Ben Considine and Bea Conroy claimed victory in the opening round of the Victorian Longboard Titles on Phillip Island, edging one step closer to securing a wildcard into the Bells Beach Classic.
Competitors were greeted with idyllic autumn conditions across the weekend. Saturday 20 February saw Cat Bay turn on offshore winds and clean, consistent two-foot waves that allowed competitors to showcase classic longboard style and flow.
A slight drop in swell and wind direction change saw competition move to Surfies Point for finals day on Sunday 21 February.
In the Open Men’s final, Considine (Barwon Heads) delivered a solid performance, posting a two-wave heat total of 16.64 with two excellent scoring rides.
Sam Dunton (Mornington Peninsula) finished runner-up on 13.83 points, narrowly ahead of Will Cousins (Torquay, 13.77) while Thomas Fahey (Mornington Peninsula, 12.44) placed fourth.
The Open Women’s final was a tightly contested affair with Conroy (Point Lonsdale) emerging victorious on a 13.67 heat total.
Conroy edged out Rori Reyntjes (Torquay), who finished just behind on 13.50, Emma Webb (Torquay, 10.24) claimed third and Angela King (Torquay, 7.53) was fourth.
Current Over 60 Men’s Australian Champion Greg Brown (Lorne) again showed his dominance taking out the Over 50 and Over 60 Men’s divisions.
With valuable ratings points now on the board, the race for the Victorian Longboard Title and Wildcard into the WSL Bells Beach Longboard Classic is on.
Round 1 Event Champions
Open Men: Ben Considine (Barwon Heads)
Open Women: Bea Conroy (Point Lonsdale)
Under 18 Women: Delilah Chisholm (Torquay)
Over 40 Men: Andrew Burgan (Phillip Island)
Over 40 Women: Emma Webb (Torquay)
Over 50 Men: Greg Brown (Lorne)
Over 50 Women: Jacquie Chambers
Over 60 Men: Greg Brown (Lorne)
Over 60 Women: Sian Adnam (Cape Woolamai)
Over 70 Men: Brian Thompson (Safety Beach)
Over 70 Women: Jenene Nelson (Torquay)
