Surfing legends shine as Over 70s steal the show at the Australian Longboard Titles

The 2024 Australian Longboard Titles continued today, with the remaining Masters age divisions taking to the water in clean, contestable conditions. Cabarita Point once again delivered perfect waves for longboarding as the Over 45 Men, Over 40 Women, Over 50 Men, Over 50 Women, Over 65 Men, Over 60 Women, and Over 70 Men kicked off their Round 1 heats.

The full day of competition saw some exceptional performances, particularly in the Over 60 Women and Over 70 Men divisions.

MC and Commentator Belen Alvarez-Kimble said, “The day started with light offshore winds and glassy waves in the morning, allowing everyone to truly showcase their talent. Conditions stayed contestable all day, and everyone was so stoked to surf. The Over 60 Women were a standout—the camaraderie between those ladies was outstanding, and they were high-fiving each other. The Over 70 Men put on an absolute clinic. Hands down, they surfed better than everyone else today. It really shows that longboarding is one of the few sports where all ages can participate.”

At 79 years of age, John Nolan (Palm Beach, QLD) is the oldest surfer at the event, competing in his third Australian Longboard Titles.

“I’d always been a weekend warrior until I retired three years ago and was able to get to a standard where I could compete at the Queensland Titles. There are three surfers in the Over 70s who are multiple Australian champions, and as we all get older, there are guys moving up, so the competition is even stronger. The camaraderie is fantastic, and it’s just a great event. I’ve caught up with guys I haven’t seen since the last Aussies. I’m hosting Bob (Robert) Smith from Victoria—we’re competing against each other, and it’s fine!”

Earlier in the day, Paul Burke (WA) posted a near-excellent single wave score of 7.23 in Over 50 Men. But it was 78-year-old Daniel Bond (Blue Bay, NSW), who came away with the highest heat total of the day—14.66 (out of a possible 20).

In the afternoon, Round 2 heats got underway for the Over 40 Men, Over 50 Men, Over 50 Women, Over 45 Men, Over 40 Women, Over 55 Men, Over 60 Women, and Over 60 Men divisions.

There was just one round of semifinals today in the Over 60 Women, with Andrea Bohm (Freshwater, NSW) taking the win ahead of Sian Adnam (Cape Woolamai, VIC). Bohm and Adnam will meet Kate Perry (Yandina Creek, QLD) and Anne Duncan (Bungawalbyn, NSW) in the final on Tuesday.

Semifinalist matchups were also locked-in for the Over 40 Women, Over 50 Women, and Over 45 Men.

Tomorrow will bring another big day of competition, with Round 2 and 3 heats continuing, along with semifinals for the Over 40 Women, Over 50 Women, Over 65 Men and Over 45 Men.

The forecast looks promising for competitors, with building swell from strong southerly winds set to continue.

Australian Longboard Titles – semifinal heat matchups:

O40 Women – Semifinal Heat 1
Honey Bec (Moffat Beach, QLD)
Tati Guedes (Queenscliff, NSW)
Juliana Scopel (Kiama, NSW)
Trista Vallentine (Tallebudgera, QLD)

O40 Women – Semifinal Heat 2
Laura Pigott (Freshwater, NSW)
Eglantine Balland (Carrum, VIC)
Wendy Stevenson (Banora Point, NSW)
Louise Kelly (Middleton, SA)

Over 50 Women – Semifinal Heat 1
Kate Perry (Yandina Creek, QLD)
Erika Oemcke (Port Noarlunga, SA)
Sam Wilson (Caves Beach, NSW)
Judy Dann (Two Rocks, WA)

Over 50 Women – Semifinal Heat 2
Sue McComb (Caves Beach, NSW)
Kirsty Best (Coolangatta, QLD)
Penelope Andrews (Barwon Heads, VIC)
Juanita Read (Wakerley, QLD)

O45 Men – Semifinal Heat 1
Bill Arrizabalaga (Alexandra Headland, QLD)
Liam McCafferty (McCrae, VIC)
Mark Miccoli (Patterson Lakes, VIC)
Simon Mclean (Victor Harbor, SA)

O45 Men – Semifinal Heat 2
Matthew Anderson (Davidson , NSW)
Michael Paxton (Dodges Ferry, TAS)
Paul Burke (Dunsborough, WA)
Andrew Tyler (Malua Bay, NSW)

About the 2024 Australian Surf Championships:
The longboard divisions of the 2024 Australian Surf Championships are being held as a stand-alone event on Bundjalung Country, along the stunning Tweed Coast in northern New South Wales.

As the longest-running event on the Australian surfing calendar, with athletes representing all six surfing states, this year’s competition promises to be thrilling. The six-day event will take place at some of the region’s most renowned surf spots, including Cabarita Beach, Kingscliff Beach, Fingal Beach, and Duranbah Beach.

Winners of the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions will earn a spot in the Australian surfing team, the Irukandjis, for next year’s International Surfing Association (ISA) World Longboard Championship. Additionally, all division winners will receive a longboard-specific coaching experience at the Hyundai Surfing Australia HPC.

Australian Longboard Titles – divisions:
Under 18 Junior Men
Under 18 Junior Women
Open Men
Open Women
Grand Masters Women O40
Grand Masters Men O40
Kahunas Men O45
Grand Kahunas Men O50
Women O50
Dukes Men O55
Grand Dukes O60
O60 Women
Legends Men O65
Grand Legends Men O70
O70 Women

Please refer to the 2024 Surfing Australia Rule Book for the most up-to-date longboard criteria.

Schedule:

• Opening Ceremony:
  Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
• Competition Windows:
  WINDOW 1: Friday, September 13, 2024 – Saturday, September 14, 2024
  Divisions: Open Men & Women, U18 Junior Men & Women
  Presentation: To be held after competition on Saturday, September 14, 2024
  WINDOW 2: Saturday, September 14, 2024 – Tuesday, September 17, 2024
  Divisions: Over 40 Men & Women, Over 45 Men & Over 50 Men & Women, Over 55 Men, Over 60 Men & Women, Over 65 Men & Over 70 Men & Women
  Presentation: To be held after the competition on Tuesday, September 17, 2024

For more information, please visit australiansurfchampionships.com/longboard.

Entry to the Australian Titles are by state qualification or invitation as a wildcard.

The Australian Titles are supported by the Hyundai Surfing Australian High Performance Centre (HPC), Jim Beam and Surfers for Climate.

O60 Women division competitor, Andrea Bohm. Credit: Hannah Jessup / Surfing Australia

O70 Men division competitor, Daniel Bond. Credit: Hannah Jessup / Surfing Australia