Jesus Pro Am Media
5th May, 2008
For Immediate Release –
Surfing
Jesus Pro Am
Queenscliff Beach, Manly, New South Wales, Australia.
3-4 May, 2008
Attached Complimentary Image: Maroubra surfer Blake Thornton used his competitive
experience and patience to grind out a well deserved win in the Open Men’s division of the 2008
Jesus Pro Am at Queenscliff Beach. Mandatory Photo Credit: Matt Johnson
Full Press Below –
Blake Thornton Powers to Victory and Yvonne Byron Wins Back to Back Titles!
(Manly, Sunday 4th May, 2008): Maroubra surfer Blake Thornton was all class when he won the
blue ribbon Open Men’s division of the Jesus Pro Am at Manly, defeating stylish Ulladulla surf
Ashley King for the Title.
In small but highly contestable waves, both finalists employed great small wave surfing tactics on
their way to the Final. Thornton overcame flashy Old Bar surfer Bobby Frith and the inform Alex
Chacon (Avalon) in the quarter and semi finals respectively with King defeating consistent Avalon
surfer Jefferson Duarte and former Jesus Pro Am champion Dylan Hannah (Cronulla) in two very
tight heats.
In what was a very close man on man final, both surfers opened up their accounts with mid range
scores however it was King who got the better of the opening exchanges to hold a narrow lead.
With Thornton left needing a wave in the good range to regain the lead, he showed his competitive
experience in waiting for a higher scoring wave. His patience paid off with Thornton jagging a
great right hander with five minutes remaining, on which he put his sharp forehand attack to work
all the way to the beach.
King picked up the next wave of the set, but was not as strong on his backhand and fell short of
the 6.0 score he required by a mere 0.5 with Thornton holding his lead to the end to take victory.
“I’m super happy with a win here,” said an elated Thornton, “It’s been a long time between wins for
me so it’s great for my confidence for the rest of the year.”
“I went into the man on man heats aiming to be as patient as possible and wait for the better
scoring waves to get two good scores locked in,” said Thornton of his tactics.
“I knew I needed a good one to get ahead of Ash and luckily that wave came through near the end
of the final which allowed me to link 3 full rail turns and get the score I needed.”
For his win, Thornton took home $1,000 cash and a Line Up Surf Trip to Samoa.
In the Open Women’s, defending Jesus Pro Am champ Yvonne Byron from Figtree was too good
in the Final easily beating Manly local Sammy Joy, Carlie Thornton (Maroubra) and Wallabi Point’s
Lara Reading respectively in the Final. For her efforts in winning back to back titles, Byron took
home $1000 and a trip to the Hunter Valley thanks to the Grand Mercure, Pokolbin.
The Cadet Boys impressed all weekend with some amazing performances going down. Defending
Cadet Boy’s champion Jordi Watson (Culburra) led the final from the outset; however it was the
stylish Cronulla goofy footer Connor O’Leary, who came back with two good range scores to
eclipse Watson to take the title and the Misfit Shapes surfboard. Watson placed second ahead of
Jesse Horner (Cronulla) in third and Max Western (North Avalon) in fourth position.
Meanwhile, the Cadet Girls showed great skill and determination in the tough conditions and in
doing so proving that Women’s surfing in Australia is in safe hands. Rising star Ellie-Jean Coffey
(Crescent Head) surfed well beyond her years to easily outpoint her opposition to claim the title.
Finishing second was Skye Burgess from Lake Heights, with Stanwell Park’s Rachel Campbell
third and Lauren McAleer of North Curl Curl fourth.
In the newly added Expression Session, it was Wallabi Pont surfer Luke Reading who claimed the
$300 cash with a stylish Forehand Air Reverse.
Despite the small waves throughout the event, the 2008 Jesus Pro Am will long be remembered
for the fantastic weather that persisted all weekend, drawing significant to the idyllic Queenscliff
amphitheatre throughout the event. The Jesus Pro Am aims to offer a different style of contest for
competitors and according to Open Men’s Winner Blake Thornton, the event achieved did just that!
“The vibe at the Jesus Pro Am is always so friendly and really family orientated, which is so
different from most contests. My family was here today which was a great support!”
Jesus Pro Am commentator, Michael Crisp concurred saying, “The Jesus Pro Am aims to provide
a safe, professional contest that is hospitable for its elite competitors. We aim to show the
competitors God’s love through serving them with great food and providing a healthy, enjoyable
contest atmosphere.”
While the contest did not involve any ‘in-your-face’ evangelism, fantastic opportunities for sharing
the message of Jesus were created through a number of means including a short message at the
Contest Presentation and the famous ‘Win-a-surfboard’ contest. Here, entrants had to answer
several simple questions about who Jesus is by looking up verses in the Surfer’s Bible – a
Contemporary English Version of the New Testament that is aimed at surfers.
The 2008 event also saw Christian Surfers Australia and local charity Manly-Monado join forces to raise
awareness and funds for the people of Manado, a village in Indonesia. Representatives from Manly-
Monado were onsite throughout the event providing information about the project and offering ways for
spectators to help fight the global problem of poverty.
As always, a huge team of volunteers, made up of Christian Surfers’ crew from around Australia
and local church members, worked tirelessly to ensure every competitor was well feed cooking up
a huge supply of cakes and bacon and egg rolls right through the event.
Huge thanks to all the crew who put in a great effort over the weekend!
The 2008 Jesus Pro Am is presented by Line Up Surf and The Bible Society NSW and is proudly
supported by Grand Mercure – Pokolbin, Dallas Designer Jewellery, Plantation Skateboards, Misfit
Shapes, Ocean and Earth, Manly-Manado, Tracks, Dripping Wet Surf, Surf Co Hawaii, Matt
Johnson Photography and Movemedvd.com.
Results
Open Men 1st Blake Thornton (Maroubra)
2nd Ashley King (Ulladulla)
=3rd Dylan Hannah (Cronulla)
=3rd Alex Chacon (Avalon)
Open Women 1st Yvonne Byron (Figtree)
2nd Sammy Joy (Manly)
3rd Carlie Thornton (Maroubra)
4th Lara Reading (Wallabi Point)
Cadet Boys 1st Connor O’Leary (Cronulla)
2nd Jordi Watson (Culburra Beach)
3rd Jesse Horner (Cronulla)
4th Max Western (North Avalon)
Cadet Girls 1st Ellie-Jean Coffey (Crescent Head)
2nd Skye Burgess Lake Heights)
3rd Rachel Campbell (Stanwell Park)
4th Lauren McAleer (North Curl Curl)
Website:
Event Contact:
Al Westbury
0422 944 008
jesusproam@christiansurfers.org.au
Media Contact:
Peter Hunt
0401 826 847
peterh@surfingnsw.com.au
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