Aussie camaraderie shines at the Australian Longboard Titles

The Australian Longboard Titles have 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 this afternoon, including Jason Livingston (North Curl Curl, NSW), who won the Over 50 and Over 55 Men’s divisions.

“It was really tough out there—you duck dive a wave and get pushed back 20 metres. I did three laps! The competition was fierce, and the boys really pushed me all the way. I didn’t get the highest scoring wave of the heat, so I knew I had to fight hard. The Tweed Coast delivered with great waves, and going to Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre was great,” Livingston said.

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.

Tony Abood (Kingscliff, NSW) took home the Australian Longboard Title for Over 65 Men.

“I was fortunate to get off to a good start. I did the run-around, got hammered on the way back out, but managed to snag a couple more waves. I think I’ll sleep well tonight,” Abood said.

“Whether you come first or last, everyone’s happy to be here. To win this and share it with close friends, it’s something really special,” Abood added.

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 WA. 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 – Fianls 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
4th – Western Australia
5th – South Australia
6th – Tasmania

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.

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

Entry to the Australian Titles is 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.

Tony Abood from Kingscliff, NSW surfing in the Over 65 Men’s final. Credit: Hannah Jessup / Surfing Australia

The 2024 Australian Longboard Titles have wrapped up on the Tweed Coast with champions crowned in the Master divisions. Credit: Hannah Jessup / Surfing Australia