Along with a host of locals, malibu riders came from Warrnambool, Lakes Entrance, Sydney and the south coast to compete in the one day event.

Over 70 surfers signed up for the event and they were not disappointed as Merimbula turned it on again for this popular event with head high waves that improved in quality all day.

The low that was bringing torrential rain and big swell to the north coast brought with it a ground swell from the nor’east that moved in on the south coast on Saturday morning accompanied by light north easterly winds that kept the surf smooth and glassy all day.

And as the tide filled in during the afternoon the wave quality improved culminating in a fantastic final with three locals and three visitors vying for honours.

In the build up throughout the day competition was fierce as surfers tried desperately to catch their three waves in order to progress through the heats.

Even eventual finalist Christian Pimm had to fight back through the repercharge round to keep in contention whilst others were dropping off along the way.

Throughout the semi-final rounds the waves improved and so to did the surfing with some long rides, tight barrels, massive re-entries and huge wipe-outs on the sucking bank.

Hence the final became truly the highlight of the day.

Good surf, three locals, three visitors, three past winners…and a cheering crowd of stoked onlookers.

Kane McKill was looking good pulling off some big floaters, and was going head to head with Glen Wright as Phil Overend was pushing hard for another first place but despite some great waves began falling behind visitors Christian and Ray Lawrence.

Both these surfers scored high on a couple of long clean lefts with Christian eventually getting the edge on Ray to take out the major trophy.

Junior winner Clancy Mills was perhaps the biggest grinner at the presentation when he was awarded a custom made Bushrat board locally made by Jed Done.