Unseeded bodyboarders caused some major upsets to their more experienced rivals, in the opening day of competition in the Morey Pro, which commenced in classic two metre waves at Chinamens Beach, Yorke Peninsular, South Australia. 
Nsw's Garth McGregor and New Zealand's Jethro Rae accounted for some of the sports biggest names on their way through to round 3, where the top seeded surfers will enter the 5A rated competition.  
The talented pair eliminated West Australia's Brad Hughes - son of cricket legend Kim - and the current no.2 rated competitor Dave Winchester (Mona Vale). 
Lone remaining South Australian contender Phillip Goode (Victor Harbour),also managed to seal a round three berth, disposing of one of Australia's top international competitors Luke Miller (Kiama, NSW) in their round two clash.   Goode will now face tough competition from top seeded Adrian Hybner (Mona Vale) and Beau Day (Bondi) in round 3. 
Avalon's Toby Player flew the flag for the seasoned campaigners, top scoring with an epic performance in the predominately left hand waves.  
The power-based surfer relished the conditions, to open with an excellent 8 point ride.  The renowned big-wave rider went onto dominate the heat from start to finish, with two other high scoring rides  a 7.8 and an 8.5, to post a total heat score of 24.3 out of a possible 30. 
The strong New Zealand contingent also made their presence felt, with Rae, John Lee Diamond and Simon Sadgrove all progressing into round 3.  
Kiwi's Aaron Lock and Sam Wells, are yet to contest their round 2 heat, as  
strong on-shore winds forced organiser to place the event on hold before the final heat of round two could be run. 
Conditions to be re-assessed on Wednesday morning but the prediction is for a lay day with competition resuming on Thursday - only one more day is required tofinalise the Global Organization of Bodyboarding Australasian  
Tour event. 

Further Information On-site liaison Tom Wilson 0419.048740 Media Enquires - Mandy McKinnon/Sharon Banks - 0417.079941 
 
 

BZ/Surf Dive "N" Ski Pro (ABBC)   Australian Bodyboard Circuit   $10,000 Prize Money 

Mona Vale bodyboarder, Dave Winchester, sealed his first victory on this years Australian Bodyboard Circuit (ABBC), with a near perfect 9.5 ride in the final of the BZ/ Surf Dive 'N'Ski Pro at Mystics Beach, just north of Kiama on the NSW, South Coast. 
The 19-year-old, who is currently ranked at no.5 in the world, overcame a slow start with smart surfing strategy in the solid one metre, right hand waves to score a unanimous win.  Winchester who has featured in 3 of a possible 4 finals on this years ABBC defeated Avalon's Ben Player, Cronulla's Andrew Lester and Margaret Rivers Ryan Hardy (W.A.). 
A consistent showing from Player saw him just outpoint Lester for second place.   3rd placed Lester, who opened with a 9 point ride in the high scoring final, managed to reclaim his ABBC ratings lead.   Contesting his fourth of a possible four finals on this year's tour, the talented bodyboarder has now taken a strong lead on the 9 event tour. 
West Australia's Hardy was wave starved in the final, only catching three of his four counting waves and was forced to settle for fourth place. 
Despite a strong start in the early rounds by the New Zealand contingent they failed to overcome the top seeded Australian bodyboarders in the latter rounds.  17-year-old Sam Wells was the highest placed Kiwi, finishing fourth in his quarter final heat to place 13th overall.  
Port Macquarie's Mason Rose, who was leading the ratings prior to this event, was unable to defend his position after he was forced to withdraw due to personal reasons. Local favourite Grahame Miller who entered the event as a top seed, was eliminated in fourth position in his opening round four heat. 

The next event on the ABBC is the $10,000 Morey Pro at Yorke Peninsular, South Australia and has a waiting period for the best possible surfing conditions from August 19th - 21st.   All top seeded surferss along with the 12 strong New Zealand team, will contest the only other 5A rated event on this years calendar. 
 
 

KIWI'S CAUSE UPSETS TO AUSSIE BODYBOARD CONTINGENT IN NSW, SOUTH COAST EVENT 

The entrance of twelve of New Zealand's top bodyboarders in the opening round of the BZ/Surf Dive 'N' Ski Pro caused some major upsets, to the unseeded Aussie contingent, when they commenced competition at Mystics Beach, just North of Kiama on the NSW, South Coast. 

One of Australia's top international competitors Luke Miller (Kiama), was included amongst the casualities, after the local contender was eliminated by Kiwi pair John Blackwood and Cameron Hirst, in the clean, one metre waves.   Miller, who recently represented Australia in Brazil at the World Surfing Games, was forced to enter in the opening round as were the New Zealanders, having accrued no domestic seeding points on this years nation-wide tour. Former New Zealand champion Blackwood and Hirst, continued their form in round two, defeating NSW's Bryce Thurston, to seal aberth in round three. 

Another of the day's top performers was New Zealand's rising star Sam  
Wells, who sealed a round four berth after advancing through 3 consecutive  
heats. 
The 17-year-old progressed behind Coffs Harbour's Dion Myers and the  
pair have now drawn one of Australia's most impressive bodyboarders Tyson 
Williams (Manly) and fellow top seed Ben Gohl (NSW) in round four. 

Bondi's Beau Day and Victoria's Damon Amos also advanced into round  
four, after a tight round three clash that saw the elimination of Queenslands  
Kane Cox and Avalon's Toby Player.  Less than one point separated all four  
on the final siren.   The pair have now  drawn no.1 seed Andrew Lester (Cronulla) 
and NSW's Mick Muir. 

The crucial 4th event on this years 9 contest Australian Bodyboard Circuit, the BZ Surf Dive 'N'Ski is the first of the two highest rated tournaments,carrying a 5A rating and $10,000 in prizemoney.  The contest has attracted the cream of the nations bodyboarders including top seeds Andrew Lester (Cronulla), Mason Rose (Port Macquarie), Tyson Williams (Manly), JoeJordonoff (WA) and Grahame Miller (Broulee). 

All top seeded surfers will enter in round 4, in Saturday's final day of competition.  Organisers can stage the event in the best possible waves between South Wollongong and North Ulladulla but are expecting to return to Mystics, with competition commencing at 8am and the finals to be staged around 1pm tomorrow.