Day 1 dawned at 5.30 for the hard working Werri Boardriders crew and thanks to a very strong westerly wind during the very early hours of Saturday morning, the morning light shone onto a very flat, wave barren Werri Beach.

It wasn't a decision that Slash organisers wanted to make, but it was agreed to postpone the event and go for Sunday with the promise of new swell.

The decision paid off in bucket loads as dawn on day two broke and revealed a swell that was clean, large and angled perfectly for the A-frame bank that was split  two-ways. Contest organisers decided to 'double bank' the event, ie. run two heats simultaneously.

It was going to be a close call to complete a 2 day event in one day but thanks to the waves, wind, weather, Team Werri and The Slash's uncanny luck for delivering at least one day of perfect waves, the event was finished in fading light.

It was a feast of 4-6' surf, fanned by a gentle offshore breeze for nearly every heat, with the best surfers from the Illawarra and South Coast revelling in the perfect conditions.

The seven age divisions were almost full and the many spectators on the beach were treated to a surfing spectacle of the highest order. With the tides being almost perfect for the day, even the final few finals surfed on a high tide were of the highest order.

As the glorious autumn sunshine faded behind the distant mountains, the presentation was held on the sand with a huge gallery still present, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners and final place getters.

In the Carve Cadet U/14 Boys, Riley Watson claimed victory ahead of Chad Elkins, Luke Soulos-Ramsey and Keanu Miller.

Up next was DSN Surfboards U/16 Cadet Boys and it was Dylan Rogers pipping Harry Steele in a close one with Chad Hobby in 3rd and Brendan Barton taking 4th.

The Pure Lilly U/16 Cadet Girls was a standout final with the rising female talent of the NSW South Coast on show. 12 year old Kiara Meredith took her first Slash crown with victory from Tess Mawson, reigning champ Billie Melinz and Werri local Chiara Arthur. Backing up in the Oceanside Kitchens Open Womens, Billie Melinz showed class to claim the Open Womens crown from Rubie Reents and Werri locals Natalie Davies and Celia Miller.

In the Lime Building Group U/18 Boys Louis Gillick took a close one ahead of Harry Steele, who once again had to settle for 2nd place, Jordan Fowler and Werri's Liam Moore.

As the day was ending the Martin & Holmes Legal Senior Mens saw a new champion emerge with Slash first timer and Werri member Brian Dobson rack up some early scores to push fellow club member and perennial finalist Allan Farrell in to 2nd place. Craig Morris took 3rd ahead of Kiama's Peter Flanagan.

The blue ribbon division, the Campbells Ray White Open Mens, attracted the best of the Illawarra and south coast surfing talent from the first heat of the day.

As the heats progressed to the final, the best of the best remained and it was Kiama's Rhys Bomabci going back-to-back with a superb display of flowing and dynamic surfing to see off Ty Watson, Dean Bowen and Jordi Watson. Ty wasn't left that much disappointed as he claimed the Werri Beach Bricklaying Best Barrel award whilst Hayden Blair consoled himself after a semi-final exit by winning the Drop Wallet Layback prize, generously donated by Werri Boardrider Glenn Randell.

The 26th Annual Werri Autumn Slash has maintained its position as the premier surfing contest on the South Coast with the generous support of Surf Dive 'N' Ski, FK Unlimited, Kiteley's Roofing World, Morrellis Wines, Wave Creations, Advanced Concrete Cutting and All Around Fencing. Without the support of those businesses The Slash would not be the event it is today.

Werri Boardriders wish to thank those sponsors for their support and ask the surfing community to support those that support local and regional surfing.