachel Bresanello and Jason Bresanello won the 2km run in the open women’s and men’s divisions respectively.