Jack and Cookie on Top – Again

Jack Irvin claimed his second straight Open Championship in winning the 2009 Sandshoes Boardriders crown.

He claimed three event firsts in a seven event season, to pip Matt Cook by a handful of points.

The winner-runner-up slots were the same as in 2008, proving that these two high class performers know how to turn it on in all conditions.

Irvin and Cookie were honoured at the Club presentation night at the South Cronulla Bowling Club, in a standing room only affair, with more than 60 people – young and older – packing the board room.

Matt Holman, who had a top season, winning a couple of pointscores, finished third, evergreen John Tucker claimed 4th, former multiple Junior Champ Jarrod Horner came in 5th and the ever popular Drew Kelly snagged 6th overall.

The race for the Junior Title was just as fierce all year as the Opens, with Reece Moffat, Jesse Horner and Jacob Boylan on fire through the eight event season.

Reece snuck home by one point, with Horner and Boylan finishing equal second.

Harrison Martin, who claimed a fantastic second placing in the recent Occy Showdown, came home in 4th; Nathan Hatheier was 5th and former Junior Champ Tyler Barnes grabbed 6th placing.

All in all, a season of excellent surfing and strong competition on the world famous Shoes Reef.

A big thanks you to Howie and Cronulla Surf Design for donating a swag of great gear and gift vouchers as prizes.

The three divisional winners – Irvin, Moffat and Ben Boylan – were presented with framed colour photos of themselves in competition mode, courtesy of Leah Maclean.

The highly Memorial regarded Ron Inman Encouragement Award was won jointly
by Leah Maclean and Paul Byers for their great assistance, commitment and expertise
in providing photography and video galleries of the 2009 season, and generating the Shoes website.

A good night had by all; and a reflection of the enthusiasm, spirit and solidarity that are part and parcel of the Sandshoes Boardriders tradition.