Ben Considine (Barwon Heads) and Bea Conroy (Point Lonsdale) have claimed top honours in the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions at Round 2 of the Victorian Longboard Titles.
With their victories, both surfers have earned coveted wild card entries into the 2025 Bells Beach Longboard Classic.
Veteran surfer Greg Brown (Lorne) proved that age is just a number, putting on a masterclass in both the Over 50 and Over 60 Men’s finals. In the opening moments of finals day, Brown impressed judges and spectators alike with a combination of critical nose riding and sharp forehand carves. His consistency and flow saw him post combined heat totals exceeding 15.00 points in both divisions – a testament to his technical ability and competitive experience. It was a commanding performance that reaffirmed his reputation as one of Victoria’s finest longboarders.
The Open Women’s final kicked off with Rori Reyntjes (Torquay) setting the tone early, locking in a 6.50 point ride thanks to a fast-paced charge and a tidy nose ride that hinted at even more potential to come. Ebony Maier (Cape Woolamai) was quick to establish herself in the heat as well, banking two early scoring rides to secure second place, while Conroy slotted into third with a stylish 5.17 point ride for a smooth rail-to-rail carve, needing just 3.84 points to overtake Reyntjes.
At the halfway mark, Reyntjes extended her lead with a 4.33-point ride, executing a precise drop-knee carve and raising the requirements for her competitors. Conroy responded with a smart wave selection, picking off a right-hander that reformed into a left on the inside, allowing her to link manoeuvers for a 3.23 point ride and move into second. But with a 5.67 still required for first, the pressure was on.
With less than five minutes remaining, Conroy found her moment. Taking off on a long-running right-hander, she glided down the line with composure, walking the board with finesse and maximising the traditional judging criteria. The ride earned her a 6.40 point ride, propelling her into the lead and ultimately securing both the heat win and the Victorian State Championship title that gave her a spot in the 2025 Bells Beach Longboard Classic.
“The conditions were really difficult, but I was happy to get the win,” said Conroy.
“It’s really good and motivating to make it into the event at Bells as it will refocus my surfing, and I’m excited for the winter of waves ahead.”
The Open Men’s final showcased elite longboarding and Considine wasted no time stamping his authority. Straight out of the gates, Considine launched into a critical hang ten, transitioning seamlessly into carving turns to shore for a 7.83 point ride, taking the early lead. His momentum continued with another exceptional ride, featuring an extended nose ride on a tight inside section and a carving manoeuvre to finish. This wave earned him an 8.17, giving him a strong buffer over the field.
Challenger Thomas Fahey (Balnarring) kept the final alive with a standout ride of his own, combining multiple nose rides with a strong backhand re-entry to post a 7.07 point ride, momentarily putting him within striking distance of the lead. But Considine wasn’t done yet.
Just as Fahey threatened to close the gap, Considine delivered the wave of the final – a long, flowing ride where he found his rhythm on the nose and then transitioned with precision into a tail carve. With the crowd cheering him on, the judges awarded a massive 9.00, placing his rivals in a combination situation and sealing the win in style.
The victory not only gave Considine the Open Men’s title at the event but also earned him the overall state championship and a wild card entry into the 2025 Bells Beach Longboard Classic.
“The final went well today, I started with some strong scores and some waves that linked up, it was tricky out there but I was lucky to snag a couple,” he said.
“Going back to Bells is epic, I’ve done a lot of work from a strategy perspective and the all-round surfing game, so I can’t wait to compete with the best and see how I go.”
