Christian Surfers Australia held the Jesus Pro Am at Manly’s Queenscliff Beach in early May with Maroubra surfer Blake Thornton taking our the honors in the Open Men’s division and Yvonne Byron from Figtree in Wollongong winning back-to-back titles in the Open Women’s…
Christian Surfers Australia held the Jesus Pro Am at Manly’s Queenscliff Beach in early May with Maroubra surfer Blake Thornton taking our the honors in the Open Men’s division and Yvonne Byron from Figtree in Wollongong winning back-to-back titles in the Open Women’s. The day, presented by Line Up Surf and the Bible Society of NSW, also saw opportunities for sharing the message of Jesus with a short message given at at the contest presentation and the famous ‘win-a-surfboard’ contest in which 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.
Men’s Open winner Blake Thornton. 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. “I’m super happy with a win here,” he said. PICTURE: Matt Johnson
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. PICTURE: Matt Johnson
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. PICTURE: Matt Johnson
In the Cadet Girls, 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. PICTURE: Matt Johnson
The Jesus Pro Am scoreboard – the banner of Jesus lifted up high at Manly! 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. PICTURE: Richard Agius
The evangelism team ready to assist win a surfboard comp entrants answer the questions correctly! PICTURE: Richard Agius