It's been a long time between drinks for Central Coast surfer Grant Molony as he collected his third championship win at the annual Drop-Knee Sessions tournament in Port Macquarie.
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Twenty-three drop-knee bodyboarding specialists took on challenging off-shore conditions at Lighthouse Beach on October 26.
Sunshine Coast visitor Gary Thatcher was a strong favourite to take home the trophy after winning both the 2017 and 2018 events.
Organiser Clayton Pickworth said Molony made his mark in each heat to collect a win this year, alongside two previous victories in 2003 and 2010.
"It's been a while since his last win but that just shows how hard this competition is," said Pickworth.
"Grant was surfing really well throughout the event and got hold of some nice big floaters, some good manoeuvres on the waves he chose.
"He knocked off Gary Thatcher in the final, stopping him from getting three in a row."
Read more:Check out the action from the 2017 event
Drop-knee surfers balanced their way half standing, half sitting through the waves over the weekend. Clean manoeuvres were hard to come by with strong winds and two to three foot swell.
"The wind was just relentless, about 30 knots all day and it did not let up," said Pickworth.
"We had a good day, the guys hung in there during some pretty average surf to make the most of it and seemed to be having fun.
"The wind was really holding the swell out and the tide held the swell out mostly. It wasn't really good enough for them to have a good dig at it."
Competitors put in the miles to make the event with many travelling from across South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
"We had competitors in the water this year from Sunshine Coast, four from Victoria and a few from Central Coast and Coffs Harbour," said Pickworth.
"Chris Harris was a local who made in through a few heats and got to the second heat.
"There was some nice big snaps and big floaters throughout the day, in some tough conditions.
"Thanks to the local surfers for giving up the beach for the day and everyone who supported the event this year."
The Drop-Knee Sessions is arguably the longest running drop-knee contest on the coast.
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