KENNEDY AND STRICKLAND BREAK THROUGH FOR THEIR FIRST OPEN SURF TITLES.
Popular eastern shore surfer Matt Kennedy has finally broken through for his first Surfing Tasmania Open Mens State Surfing Championship.
His victory came after finishing on top of the 2021/22 Red Herring Surf State Championship Series with a victory at the last event of the season, the PJM Southern Challenge. Clifton Beach’s U18 State Junior Champion Toby Lawrence finished runner up with Lauderdale’s Kyle Cooper third.
Kennedy’s victory came after a third to Ulverstone’s Jy Johannesen in 2020 and second to Clifton Beach’s Rudy Davis in 2021.
Young Ulverstone surfer and former junior champion Nellie Strickland dominated the season with a first in the Phantom Coast Classic at Devonport, second in the East Coast Open and Bruny Open. Strickland defeated Clifton Beach’s junior star Ava Frey and former champion Dara Penfold.
Both surfers will be part of the STAS State Open Team to compete at the SAUS National Championships at Port Macquarie, NSW in August.
Surfing Tasmania’s Annual Championship Presentations will be held on July 30 at Clifton Beach.
