THE Australian Surfmasters Titles could not have gone any better for Mitch Dawkings.
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The Port Stephens surfer said “everything came together” in the lead up to the event, held in Coffs Harbour at the start of August, which saw him take out the over-40s shortboard division with ease.
Dawkings, from Nelson Bay, said he went into the surfmasters title feeling fit and confident.
That confidence was boosted by a new board, given to Dawkings by his sponsor ASI just a week out from the event, and amplified further when he scored a perfect 10.00 in his first heat.
“I had been training for it [title],” Dawkings said.
“Getting a new board from my sponsor ASI a week out just felt like everything came together.
“Brett [McGee from ASI] is a local guy. He has helped out a lot of the local guys; we all ride his boards. To produce a board a week out from the Aussie titles, it was just magic.
“I had a good start to my campaign, I felt good. It felt like nothing could stop me.”
The 41-year-old put on a dominant performance in the opening round of his division.
He posted a perfect 10.00 ride, accompanying it with a near-perfect 9.25.
The 1995 World Grommet Champion linked together a chain of technically sound backside snaps to post a 19.25 score and seal himself a spot straight into the quarterfinals.
Dawkings continued to build on his round one performance by putting on a display of powerful manoeuvres in the quarterfinals.
He posted a notable 14.85 two-wave heat total (out of a possible 20 points) to claim the win and earn himself a spot in the semi-finals.
Surfers endured erratic weather on the final day of competition.
Overcoming the conditions, Dawkings out-skilled his semi-final competition that hailed from South Australia, NSW and Queensland to claim the over-40 men’s Australian shortboard title.
“I’m still actually stoked I won,” Dawking said.
“I set out a goal to win and that was the end result.”
The Australian title win means Dawkings has earned himself a spot at the world titles.
The world title is expected to be held in Japan. However, it is not yet known when.
Dawkings said he was “definitely keen” to take part in the world title event.
