Scott McKercher, Jacenta McKenna and Ryder Vernon score State stand-up paddleboard championships

Geraldton has again been the staging ground for the crowning of 10 new champions, this time focused on the sport of stand-up paddle boarding. However, unlike last week’s finale for the State Junior Surf Titles, the Margaret River region boasted only a few standout performers despite local surfers featuring in most divisions. Margaret River’s Scott McKercher came through in the open men’s 10ft SUP final. McKercher’s 13.84 out of 20 was too good for Spearwood’s Crawford Olney (10.57), Karridale’s Isaac Nettlebeck (9.37) and Cottesloe’s Mike Galbin (8.73). Dunsborough’s Jacenta McKenna also scored a State championship in the women’s open 10ft SUP against Cottesloe’s Susannah Wilson, while Yallingup’s Ryder Vernon took out the under-18 juniors championship against Nettlebeck. McKercher, who also designs and shapes stand up paddle boards, is a former windsurfing world champion now making waves in the rapidly growing 10ft SUP contest. He returned from his factory in Thailand to compete in Geraldton and said the travel miles were worth it when he walked away with the win in his favourite division. “I’m stoked to see my boards performing so well,” he said. “I’m off to Hawaii on Monday and it’s nice to get some waves under my belt before a few long flights in the coming days.” Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks thanked the Geraldton community for an epic three days of competition. “Geraldton most definitely turned it on and delivered one of the best SUP events I’ve been a part of,” he said. “We look forward to seeing our WA stand up paddle boarders performing at national titles.” The national titles will be held in September or October in NSW depending on conditions.