The weather was against competitors and officials alike, with the usually sunny Geraldton turning on some challenging conditions for the SunSmart Surfmasters World Qualifying Series (WQS) event.

Strong South-West winds plagued the event from start to finish, with Flat Rocks providing windy wedges and long left hand walls allowing for high performance surfing.

Godwin traded blows and exchanged the lead with Kit Rayner from Geraldton (WA). However, it was Godwin that went from strength to strength showing his forehand repertoire and lodging two scoring waves of a 7.50 and 5.87 to seal back to back wins at Flat Rocks.

Godwin has never had to defend a surfing title before so he was feeling some pressure going into the final.

“The waves were tricky out there, but that suit me just fine. We have a similar left hand point at home which I surf all the time.

“I was way more nervous this time and as last years’ champ you can feel like you have a target on your back.”

Godwin was the sole East Coast surfer to travel and compete at this event and hopes to use the win as a spring board into bigger things in 2009 but in the mean time Godwin will remain in WA for a few more days in hope of swell and offshore winds and travel home to Forster later in the week.

Meanwhile Geraldton locals Danny Williams, Kit Rayner, and Ben McDonald showed plenty of talent with all three making it through to the semi-finals.

Semi final one saw two surfers at different parts of their careers vying for their maiden World Qualifying Series finals berth. Sixteen-year-old Danny Williams has recently returned from the Australian National Titles and would take on a more experienced campaigner and big wave charger Kit Rayner.

Semi two saw Godwin smash his opening wave with some on rail top to bottom combinations that was rewarded with a 7.10 by the judges.

Godwin was on fire locking away another good wave averaging a 7.50pt ride and a step closer to the 2008 SunSmart Surfmasters title.