HOBART/TASMANIA (Tuesday, January 21st/2025): Last year’s Red Herring Pro-Am Champion Oscar Salt will be back to defend his title come January 25th in a boost for the 2025 competition, presented by Rip Curl.
Matt Kennedy (main picture) knows the local contingent has every chance of producing a winner this year, with Benn Richardson, Marty Paradisis, Kyle Cooper and Jy Johannesen all likely entrants this weekend.
” The interstate crew all rip, so it’s going to be a challenge. We ( the local crew) know all these waves back to front, so I think it’s time a Tasmanian took the win again!” said Kennedy.
South Arm Boardrider Rudy Davis won the Inaugural Red Herring Pro-Am back in 2023 before New South Welshman Oscar Salt won last year’s instalment.
In the Women’s division, defending Champion Sarah Seuren will have plenty of competition with current International Surfing Association (ISA) Silver Medalist Serena Brooke in the draw, along with Tasmania’s former World Junior Champion Dara Penfold and Leila Salt.
” It’s going to be great to have the likes of Serena Brooke in the Open Women’s side of the draw. We have been friends for a long time so to have another heat together would be fun if it pans out that way”, said Penfold.
After a year on the mainland, participating in the Lindisfarne School/Surfing Australia Surfing Excellence program, Marvin Freeman makes a return to competitive surfing in Tasmania. Freeman is entered in both the Under 18 Boys and Open Men’s divisions. Keep an eye on the super-grom!
Likely venues for the three days of competition will be Clifton Beach, South Arm Peninsular, Eaglehawk Neck and Roaring Beach.
The location for each day’s competition will be announced on the Red Herring Surf and Surfing Tasmania social channels each morning.
The Red Herring Pro-Am is presented by Rip Curl and supported by Yeti, JS Industries, Creatures of Leisure, Southern Cross Austereo(Triple M Hobart), Dragon Alliance, Foreshore Hotel and Surfing Tasmania.
EXTRA NOTE: The Dara Penfold Exhibition will be open to the public this Friday, January 24th after a VIP Opening night on Thursday 23rd January – The Tasmanian Surf Museum Upstairs at Red Herring Surf – 104 Elizabeth Street, Hobart 7000. Come and check out everything there is to know about Tasmania’s most successful female surfer!
