Rip Curl MP Classic
Keri Algar
1 February 2009
Relishing the opportunity to surf the Coolangatta points in conditions conspiring for excellent waves, 80 surfers battled it out over the weekend in the 2009 Rip Curl MP Classic.
In its eighth consecutive year the Rip Curl MP Classic honors local King of Kirra Michael ‘MP’ Peterson. Considered to be one of the best surfers from the 70’s, today MP is valued as a historical prodigy of Australian surfing. The contest’s namesake looked on in the company of his mother and brother as the competitors took to the appealing 4ft barreling waves. While not being the truck sized barrels of Kirra in MP’s era, Greenmount held its own and the reeling waves were at least reminiscent of the legendary point
The prestigious event is recognized as an arena for up and coming professional surfers to use as a stepping stone to get into higher competition. The contest is the second of five events forming part of the Queensland Championship Circuit (QCC). As well as accruing points in the circuit the cash incentive is high for these young surfers.
Raising the stakes early in the piece was Shaun Gossmann. The Gold Coast surfer won the MP Classic for three consecutive years between 2003 and 2005 as well as taking out QCC’s first event this year at Currumbin Alley. However, disappointing results in the quarter finals saw Gossmann bow out of the event earlier than expected.
A steady easterly swell combined with sensational surfing to make for an exciting final. The judges were kept on their toes to keep up with the finalist’s bombardment of quality rides. Central Coast surfer Matt Wilkinson’s powerful backhand maneuvers impressed bystanders throughout the weekend and a commendable display of critical surfing saw him take the initial lead in the final.
Throwing it all out and pulling some blockbuster moves from the start of the 30 minute heat was Ice Periera-Ryan. The young Coolangatta surfer certainly pleased the crowds though unfortunately it was not enough to knock Adam Melling (Lennox Head) from his high scoring roll.
Melling held a commanding lead in all his heats throughout the weekend with consistently high scoring waves. A successful combination of flow, style and speed was more than enough for him to claim victory.
“I couldn’t be happier right now, my boards are great, fitness and injuries all good and to win in such excellent surf in this event is super great – It’s a special event named after an extraordinary surfer. I’m honoured to win the MP award in a field of so many good surfers”.
Melling also walked away with four cases of Toohey’s Extra Dry after trumping James Wood’s 9.90 wave from earlier in the contest. In a ride void of barrels, it was Melling’s massive rail to rail hack turns that scored him a perfect 10 point ride to clinch the TED Wave of the Weekend Award.
In the Air Asia X expression session surfers included soul arch turns in classic 70’s tradition. Blake Ainsworth’s (Gold Coast) style paid tribute to MP’s renowned deep rail carves He won two return tickets to Kuala Lumpur care of the events co-sponsor Air Asia X.
MP’s brother Tommy was supportive of the contest saying “it means a lot for the local people, that their local legend has a contest named after him”. Tommy was impressed with the level of surfing overall, adding that he would keep his eye on Lennox Head’s Stuart Kennedy for the future.
Rip Curl’s event manager Scott Hargraves ratified the company’s 39 year long relationship with MP stating that “MP makes up a large part of our DNA”.
Finals Results
Adam Melling 17.9
Ice Periera-Ryan 15.8
Matt Wilkinson 14.5
Stuart Kennedy 13.6
Keriruri's Point 