Megan Gale making waves

The Layne Beachley celebrity invitational surf contest saw some of Australia’s hottest celebrities taking to the waves on Manly beach yesterday.

While the conditions at Sydney’s Manly Beach turned chilly for onlookers, stars such as Australian supermodel Megan Gale, tennis player Pat Rafter and Guy Leech shone in the stormy surf conditions.

Showing some impressive form on the board, Gale caught three waves in the choppy swell, standing to the crowds delight on two and setting up the challenge to the A-list competition.

The charity “surf-off” was organised by Beachley, who led her team of VIPs, including water polo player Debbie Watson and TV host Jason Dundas, to victory.

Gale’s team of Leech, cricket star Michael Slater and former surfing champion Barton Lynch, managed third.

“I started surfing last year, but have only managed two cracks at it this year because I’ve been so busy,” Gale said. “I did score a really good wave early on, but there was a strong rip out there and it was tough for most of us.”

A keen surfer, the Perth-born beauty suffered for her sport last year when she was being struck by the fin of her board. But the fashion ambassador was all smiles yesterday, as she surfed alongside some of the glamour girls of sport including Olympic walker, Jane Saville, snowboard champion, Torah Bright and retired volley ball star, Kerri Pottharst.

There were some impressive moves from the male contingent, with Rafter showing retirement has been kind to his board skills.

TV vet Dr Chris Brown was a crowd favourite, decked out in a hot pink rash vest and scoring extra points for a spectacular backflip off his surfboard.