The Shaw and Partners North Bondi Surf Club Classic has concluded in spectacular fashion on a packed Bondi Beach. With picture perfect conditions meeting some of the closest and most elite surf sports racing ever seen, it was a symbolic return to surf sports on the biggest stage as the Summer of Surf in conjunction with Shaw and Partners breathes life into surf sports racing in the modern era.

The finals package opened with Lizzie Welborn (Newport) outsprinting long-time rival and friend Harriet Brown (Northcliffe) while Flynn Hamilton (Swansea Belmont) claimed his biggest win in the open ranks in the LSKD Board Race. 

Nick Slowman (Northcliffe) celebrated 4 wins in as many races adding the We Are Feel Good Inc Swim title to his wins in the 2km swim, run swim run and taplin relay for a very successful day on the tools. Georgia Miller (Northcliffe) took the honours in the women’s We Are Feel Good Inc swim with fast rising start Bella Williams (Swansea Belmont) and Naomi Scott (Manly) rounding out the podium. 

Newport’s Jemma Smith showed her incredible ski paddling abilities with a full wave lead in the Mr Strange Eyewear ski race while local boys Noah Havard and Jackson Collins took the North Bondi quinella in a poetic and much celebrated victory for the home club. 

Harriet Brown shared an emotional win in the Shaw and Partners Ironwomen race ten years on from a last place finish on the very same beach at the beginning of her ironwoman career. With many highs and lows in between including recent back-to-back foot surgery’s, Harriet Brown was able to captivate the crowd and inspire thousands with her never give up attitude and will to win while always sporting the biggest smile on the beach. 

“I had a lot of doubts with my latest injury if I would ever be able to get back to racing at this level. I have worked so hard on getting back to my best week by week so to claim the win here is truly amazing. I am also so grateful for all of the support of Shaw and Partners and making an event like this possible”

Shaw and Partners brand ambassador Ali Day did some serious battle with Surfers Paradise club mate TJ Hendy in the Ironman with the pair breaking the field heading into the final ski leg. Day utilised his career best form and pulled down a wave in the dying stages on the race with Shaw and Partners brand ambassador Matt Poole (Northcliffe) joining TJ Hendy for a sprint finish with Poole getting the nod for the silver. 

“I got to the swim around 11^th and I thought I was in trouble.” said Day. “I am really proud of the way I fought back into the race. A massive thanks to Earl Evans from Shaw and Partners for all of his support and allowing us to race at such an iconic location and a huge shoutout to TJ Hendy and Matt Poole for their great racing too.”

The day concluded on a massive high for Newport winning the $12,500 first place prize in the mixed Taplin relay ahead of Northcliffe and host club North Bondi in third. Newport erupted with joy and a massive team hug, highlighting just how much a team victory is worth. 

The Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf now heads to the Gold Coast with the Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Classic scheduled on the 11th & 12th February 2022.