Junior Women’s Champion, Mia Waite. Credit: Surfing Australia
The 2024 Australian Longboard Titles landed on Cabarita Point, showcasing talent from across the country from 12-17 September.
Queensland athletes displayed textbook style and determination in the Junior divisions, with 16-year-old Mia Waite (Noosa Heads, QLD) and 15-year-old Lennix Currie (Tewantin, QLD) claiming victory in the Junior Men’s and Women’s longboarding divisions.
Waite dominated the day, posting the highest single wave score, an 8.83 (out of a possible 10), 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, so I’m really pleased with my surfing today,” Waite said.
Currie also successfully defended his 2023 title, while Luana Matthies (Miami, QLD) and Jive Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) secured runner-up positions in the Junior Men’s and Women’s longboarding divisions.
Clinton Guest (Bokarina, QLD) surfed an exceptional final and claimed the runner-up spot in the Open Men division.
The Australian Longboard Titles concluded on 17 September, with champions crowned across all Master divisions, bringing a thrilling end to the event.
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.
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.
Josh Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) won the O40 Men’s division, and Honey Bec (Moffat Beach, QLD) secured victory in the O40 Women’s division.
Queensland placed second overall against the other five states.
U18 Junior Women
1st: Mia Waite (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 14.16
2nd: Luana Matthies (Miami, QLD) – 11.17
3rd: Nyjah Jay Duazon (Sunrise Beach, QLD) – 7.93
Under 18 Junior Men
1st: Lennix Currie (Tewantin, QLD) – 10.10
2nd: Jive Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 7.23
Open Women
3rd: Mia Waite (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 10.46
Open Men
2nd: Clinton Guest (Bokarina, QLD) – 12.70
3rd: Josh Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 11.70
O40 Men – Final
1st: Josh Constable (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 16.00
2nd: Ben Williams (Biggera Waters, QLD) – 13.40
O40 Women – Final
1st: Honey Bec (Moffat Beach, QLD) – 12.33
4th: Trista Vallentine (Tallebudgera, QLD) – 4.10
O50 Women – Final
2nd: Kate Perry (Yandina Creek, QLD) – 7.33
3rd: Juanita Read (Wakerley, QLD) – 4.67
O60 Men – Final
2nd: Bruce Dunne (Coolum Beach, QLD) – 8.36
O60 Women – Final
1st: Kate Perry (Yandina Creek, QLD) – 9.90
O65 Men – Final
2nd: Bruce Dunne (Coolum Beach, QLD) – 9.13
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.
