SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND (Wednesday, 19 April, 2023) – The third day of the Queensland Surf Championships (QSC) took place today, with the spotlight on the Longboard divisions. With an increase of swell, the event was held in pumping conditions at Alex Bluff on the Sunshine Coast.
The competition was intense and exciting, with surfers from all over the state showcasing their skills in the three-to-four foot pumping right-hand point break. There were multiple divisions, ranging from the Under 18 Juniors to the Over 70’s Legends.
The day started with the Grand Legends Men’s Over 70 Division. It was clear from the outset that the competition was going to be fierce. The waves were pumping, and the surfers were putting on a show, with excellent rides and stylish manoeuvres.
As the day progressed, the action moved through the range of divisions, with the Juniors, Grand Dukes Masters, Kahunas, Opens and Legends, all battling for a title of Queensland Surf Champion and a position at the Australian Titles.
After a full day of surfing, the winners were decided, and the Queensland team was selected.
Previous Australian Champion, Kirra Molnar, was the star attraction today, winning the Open Women’s Longboard Division. Yesterday Surfing Australia announced Molnar will be representing Australia at the 2023 ISA World Longboard Championship in El Salvador from May 7-13.
Molnar said she had a ball surfing in the waves today at Alex and is stoked to take the win.
“I’m stoked to surf pumping Alex today and even more stoked to be crowned the Queensland Open Women Longboard Champion,” said Molnar. “I’m really excited to represent Australia in two weeks time at World Championships. I still feel like I have a lot of training to do but today was definitely a good warmup.”
The Open Men’s blue-ribbon division was taken out by 2022 Under 18 Australian Longboard Champion, Landen Smales.Smales also proved his ability in the Under 18 Junior Men division, putting on a consistent display of stylish surfing to claim two Queensland Titles.
The winners of each division were as follows:
- Grand Masters Women Over 40: Honey Bec
- Over 70 Women: Rosie Sinkora
- Under 18 Junior Women: Mia Waite
- Under 18 Junior Men: Landen Smales
- Legends Men Over 65: Albie Curtis
- Grand Dukes Over 60: Wally Allan
- Kahunas Men Over 45: Wayne Foster
- Dukes Men Over 55: Hayden Swan
- Grand Masters Men Over 40: Ben Williams
- Grand Legends Men Over 70: Denis Carberry
- Grand Kahunas Men Over 50: Nigel Canterbury
- Open Women: Kirra Molnar
- Open Men: Landen Smales
Surfing Queensland Event Manager, Elliot Dempster, said “It was an incredible day of waves and we saw some outstanding performances from all competitors. The Longboard divisions are always a highlight of the Queensland Surf Championships, and this year was no exception. Congratulations to all the winners, and we wish the Queensland team the best of luck in the Australian Surfing Titles.”
The Queensland Surf Championships will continue over the coming days, with more exciting action expected as the state’s best surfers battle it out for glory.
The 2023 Queensland Surf Championships is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Queensland Government, DriTimes, We Are Feel Good Inc., QMS Media, The Point, GoPro and Travla.
