We use cookies to improve your experience on our websites and for advertising. Privacy Policy

Events
News
Watch
Riders
Spots
More »

- Brands
- Travel & Local
- Good Guys
- Filmmakers
- Bosses
- Shops
- Media
- Movies
- Apps
- Photographers
- Tips & Tricks

Scroll

> News > Matt Banting Returns To The Podium at Mothernest Great Lakes Pro 2019

surfing News

Matt Banting Returns To The Podium at Mothernest Great Lakes Pro 2019

Matt Banting (AUS) wins the 2019 Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, at Boomerang Beach, NSW, Australia, on February, 24. Image credit: / WSL / Ethan Smith

24 February 2019

Matt Banting (Port Macquarie, NSW) has claimed his first World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) victory since 2014, taking out childhood friend, rival and fellow unsponsored surfer Cooper Chapman (Narrabeen, NSW) in the final of the 2019 Mothernest Great Lakes Pro.

Matt Banting put on a solid clinic of surfing over the duration of the event, however the natural-footer hit his stride in the final posting two excellent scores, a 9.00 and an 8.00 to amass a giant 17.00 two-wave heat total. The win at Tuncurry puts Banting’s qualification campaign into full-swing as he comes into the Vissla Central Coast Pro, Burton Automotive Pro and the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro at Manly.

“Cooper and I have had a rivalry since we were in the Under-12s and Under-14s, so we’re always super eager and keen to beat each other,” said Banting. “After a four-or-five year hiatus from winning, I came into January 1st 2019 and said to myself that it’s game on. It feels like a few of the sacrifices of turning down parties and the opportunity to go out is beginning to pay off. To also get pumping surf for the duration of the event makes it so much sweeter. I feel like I can go into the QS3000 and the QS6000 events now knowing that I can do better.”

Despite runner-up Cooper Chapman’s start in the 2019 Mothernest Great Lakes Pro being in doubt only two days ago due to illness, the northern beaches native rose above the aches and pains to seal a spot into the final alongside Banting. Chapman’s goal of claiming his maiden QS victory was ultimately derailed, but nevertheless, the natural-footer is leaving the Great Lakes with his head held high.

“This was a great event and the surf was pumping the whole time, so it was nice to get a few wins and get the ball rolling on 2019,” said Chapman. “It was nice to share a final with Matty as it’s been a while since we had one together, so hopefully we can begin to steamroll into the rest of the year. I think we both showed our maturity in this event being one and two seed and hopefully, we can both build on it.”

The AirAsia Wave Of The Day was awarded to Chapman for his dominant performance throughout the event.

The elite five-day QS 1000 rated event will form the second of three stops on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series and will take place at Boomerang Beach.

2019 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series Event Schedule

Event 1: Carve Pro QS1,000, Maroubra – January 23 – 26

Event 2: Mothernest Great Lakes Pro QS1000, Boomerang Beach – February 20 -24

Event 3: Vissla Central Coast Pro QS3000, Avoca Beach – February 27 – March 4

About the WSL

The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world's best surfing on the world's best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The organization, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.

The WSL has been championing the world's best surfing since 1976, annually running more than 180 global events across the Men's and Women's Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport's rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed Men’s and Women’s World Champions across all tours.

Showcasing the world's best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Tyler Wright, John Florence, Lakey Peterson, Paige Alms, Kai Lenny, Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina, Courtney Conlogue, Mateus Herdy, Kirra Pinkerton, Steve Sawyer, Soleil Errico and more battle on the most dynamic field of play of any global sport.