Worksafe Tradies Challenge Presented By Kemppi Scores Perfect Waves And Weather At URBNSURF With Ethan Huxtable Winning The Open Men

The 2024 WorkSafe Tradies Challenge filled the URBSURF aquatic playground with great vibes and excellent surfing once again, with competitors lapping up the amazing waves and weather on offer. 

Along with the premium URBNSURF waves the surfers got to enjoy Worksafe tradie packs, Hello Sauna’s relaxing sauna and an exciting range of demo boards thanks to Boardlab throughout the day. 

To start off the finals, the Open Bodyboards hit the pool. Ryan Jucker (Hampton East), got the best of the first exchange with an el rollo into a super deep tube, followed by another el rollo, scoring an 8.83 point ride. It was clear it was going to be a tight battle, as the five other surfers scored around the 7 point range. With two waves counting, their second wave was going to be the one that mattered. Rui Mateus (Ivanhoe) made his second wave count, scoring the same as his first, a 7.83 point ride with an amazing spin into a tube, followed by an el rollo. Going into the final wave, Mateus held onto first place, with the rest of the field chasing a score for the win. On his last wave, Jucker took a different approach, committing to a double el rollo on the first section, followed by a shallow barrel and a big air rollo on the barrel section. He scored an 8.27 point ride, securing the win. 

“It’s always good to get a solid one under the belt, it helps lighten the pressure going into the other waves,” said Jucker.

“Back home when we used to compete and get into the finals we always had the mentality of either getting first or coming last, it’s ‘go big or go home’. Coming out of the barrel I tried to go as big as I could and it worked out,” he continued. 

“It’s great to take it out, I’m feeling great over all and it’s a good bunch of guys in the water, especially with the body boarders, they’re a good community. It’s good to see the other surfers here as well, what a great event, it’s nice to see the guys putting something like this on.”

In the Masters shortboard division Callan Cross (Torquay) was on fire all day and it was no different in the final. He got the better of the first exchange with a 6.43, while Ross Dart (Mount Duneed) closely followed behind with a 6.00 point ride. Another early standout, Luke Martin (Port Melbourne), felt the pressure of the final on his first wave, falling off the back. However, he was able to complete his second wave, scoring a 4.13 point ride. Cross responded with a powerful second ride, scoring a 6.93, utilizing his critical backhand attack. In the final exchange, Cross was comfortably in first, with Dart the closest to him, needing a 7.36 to take the lead. As Dart’s wave rolled through, he went for an extra deep takeoff, which led to a nosedive, leaving Cross to take the win.

The day concluded with the Open Men’s final and a tight battle between last years champion, Ethan Huxtable (Jan Juc) and Isaac Markwell (Sunrise Beach), who both started off strong, with Huxtable scoring a 7.40 point ride and Markwell scoring a 6.83 point ride. On the second wave, there was a momentum shift as Huxtable fell on his first turn, while Markwell backed up his first score with a 6.23 to move into first. It all came down to the last wave, with Huxtable needing a 5.66 to take the lead and Markwell looking to improve his situation.

Meanwhile Isaac’s brother, Joe Markwell (Sunrise Beach), was needing a large score heading into his final wave. However he wasn’t going to give up yet. On the final exchange Isaac Markwell improved his scoreline, smashing out a range of forehand snaps to receive a 7.07 point ride. This increased Huxtable’s requirement as he dropped into his last wave and wrenched a big forehand carve before teeing off down the line on multiple top turns. This wave earned Huxtable a 6.73 point ride and the top spot with one surfer to go. Joe Markwell knew he had to pull off something big as he raced down the line launching into an air reverse and just pulling it around. As the competitors waited on the waters edge the score came in as a 7.93 point ride, just falling short of the required score giving Huxtable the back to back win. 

“It’s always good, can’t complain! It’s at the wave pool so no matter the result it’s always going to be a good day,” said Huxtable.

“You get to surf the pool with some good mates and that’s awesome,” he added.

“It’s always cool to meet new people in the same work area and I always like talking with the boys out the back while waiting for the waves!” 

Overall, with the sun out and pumping waves in the pool, it was an amazing day for competitors to hang out and share the stoke of being a surfing tradie. 

Finals Results:

Open Mens
1st – Ethan Huxtable (Jan Juc), 14.13
2nd – Isaac Markwell (Sunrise Beach), 13.90
3rd – Joe Markwell (Sunrise Beach), 12.26
4th – Lachlan Smith (Caroline Springs), 7.63

Masters (Over 35s)
1st – Callan Cross (Torquay), 13.60
2nd – Ross Dart (Mount Duneed), 11.10
3rd – Arthur McKenzie (Cowes), 10.40
4th – Max Kight (Torquay), 10.27

Open Bodyboard
1st – Ryan Jucker (Hampton East), 17.10
2nd – Rui Mateus (Ivanhoe), 15.66
3rd – Chris Watson (Rosebud), 12.47
4th – Henry Munro (Williams Landing), 11.50

Live scores can be followed on Sunday via www.surfingvic.com/live

WorkSafe Tradies Challenge presented by URBNSURF
URBNSURF Melbourne
Sunday October 13th, 2024

The WorkSafe Tradies Challenge is presented by Kemppi Australia and URBNSURF and supported by Board LAB and Surfing Victoria.