ON SEPTEMBER 17, the Australian Longboard Titles concluded with champions crowned across all Master divisions, bringing a thrilling end to the event at Cabarita Beach on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales.
Surfing Australia Contest Director Glen Elliott hailed the competition as an outstanding success.
“It has been a superb week and a true celebration of Australian longboard surfing. The camaraderie and the strong Aussie spirit shared by longboarders from across the country have been on full display,” Elliott said.
With solid surf persisting, athletes were once again tested by challenging conditions on Finals Day.
“The swell held steady from yesterday, with fairly strong winds keeping the surf pulsing throughout the day. Many of the Masters surfers are absolutely exhausted. The state caddies helping surfers navigate the big conditions by meeting them at the shore break and running their boards to the paddle-out point,” Elliott said.
Ten Australian Longboard Champions were crowned. Kate Perry (Yandina Creek, QLD) claimed the Australian Title in the Over 60 Women’s division after also competing in the Over 50s, where she placed second.
“It’s always fun here. You meet so many great people from all over Australia, surfers who are just as passionate about the sport as you are. I’ve been chasing an Australian Title for a while, so this win is special. 2024 has seen a fantastic turnout at the Aussies,” Perry said.
Phillip Island Board Rider and Cape Woolamai local Sian Adnam – mother to professional surfer Sophie Fletcher made the finals in her first competition in the Over 60 Women’s division.
“I participated by chance; I was encouraged by another local to compete at Surfies Point in the Victorian State Title and ended up placing third. I then competed at 13th beach and qualified for the national competition, which was my first national event,” Adnam shared.
“The final day of the competition was particularly tough, with large waves and strong currents; I’d never surfed Cabarita before but the supportive environment among the competitors, and the camaraderie was just amazing, and I hope my involvement encourages other women to surf.”
This year’s Wayne Deane Spirit of Longboarding Award, presented to the person who embodies the true spirit of the sport, was awarded to Matt Inman from Western Australia. Commended as the “super caddy” Inman ran boards for nearly every surfer, regardless of state. Meanwhile, the Overall State Champion was New South Wales.
2024 Australian Longboard Titles - Finals Results:
O40 Men - Final - Josh Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) - 16.00. Ben Williams (Biggera Waters, QLD) - 13.40. Mark Miccoli (Patterson Lakes, VIC) - 7.63. Scott Trew (Gabbadah, WA) - 6.40
O40 Women - Final - Honey Bec (Moffat Beach, QLD) - 12.33. Wendy Stevenson (Banora Point, NSW) - 10.27. Eglantine Balland (Carrum, VIC) - 7.46. Trista Vallentine (Tallebudgera, QLD) - 4.10
O45 Men - Final - Paul Burke (Dunsborough, WA) - 10.44. Liam McCafferty (McCrae, VIC) - 9.33. Michael Paxton (Dodges Ferry, TAS) - 7.74. Mark Miccoli (Patterson Lakes, VIC) - 7.06
O50 Men - Final - Jason Livingston (North Curl Curl, NSW) - 12.26. Alan Morrison (Yamba, NSW) - 6.23. Paul Burke (Dunsborough, WA) - 4.77. Liam McCafferty (McCrae, VIC) - 4.00
O50 Women - Final - Sue McComb (Caves Beach, NSW) - 9.96. Kate Perry (Yandina Creek, QLD) - 7.33 Juanita Read (Wakerley, QLD) - 4.67. Judy Dann (Two Rocks, WA) - 4.07
O55 Men - Final - Jason Livingston (North Curl Curl, NSW) - 12.50. Tony Rae (Hastings Point, NSW) - 11.70 Dave Smith (Osborne Park, WA) - 10.40. JP Willis (Moonee Beach, NSW) - 8.50
O60 Men - Final - Robert Smith (Caringbah, NSW) - 10.63. Bruce Dunne (Coolum Beach, QLD) - 8.36. Jay Carter (Tweed Heads South, NSW) - 8.00. John Fraser (The Entrance North, NSW) - 6.07
O60 Women - Final - Kate Perry (Yandina Creek, QLD) - 9.90. Anne Duncan (Bungawalbyn, NSW) - 7.36 . Andrea Bohm (Freshwater, NSW) - 6.20. Sian Adnam (Cape Woolamai, VIC) - 5.24
O65 Men - Final - Tony Abood (Kingscliff, NSW) - 11.60. Bruce Dunne (Coolum Beach, QLD) - 9.13. Brian Kuit (Torquay, VIC) - 7.73. Jonathon Lavers (Cronulla, NSW) - 6.84
O70 Men - Final - Peter Becker (Palmvale, NSW) - 8.37. Daniel Bond (Blue Bay, NSW) - 6.94. Earle Page (Arrawarra Headland, NSW) - 5.40. John Amos (Goolwa Beach, SA) - 4.40
Overall State Champion:
1st - New South Wales. 2nd - Queensland. 3rd - Victoria