Surf Cat

BODYBOARDING: Buddina teenager Cooper Stewart is relishing the chance to again pit his skills against the country’s best after being crowned state champion.

Stewart won the Queensland under-14 open division at Coolum Beach on Friday after placing second and first respectively in two aggregate finals, leaving him with the overall win.

He defeated Peregian Beach brothers Jai and Zayde Taylor and Buddina’s Cooper McNally respectively.

“I’m pretty stoked to take the win,” Stewart said.

“I’m looking forward to the Australian Titles later in the year. I managed to get a third at the Aussies last year so I’m definitely keen to try and get first place.”

Gold Coaster Dale Akehurst won the open men’s title, defeating Grant Nutter (Gold Coast), Luke Jackson (Runaway Bay) and Adam Keegan (Marcoola) respectively in the final.

The state bodyboarding titles were held as the opening event of the nine-day Queensland Surf Festival.

The new event will also feature shortboard, longboard/logger and SUP surfing, replacing the traditional state title events of those disciplines.