Defending men’s champions Ego Platinum Austinmer and the inform Manly Aluminium Windows South Curl Curl women are in the box seat after the third round of the Evive Charger Ocean Thunder Pro Surf Boat Series.    

With the countdown on for the February 16 final at Dee Why Jack Patison’s Austinmer and Chris Fleming’s South Curl Curl are on top of their respective pointscores. 

Austinmer, who won last year’s final to clinch a nail-biting Series win are on 67 points – four clear of Richard Brierty’s round three winners Skilled Services Avoca (63) and the vastly improved Your Style North Curl Curl (59). 

Ozwide Loans Bulli (55), reigning Australian champions Pure Blonde Nth Cottesloe and Reilly & Sons Food Services Warriewood (both 51) and Ego Pacific Palms (50) round out the magnificient seven. 

South Curl Curl, who stumbled at the final hurdle last year, notched its first win of the Series on Saturday in a thrilling finish with Skilled Services Avoca in the action-packed women’s final. 

They are now on top of the table on 60 points from defending champions Manly Warringah Credit Union Queenscliff (56), with new comers NR Perry Boats Currumbin (56) with Red Steer Hotel Motel (48),  PCL-Panz Jan Juc (48) Greenstone McMasters Beach (46) and The Surf Club Mooloolaba (40) rounding out the top seven. 

Series spokesman Gary Watts said Ocean Thunder was heading towards an exciting climax and had arrived in a big way on the summer sporting map. 

“Dee Why has certainly turned on the waves for us in the past two rounds and we have seen some brilliant exhibitions of big wave boat rowing, from both the men and the women,” said Watts. 

“This made for television series is really starting to come into its own and we can’t wait to see the round three action on Fox Sports. 

“The final on February 16 is certain to go right down to the wire and anything can happen.”

Click here to see all Round Three Results and Cumulative Point Score Tables