Good 4-5 ft (1.5m) surf was on offer, though onshore winds created bumpy
wave faces.

Against Californian Joel Tudor in the 40-minute decider, the 2000 world
champ displayed a committed attack and executed some major backhand
re-entries. With their best three rides counting, the 29-year-old was able
to post a great 8.5 score, together with another 7.6 and 5.5 to seal victory
and achieve the ultimate goal before announcing his retirement from
competitive longboarding.

"It’s bewildering," began Young, surrounded by Aussie mates afterward. "Such
a great moment and I seriously can’t believe it. Joel’s such a great surfer
and I was expecting a nine out of him at any point. I thought I gave my best
on that 8.5 though. It was hard with all the bumps out there, but who cares
(laughs)... I’m tripping right now.

"I guess nothing else came for him, and that always makes it tough," he
continued. "We both had to scramble to find three good waves, but I’m so
stoked. This is pretty much it for me - the best way to top of my career, no
doubt.

Father and four-time world titleholder Nat Young then offer the following
words : "As a proud father I’m just delighted. What a great result. There was
a period when Joel was just like a son to me too, so I wish it could have
been more blow-by-blow during the final, but Beau got those two bombs and
won it. He’s in the history books as world champion times two. I’m immensely
proud, as is the entire family. He’s put a lot of time into it and deserves
the rewards."

Tudor - the 1998 world champ - had earlier posted the best scores of the
2003 event, but wasn’t able to find similar waves when it counted most. The
27-year-old earned two good rides near the start of the final, but never
secured the additional 8.11 he was waited patiently for. Despite having
beaten Young in ’89, today’s result marks the second time the placings have
been reversed.

"It was cool to surf against Beau and too see him win in front of his dad
was great," said Tudor. "I’m stoked my brother was here, but just wish the
ratings reflected all the events this year more so than just who wins the
last one. You can’t cry over spilt milk though. I got second and that’s
that. One person had sync and I didn’t, while Beau had the rhythm.

"The judging was spot on and Beau deserved to win," he continued. "I’d catch
the smaller ones and then a bigger one would come right to him. These things
happen as you can’t control Mother Nature."

Finishing equal third today in the Oxbow Pro Longboard championships were
Mathew Moir (SAfr) and three-time (1999, 2001 & ’02) winner Colin McPhillips
(CA, USA). Moir was stopped by a determined Tudor in the first semifinal,
and despite surfing well, required another near-perfect ride worth 9.75
points. The South African still achieved his best ever result in the Oxbow
championships however, finishing the season rated sixth overall.

"I just caught the wrong waves," reasoned Moir. "I knew I needed to catch
the better, cleaner ones to beat him, but they didn’t come through. I’m
really happy to have made it so far in the event, as I’ve been trying since
St. Leu (Reunion Is.) in ’95. It’s good to be up there now."

McPhillips’ hopes of clinching a record equaling fourth world title were
squashed when Tudor reached the final, and then Young put an end to his
event campaign the following semi. The Californian played catch-up
throughout their clash, but after his opponent posted a final 8.25 ride,
McPhillips ultimately needed another worth 8.4 points. He finished the year
rated third.

"Some days you do good and others you do badly," said a disappointed
McPhillips. "Congratulations to Beau though. I was all fired up paddling out
for the match, as it looked really good, but every time I went to turn I hit
a bump. I felt super wobbly out there, but I guess you just had to be more
selective. I’ll take third though."

An Expression Session gave the strong Raglan crowd more to enjoy, with 12 of
the world’s best longboarders hitting the lineup. Jeremias da Silva (Brz)
won the best nose ride ; Jye Byrnes (Aus) the best manoeuvre ; Jason Ribbink
(SAfr) picked up the overall award, while Grant Thomas (Aus) was deemed the
most entertaining for his nude ride down the line. All earned an additional
US$500 for their efforts.

• Oxbow Pro Longboard Final Results
– 1st Beau Young (Aus) 21.6 - US$7,000
– 2^nd Joel Tudor (USA) 18.0 - US$ 3,500

Semifinals (1st>Final ; 2^nd=3rd receives US$1,750)
– SF1 : Joel Tudor (USA) 17.5 def. Mathew Moir (SAfr) 14.4
– SF2 : Beau Young (Aus) 15.4 def. Colin McPhillips (USA) 12.9

• Final 2003 ASP Longboard Ratings
– 1. Beau Young (Aus) 2,455
– 2. Joel Tudor (USA) 2,400
– 3. Bonga Perkins (Haw) 1,923
– 4. Colin McPhillips (USA) 1,905
– 5. Taylor Jensen (USA) 1,860
– 6. Mathew Moir (SAfr) 1,770
– 7. Alex Salazar (Brz) 1,643
– 8. Paulo Kid (Brz) 1,540
– 9. Marcelo Freitas (Brz) 1,525
– 10. Jye Byrnes (Aus) 1,518
– 11. Amaro Matos (Brz) 1,500
– =12. Grant Thomas (Aus) ; Jamie Viudes (Brz) 1,485
– 14. Phil Rajzman (Brz) 1,470