BL and Louie – the Men Behind the Scenes

January 23 2012 | Posted in Press Releases, 

Two Aussie surf legends, 1988 World Champion Barton Lynch and powerhouse goofy-foot, Luke Egan, are the men behind the scenes, working together as Contest Directors for the inaugural Australian Open of Surfing.  

With an incredible combined 37 years on the world tour, Lynch and Egan will bring their unparalleled experience and local knowledge to Manly, responsible for the daily schedule of one of Australia’s biggest tournaments.

The primary role for both of these guys is to maintain a critical eye on the surf and the forecast to ensure the world’s best are afforded the best possible conditions in which to compete. With a 6-Star ASP Men’s division, a 6-Star ASP women’s division, as well as the guys and girls 4-Star ASP Pro Junior events, they’re going to have their hands full!

BL and Louie were rivals when they were on the world tour, now they’re looking forward to working together at Manly Beach. 

“I grew up in Manly and from the age of 12 until 30 I surfed there nearly every day. The Coke Surf-about was the biggest event then and it inspired me to become a pro-surfer, but there has been nothing like it since 1999,” says BL.   

“The return of a large-scale competition will give Sydneysiders and tourists the opportunity to see the best surfing in the world at Manly, and at this time of year we are expecting good, consistent waves.” 

Louie is an experienced hand when it comes to directing events. The former world number two was there at the Billabong Pro, Tahiti last year when the world witnessed the biggest-ever swell seen at Teahupo’o, and he will be directing at least three of this year’s ASP World Tour events. 

“Sydney hasn’t seen an event of this caliber in many years and the area is home to such a huge surf community. It will be great for fans to able to stroll down the road and see the world’s best doing their thing in Sydney waves again,” says Egan. 

“I have fond memories of competing at Manly and surfing some great waves at Queenscliff as a rookie. I remember beating Occy there when I was pretty young and making the quarter-finals. And I remember watching Damien Hardman win his world title. 

“It will be amazing to showcase modern, world-class surfing in the waves Manly is capable of producing. February can dish out quality waves, even if the waves are two-to-four feet, it will be a spectacle to watch,” adds Egan.

Some serious credentials, here’s a little more info on them:

LUKE EGAN  

Luke Egan grew up the son of a legendary board shaper and surfed from a young age at Merewether near Newcastle.  Egan, who is now based in Tweed Heads, retired from professional surfing in 2005 with four WCT victories to his name and after spending an incredible 22 years as a touring professional – longer than any other surfer. Since that time Luke has coached Joel Parkinson (World No. 2), and retains key roles within the industry, including his annual role as Contest Director at the Billabong Pro, Tahiti and the annual ASP World Junior Championships. 

Barton Lynch at Manly Beach - Photographer Will Burgess

BARTON LYNCH 

“BL” remains one of the most formidable figures in surfing of the last three decades. He spent 13 consecutive years in the elite Top 16 rated surfers.  Barton continues to surf every single day, still regularly enjoying the breaks in and around Manly from his Northern Beaches home base. Barton retired from competition in March 1998, after 15 years on the ASP tour and a total of 17 WCT victories.

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