James Murphy
THE 55th Robe Easter Classic will draw in top surfing talent from the Limestone Coast and beyond when challengers hit the water this weekend.
Surfers will take the sandy track out to the iconic Stony Rise break for a chance at the annual honours.
The event never fails to attract a good crowd on one of Robe’s busiest times of the year and organiser Sam Woolston said everything was in order for the competition.
The only unknown at the time of print was whether it would be held on Saturday or Sunday.
“We are just trying to pick the day for the weather now – it keeps changing,” Woolston said.
“Sunday looks like less rain, but if the rain backs off it could be Saturday.”
Neither day appears to have perfect conditions, but Woolston said it would not take away from the standard of competition.
“The last five years have been bluebird perfect – obviously we are going to get a dirty one here or there,” he said.
“It doesn’t really matter anyways – the good guys can surf in anything.”
Unlike previous events, this year will feature a single Open class and all competitors will battle against each other.
There will also be an opening for a new champion, with 2021 and 2022 winner Finn Barry from Torquay under an injury cloud.
“He is coming back but he has blown his knee out,” Woolston said.
“He is still coming down and he was waiting on a doctor’s report, but I think he might be out.
“He was pretty devastated because he wanted to go for the three-peat.”
Surfers will travel from across South Australia and interstate for the event, joining the thousands of tourists who flock to the seaside town for the Easter Long Weekend.
“We have a few local groms, a few groms from Victoria and a few of the usual crew,” Woolston said.
At the time of print entries were at 34 out of 40, with a packed field expected.
Barry’s shot at a title defence is under doubt and as such there will be a number of surfers keen on claiming the top prize.
“Max Longhurst has won it a couple of times and he was a very close runner-up to Finn last year,” Woolston said.
“Luke Sykora has won it before and Khi Williams is in it and he is pretty handy as well.
“Then Marcus Eldridge from Portland has been very close to winning it – I think he has gotten a third, a fourth and a second.”
On the local scene Robe’s Ben Legoe will be out to impress, while Ben Harris won the best local category last year and will be out to back up his efforts.
“Then we have Harry Hooper and a couple of the new local groms like Flynn Peel and Kaiden Carter,” Woolston said.
“There is a bit of a young generation coming through.”
The competition will be judged by South East surfing identities Steve McArthur, Brett Wilson and Sean Cowling.
On site catering will keep spectators and surfers fed and watered, with Mug on the Run and West Beach Cantina supplying the goods.
