Four new champions crowned at the 2024 Australian Longboard Titles

The 2024 Australian Longboard Titles have crowned four new champions after a day of glassy offshore conditions at Cabarita Point. Two New South Wales and two Queensland surfers claimed victories in what has been an exciting competition so far.

Surfing Australia Contest Director Glen Elliott said: “We were greeted with prime longboard conditions in the three-to-four-foot range. As the tide filled in, it offered multiple scoring opportunities from the outside banks through to the inside shore break. First in the water were the elder statesmen in the Over-55 and Over-60 age divisions. The Over-40 Men also took to the water, showcasing just how competitive that division is going to be. After lunch, the Junior and Open Men and Women semifinalists hit the water in clean conditions, with big open walls allowing the surfers to display their full array of impressive longboard manoeuvres.”

16-year-old Mia Waite (Noosa Heads, QLD) dominated the day, posting the highest single wave score, an 8.83, and the highest heat total of the day, 14.16 (out of a possible 20), to secure back-to-back Australian Titles.

“I’m super glad I could defend my title. I haven’t had waves that good in a long time, super pleased with my surfing today,” Waite said.

Lennix Currie (Tewantin, QLD) also successfully defended his 2023 title. While Tully White (Allambie Heights, NSW) was a standout in the Open Women’s division, taking home the win.

“I’m super grateful and I can’t wait to represent Australia on the world stage at the ISA’s. I also wanted to say a massive well done to the Junior girls. I’ve never been so blown away, they’ve been incredible, ” White said.

In the Open Men’s division, Declan Wyton (Manly, NSW) delivered a masterclass in clean cross stepping, nose-riding and power turns, earning him a third Australian Title.

“It’s been pumping and the standard has been super high having Josh, Archy and Clinton all in the final. Cabarita is the best spot for a competition. It is like a big amphitheater looking down – it’s great. The Juniors have been incredible they are such an inspiration. The standard is so high we’re just looking over our shoulders waiting for them to knock us out in the Opens. Very thankful to Surfing Australia for getting behind longboarding and putting on this event. This is the best Aussies I’ve been to,” Wyton said.

Similar conditions are forecast tomorrow, with southerly winds and a building swell into the afternoon for the Masters age divisions.

2024 Australian Longboard Titles – Finals Results:

U18 Junior Women
Mia Waite (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 14.16
Luana Matthies (Miami, QLD) – 11.17
Nyjah Jay Duazon (Sunrise Beach, QLD) – 7.93
Mahli Abbott (Pottsville, NSW) – 7.07

Under 18 Junior Men
Lennix Currie (Tewantin, QLD) – 10.10
Jive Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 7.23
Ted Conroy (Point Lonsdale, VIC) – 7.14
Kai Flynn (Cowaramup, WA) – 5.27

Open Women
Tully White (Allambie Heights, NSW) – 12.57
Melanie Staunton (Belmont, VIC) – 10.87
Mia Waite (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 10.46
Emma Perrier (Tweed Heads. NSW) – 7.87

Open Men
Declan Wyton (Manly, NSW) – 14.24
Clinton Guest (Bokarina, QLD) – 12.70
Josh Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 11.70
Archy Bemrose (Kingscliff, NSW) – 9.23

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, 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.

2024 Australian Longboard Champion Lennix Currie (U18 Junior Men). Credit: Hannah Jessup / Surfing Australia

2024 Australian Longboard Champion Mia Waite (U18 Junior Women). Credit: Hannah Jessup / Surfing Australia