SYDNEY, Feb 16 – Ego Platinum Austinmer and Manly Warringah Credit Union Queenscliff both claimed back-to-back Evive Ocean Thunder Surfboat series titles at Dee Why Beach on Saturday in equally remarkable circumstances.

Austinmer confirmed their dominance of the Ocean Thunder professional series with a resounding fourth round victory in difficult 1m conditions to net a deserved $40,000 pay day. 

While the women’s crew from Queenscliff produced their second come-from-behind series victory over the Manly Aluminium Windows South Curl Curl team after their northern beaches rivals rolled in a dramatic semi-final to gift the defending champions another title.  

Led by experienced sweep Jack Patison, Austinmer completed their rout of the 2007-2008 series with a comfortable round win – their first of the season after three previous top four placings.

Austinmer secured their second Ocean Thunder series with 91 points, ahead of rivals Skilled Services Avoca Beach (82 points) and Reilly & Sons Food Services Warriewood (73).

Austinmer claimed the title once Avoca Beach were eliminated in the semi-final, and in doing so collected $5000 for winning the series plus a brand new NR Perry Surfboat valued at $25,000. 

But their best performance was still to come as the crew of Aaron Greenhalgh, Sebastien James, Steven Drysdale and Mark Davies romped home in the five boat final to claim the $10,000 winner’s cheque. 

Sandran Whale Beach placed second in the final, closely followed by Warriewood to complete a trifecta for NSW crews with PCL-Panz Jan Juc fourth and Stockland Currumbin in fifth. 

Austinmer erupted into celebrations after crossing the finish line, elated to shed the consistency tag with a truly dominant win that was never in doubt. 

The crew had reached 11 of the past 12 Ocean Thunder finals over three years, but winning today was without doubt their best achievement. 

“We knew we won the series before we went into the final so to win that race meant a lot to us,” said Patison.  We are very consistent but we wanted to prove that we are good too.  I’ve won an Australian title … it is equally as good a feeling.” 

Patison thanked his team’s sponsor Ego Platinum for helping them compete in the elite series, and praised under 23 rower Corey Jackson who was a superb reserve rower for the team and coach Davies who stepped in as a replacement after second bowman Adam Prentice was forced out of the crew due to work commitments earlier in the series. 

“I think we’ve achieved something this year. We had a mishap with one of our rowers and our coach stepped in and has been rowing with us,” said Patison. 

“(Davies) is 47 years of age and he is the fittest guy in the crew. To be honest we had to step up to Mark’s ability in training and fitness and the boys have matched it.   

“The organisation behind this series to get the top 24 crews here is amazing and all the sponsors make it so special. 

“You are racing the best and you’ve got the best officials, the best of everything here.

“You’ve got the best sponsors, you can’t do anything without money these days so to all sponsors out there, especially E Platinum our sponsor, we could not ask for anything more. They’ve been great to us.” 

The women’s series was also decided in the tense semi-finals. 

Queenscliff fought back from last place to progress to the final in a thrilling sprint finish and then leaders South Curl Curl rolled their boat on the way out to sea in the second semi to get disqualified and hand their rivals the title. 

It was a heartbreaking case of déjà vu as South Curl Curl led into last year’s series finale but flipped out of contention in the heavy surf handing the series crown to Queenscliff. 

Queenscliff’s second place in the final enough for them to jump to 78 points and claim the $2000 series win, ahead of South Curl Curl (72 points) with PCL-Panz Jan Juc (66 points) third. 

The result particularly pleasing for Queenscliff who called Haidee Stephen into the crew as a late replacement for injured stroke Amanda Salmon (back) only days before racing. 

“It’s awesome to win the series. It’s unexpected because we did not make the final last round after getting hit by the waves,” said second stroke Elle Pannowitz. 

“I guess the surf gods were with us today.  It is a dream come true, absolutely awesome.  It is a good result (second in the final) considering we have had two sessions with Haidee this week.  “We are pretty happy with the result, we are pretty buggered and know we didn’t row our best but we are still pretty happy with it.  “This for us is good preparation towards Aussies.” 

The irony of losing the title for the second time in a row to Queenscliff wasn’t lost on devastated South Curl Curl bow Lara Raymond. 

“It’s a case of déjà vu,” said Raymond.  “Every time in the Ocean Thunder at this final round we crash out.  “Oh well, more luck for us at Aussies (Australian surf life saving championships).” 

In a tight final The Surf Club Mooloolaba overcame a mid-race collision with Skilled Services Avoca Beach to claim victory, book-ending the series after winning the opening round last November. 

Mooloolaba collected $3000 for the win as series runners-up Queenscliff finished in second place, with Avoca Beach third and PCL-Panz Jan Juc in fourth place. 

Mooloolaba sweep Grant Cooper congratulated his women – Zoe Gamble, Sara Campbell, Sheryl Beaumont and Michelle Millsom - for claiming another important round win heading towards the Australian championships in Western Australia next month. 

“We won the first won and this one. The surf played a big part in the middle two (rounds) but we weren’t too worried about that,” said Cooper. 

“At the end of the day we want the nationals. We know we’re out of the point score here but we just wanted to get back into the game. 

“We love these conditions and know we’re strong enough for it and I think our fitness came down to it in the end and that helped us out immensely. The girls have been going since July (2007) so that is a big base they’ve got.” 

Results from the fourth and final round of the Evive Ocean Thunder surfboat series at Dee Why beach today: 

Men

Round: Ego Platinum Austinmer (NSW), Sandran Whale Beach (NSW), Reilly & Sons Food Services Warriewood (NSW), PCL-Panz Jan Juc (VIC), Stockland Currumbin (QLD), Skilled Services Avoca Beach (NSW), York Linings Dixon Park (NSW), Universal Resorts Bronte (NSW), Pure Blonde North Cottesloe (WA), e-Go Pacific Palms (NSW), Evive Ego E Batt (NSW), Ozwide Loans Bulli (NSW), Certe Group Whale Beach (NSW), Rubelli South Curl Curl (NSW), Martha Cove Rosebud (VIC), Dial B4 You Dig Moruya (NSW), The Surf Club Mooloolaba (QLD), R-Marine Salt (NSW), Byron Bay Premium Ale Elouera (NSW), Your Style North Curl Curl (NSW), Hogs Breath Rainbow Bay (QLD), Cable Cage Manly (NSW), Slattery Half Moon Bay (VIC), Skilled Avalon Beach (NSW)

Series: Ego Platinum Austinmer (NSW) 91 points, Skilled Services Avoca Beach (NSW) 82, Reilly & Sons Food Services Warriewood (NSW) 73, Sandran Whale Beach (NSW) 70, PCL-Panz Jan Juc (VIC) 69, Ozwide Loans Bulli (NSW) 68, Pure Blonde North Cottesloe (WA) 67, e-Go Pacific Palms (NSW) 65, Your Style North Curl Curl (NSW) 64, York Linings Dixon Park (NSW) 55, Stockland Currumbin (QLD) 52, Ego E Batt (NSW) 50, Universal Resorts Bronte (NSW) 47, Rubelli South Curl Curl (NSW) 46, Byron Bay Premium Ale Elouera (NSW) 44.5, The Surf Club Mooloolaba (QLD) 44.5, Cable Cage Manly (NSW) 36, Hogs Breath Rainbow Bay (QLD) 31, Certe Group Whale Beach (NSW) 31, Skilled Avalon Beach (NSW) 28, Dial B4 You Dig Moruya (NSW) 25, R-Marine Salt (NSW) 23, Martha Cove Rosebud (VIC) 21, Slattery Half Moon Bay (VIC) 17 
 

Women

Round: The Surf Club Mooloolaba (QLD), Manly Warringah Credit Union Queenscliff (NSW), Skilled Services Avoca Beach (NSW), PCL-Panz Jan Juc (VIC), Red Steer Hotel Motel (NSW), Dial B4 You Dig Moruya (NSW), Manly Aluminium Windows South Curl Curl (NSW), Greenstone McMasters Beach (NSW), RPQ Met Caloundra (QLD), NR Perry Boats Currumbin (QLD), Dial B4 You Dig Bondi Beach (NSW), Acacia Embroidery Avalon Beach (NSW)  

Series: Manly Warringah Credit Union Queenscliff (NSW) 78 points, Manly Aluminium Windows South Curl Curl (NSW) 72, PCL-Panz Jan Juc (VIC) 66, The Surf Club Mooloolaba (QLD) 64, Red Steer Hotel Motel (NSW) 64, NR Perry Boats Currumbin (QLD) 62, Skilled Services Avoca Beach (NSW) 58, Greenstone McMasters Beach (NSW) 56, Dial B4 You Dig Moruya (NSW) 44, RPQ Met Caloundra (QLD) 28, Acacia Embroidery Avalon Beach (NSW) 18, Dial B4 You Dig Bondi Beach (NSW) 14

For a full breakdown of the day's results - click here