In near-perfect conditions, Russell held off the highly-fancied Chase O’Leary.

He had earlier claimed the dropknee division with a six and five point score proving enough to defeat Fraser Smith in the final.

Association president Clayton Pickworth said while Russell’s victory wasn’t a huge surprise, he did so in two high-quality finals.

“The dropknee was a bit of a surprise,” Pickworth said.

“The surfing was absolutely top level – surfing the breakwall on the run-out tide is something that is quite unique.

“We had really good conditions, good waves and the wind was offshore.”

He is one of many high-quality surfers in the PMBA ranks although Pickworth said there were many impressive manoeuvres throughout the competition.

“The standard has gone up 100 per cent on the last competition we held,” he said.

“Jones beat Chase O’Leary in the pro division in a really good final.

“There were a lot of ‘ooh’s and aah’s from the spectators because of the aerial manoeuvres the boys were pulling off.”

Pickworth was also encouraged at the efforts of some of the younger surfers in the association who also stepped up a level.

“We had some of the grommets who were only in their second competition who stepped up into the cadet division,” he said.

In further good news for the club that indicated its continued growth, Pickworth said female surfers were starting to join their ranks.

“Hopefully we’ll have an all-girls team ready to compete in the team’s challenge on the June long weekend,” he said.

“We should have 10 local girls and probably 80 competing on that weekend so there’s a growing interest from the girls in bodyboarding which is great to see.”