Whalebone Jerseys on Day 2 of action. WSL / Surfing WA / Majeks
Day two of the 20th annual Whalebone Classic saw surfers enjoy idyllic conditions at Isolators Reef, with LQS 1000 finalists decided for both men's and women's in groomed winter waves.
In a stark contrast to the wet and windy conditions on offer yesterday, competitors made the most of sunny skies and glassy conditions, putting on a longboarding clinic in the 1-2 feet waves on offer along Perth's metropolitan coastline. Milking every inch of their nine-foot plus boards, the final two males and final two female surfers were decided at Western Australia's most iconic longboarding event.
Dean Bevan booked his spot into the men's final with a powerful performance in the clean conditions. Surfing on rail and with great speed through every turn, Bevan defeated WA rising star Jack Medland in a tight opening semi final. Bevan scored an impressive 8.4 and backed it up with a 6.5 to finish on a combined two-wave total of 14.90.
Dean Bevan on his way to the final at the Whalebone. WSL / Surfing WA / Majeks
"We've been gifted with this clean little groundswell today and all the boys have been really enjoying it," said an elated Bevan. "It's really contestable despite the size and it's been a great trip to Western Australia thus far for me and making the final keeps the dream alive for me."
In semi final two, Jack Entwistle secured his place in the LQS final with his smooth and graceful technique rewarded highly by the judges and delighting the strong weekend crowd who pilled in to watch today's action.
Entwistle scored two eight point plus rides, finishing with a two-wave combined total of 16.90. Using his long legs and quick footwork, Entwistle was too good for another WA star on the rise Anthony Spencer, who was left chasing a near perfect 9.11.
Jack Entwistle riding the nose at Isolators Reef. WSL / Curruthers
"This will be my first WSL final and I'm really stoked to have made it," said Entwistle. "The surf was really fun and consistent during our semi perfect for nose riding and longboarding in general. I'm really looking forward to taking on Dean Bevan, I've surfed against him a bunch of times and can't wait until tomorrow."
While in the women's division, Japan's Natsumi Taoka will take on Queensland's Kathryn Hughes in tomorrow final after the pair were both successful in their semifinals. Taoka proved why she placed 9th at the World Longboard Championships early this year, with an exquisite display in the clean conditions taking down Tully White scoring 14.85.
Natsumi Taoka is one of the only international competitors at the Whalebone and her trip has paid off so far as she finds herself on the final. WSL / Surfing WA / Majeks
"I enjoy nose riding and the waves were perfect and so clean today," said Taoka. "I meet Kathryn two years ago when we were in Taiwan and I'm excitied to surf against her in the final tomorrow.
After finishing second in last years Whalebone Classic Kathryn Hughes is definitely keen to go one better, defeating Lucy Small in semifinal two. Hughes stroked into the best two waves of the heat, scoring 13.75, leaving Small chasing an 8.35.
Kathryn Hughes finished second at the Whalebone in 2016 and will be hoping to go one better when competition resumes. WSL / Curruthers
"This is my third time to WA and I'm going to go straight out and say that I really want to win tomorrow," said Hughes. "Natsumi is a lovely person but were both super competitive so tomorrow should be really exciting."
Finalists Decided at 20th Annual Whalebone Classic LQS
WSL
Day two of the 20th annual Whalebone Classic saw surfers enjoy idyllic conditions at Isolators Reef, with LQS 1000 finalists decided for both men's and women's in groomed winter waves.
In a stark contrast to the wet and windy conditions on offer yesterday, competitors made the most of sunny skies and glassy conditions, putting on a longboarding clinic in the 1-2 feet waves on offer along Perth's metropolitan coastline. Milking every inch of their nine-foot plus boards, the final two males and final two female surfers were decided at Western Australia's most iconic longboarding event.
Dean Bevan booked his spot into the men's final with a powerful performance in the clean conditions. Surfing on rail and with great speed through every turn, Bevan defeated WA rising star Jack Medland in a tight opening semi final. Bevan scored an impressive 8.4 and backed it up with a 6.5 to finish on a combined two-wave total of 14.90.
"We've been gifted with this clean little groundswell today and all the boys have been really enjoying it," said an elated Bevan. "It's really contestable despite the size and it's been a great trip to Western Australia thus far for me and making the final keeps the dream alive for me."
In semi final two, Jack Entwistle secured his place in the LQS final with his smooth and graceful technique rewarded highly by the judges and delighting the strong weekend crowd who pilled in to watch today's action.
Entwistle scored two eight point plus rides, finishing with a two-wave combined total of 16.90. Using his long legs and quick footwork, Entwistle was too good for another WA star on the rise Anthony Spencer, who was left chasing a near perfect 9.11.
"This will be my first WSL final and I'm really stoked to have made it," said Entwistle. "The surf was really fun and consistent during our semi perfect for nose riding and longboarding in general. I'm really looking forward to taking on Dean Bevan, I've surfed against him a bunch of times and can't wait until tomorrow."
While in the women's division, Japan's Natsumi Taoka will take on Queensland's Kathryn Hughes in tomorrow final after the pair were both successful in their semifinals. Taoka proved why she placed 9th at the World Longboard Championships early this year, with an exquisite display in the clean conditions taking down Tully White scoring 14.85.
"I enjoy nose riding and the waves were perfect and so clean today," said Taoka. "I meet Kathryn two years ago when we were in Taiwan and I'm excitied to surf against her in the final tomorrow.
After finishing second in last years Whalebone Classic Kathryn Hughes is definitely keen to go one better, defeating Lucy Small in semifinal two. Hughes stroked into the best two waves of the heat, scoring 13.75, leaving Small chasing an 8.35.
"This is my third time to WA and I'm going to go straight out and say that I really want to win tomorrow," said Hughes. "Natsumi is a lovely person but were both super competitive so tomorrow should be really exciting."
Whalebone Classic
Jack Entwistle takes his first-ever LQS victory while Natsumi Taoka wins her second event for 2017 season.
Tully White eliminates former event champion Georgia Young on massive opening day at 20th Whalebone Classic LQS.
As the Whalebone Classic celebrates its 20th Birthday competitors ready themselves for all sorts of conditions.
One of Australia's longest running professional surfing events celebrates a milestone birthday.
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