Mitch Dawkings has added a fresh title to his collection after a powerful show of skill at the Sufmasters titles on the weekend.
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The reigning over-35 Australian surfing champion from Nelson Bay took out the same age category at Surfmasters, plus a second place in the over-40 men’s division, at Boomerang Beach where the titles were held between June 14 and 17.
On Friday, Dawkings, a 1995 World Grommet Champion, impressed judges with a display of surfing skill that has won him countless events and titles in previous years.
Dawkings linked together a chain of mammoth backside hooks and snaps to muster up a near perfect nine-point ride in the over-35 men’s round one heat as well as an 8.17 to amass a 17.17 two-wave total.
As a result, Dawkings was awarded the AirAsia Wave of the Day.
The final day of the titles, on Sunday, saw the swell increase and surfers pull out all the stops as they endeavoured to claim a NSW title.
Dawkings successfully capped off his 2018 Surfmasters campaign by nailing a handful of his trademark backside snaps and carves to post a 18.07 two-wave heat total in the over-35 men.
Surfing in only boardshorts, Dawkings remained busy in the early stages of the heat, getting the ball rolling in the opening seconds of the final.
Over-35 men’s runner-up Shane Conwell, from Avalon, put on a valiant effort, posting a 16.66 total, but was unable to find the near perfect 9.75 wave score needed to take away Dawking’s lead.
“The HIF NSW Surfmasters Titles is one of the most entertaining and in-demand competitions for Surfing NSW,” Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said.
“It’s an event where everyone gets together and rekindles old rivalries and where all competitors aim to get their hands on an NSW Title."
The prominent event, in its seventh year, saw more than 150 competitors aged 35 and above battle it out in an attempt to secure an NSW shortboard title and a spot in the national titles at the 2018 Australian Surf Festival in Tweed Heads.
Related reading: Stretton eyes state titles at Port Stephens Surf Festival