Geraldton kitesurfer Patrick Smyth takes out junior & senior divisions at Margaret River Quobba Classic

Geraldton kitesurfer Patrick Smyth has beaten out the competition to claim the junior and senior gongs at a major State competition. In solid conditions, Smyth won both the under-18s and men’s divisions at the Margaret River Quobba Classic in February. Smyth breezed through the juniors, scoring 13.50 thanks to rides totalling 6.6 and 6.9. His next best competitor was Rhys Cheshire, with 9.92. Smyth had a rocky start to the open men’s competition, with hefty swell and strong wind, but gained composure after finishing second in his opening heat and was able to pull clear of the competition. He recorded a 7.50 and an 8.17 in the final to score 15.67, beating second-placed Ryland Blakeney by 1.51 points. Smyth is a Mid West Academy of Sports athlete who was nominated for Junior Sports Star of the Year at the Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards in 2021. He has previously won a men’s open contest in Carnarvon. Kitesurfing WA said the event had gone off well. “We had solid swell and wind and great conditions for the 45 riders who went head to head,” it said.