Real Estate on the Winners podium in high demand for round 1.

The First National Real Estate Board Series has well and truly begun with rounds 1 and 2 taking place at Alexandra Headlands on the 15^th and 16^th November. An elite field of competitors in both the male and female races battled it out in a bid to prove that they are the one to beat this season. The depth of competitors attending the first ever Summer of Surf event ensured that the winners had to fight to the end in order to claim the valued points.

The return of Samuel Hamilton from Tugun Surf Life Saving Club caused an upset among the men’s field on day one, with the returning star claiming the first win for the Open Men’s First National Real Estate Board Series, with Northcliffe’s Cory Hill steps behind to claim second. However it was the battle for 3^rd and 4^th between Wes Berg and Rhys Burrows that had spectators on the edge of their seats. The pair were determined to put as many points to their name as they could in the first round and were willing to fight to the very end. Round two saw Isak Costello stepping up to race the perfect race. The young gun had travelled to the Sunshine Coast from Redhead, New South Wales to test himself against the best. As a first year Open’s competitor, Costello stamped his mark as one to watch in the future.

The women’s racing proved to be just as competitive. Maddy Dunn stamped her authority on day one, just beating current World Champion Harriet Brown to the finish. The pair were keen to show everyone that hadn’t been in France at the World Championships how much work they had put in throughout the off season. On day two it was local Sunshine Coast girl, Jordan Mercer that managed to take out the win. The reaction of Mercer as she crossed the line revealed how much she wanted to establish a good position on the First National Real Estate Board Series Leader Board.

The exciting racing across the first two rounds of competition has given the athletes a taste of what is to come this season, and many of them are hungry for a win. The Coffs Harbour Craft Carnival will host round three on the 29^th November, which is sure to prove just as competitive.