Bodyboarder finishes strongly

Young Albany bodyboarder Noah Symmans says finishing second in the open men's final at the Australian Bodyboard Titles held in New South Wales on Monday has still not sunk in.

The 15-year-old came close to capturing his maiden national bodyboard title, losing to Ben Veitch by less than a point in the gripping open men's final at Gallows Beach.

After failing to qualify for the national titles in the under-18 junior men's division, Noah made the WA State team in the open men's category.

His second place finish is something Noah is still coming to terms with.

"I wasn't expecting it at all, I was pretty surprised," he said. "It hasn't really kicked in yet, but I am pretty stoked."

Noah won his round 1 heat with 8.15, finishing second to WA's competitor Veitch in the second round.

Veitch, with 8.35, edged out Noah on 8.25, both reaching the semifinals.

Noah scored 15.50 in the semifinal, with Veitch also moving through to the final with 12.35. In the final, prevailed, scoring 11.55 to Noah's 11.15.

Noah said he surfed his best in the heats.

"I just wanted to go better than last year," he said.

"When I won the semi I was so pumped."

Noah said it was a tense final with the waves dropping right off.

"It was such a slow final, the whole day it had been pumping and then in the final it slowed up," he said.

"There wasn't many waves so it came down to who had the most patience.

"I needed a 5.06 from my last wave to win but I got a 4.9 so I was pretty (devastated)."

The young gun said he was grateful for all the support from his WA teammates.