by Add-Styles’ Tim Hookins

At the Shaw and Partners Forster Ocean Classic surf ski race held on Sunday 15th September the Under 23 men once again demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with and will be producing big performances over the coming months and year.

While world champ Cory Hill won and the ever-reliable Mackenzie Hynard came in 46 seconds behind Cory, the next four spots were occupied by the Under 23 brigade! That’s in a field of 115 finishers.

First in the U 23s was Alex Woodhouse in a time of 50 minutes 53seconds. Alex trains in Mooloolaba with Charlise Kelly. 11 seconds behind Alex was Jake Morris from the Gold Coast. Jake pipped Dylan Askew into third place by one- Yes one- second at the finish. Jake said his lifesaver training did the job for him teaching him to go fast across the sand!

Dylan was happy to place where he did. He fell out at the start and spent the rest of the race in catch-up mode. Right near the finish, he popped up in third place where the paddlers congregate near the finish line, but Alex and Jake managed to run him down.

The boys really enjoyed catching the runs with conditions much different from the day before. The day prior in the Shaw and Partners Nine Mile Harrison Taurins had a fantastic race coming 2nd overall to Cory Hill and taking out the U23’s. In Sunday’s race Harrison came in 4th in the Under 23s, 5 seconds behind Dylan. Harrison was 46 seconds behind Dylan at the Chucky event, however 20 seconds ahead in Saturday’s race. I’m sure we are going to see plenty of competition between these boys.

The overall weekend was won by Alex in the U23 category, followed by an equal second between Harrison and Dylan. Click here for the weekend results.

Popular old time favourite Jimmy Walker was next representing the older set in 7th place in time of 51:41. Jimmy of course won the 50-59 category. Next and within sight of the top finishers was Callum Elliott in 5th place in the Under 23s but 9th place overall in a time of 52.16.