Champions crowned at the 2024 Australian SUP Titles

PHILLIP ISLAND, VIC (October 25, 2024): Eleven SUP Surfing Champions have been crowned, and the Technical Race has also been run and won on the third day of competition at the 2024 Australian SUP Titles on Phillip Island.

Contest Director Liam Robertson said: “Finals day for the SUP Surfing and the Technical Race saw lighter winds and sunshine for all our competitors. We were back at Right Point with super fun two-foot waves and light offshore winds for the surfing. The Technical Race was held at Cat Bay, where we also had great conditions.”

Competitors from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia dominated the SUP surfing, with Kai Bates (Mollymook, NSW) and Isi Campbell (Denmark, WA) taking out the Open Men’s and Open Women’s divisions, respectively. Bates secured victory with his two best waves scoring 7.67 and 7.63, narrowly edging out Indy Rose (Avalon, NSW) by just 0.77 points.

“Feels great to win the nationals after missing a few years, Bates said. “There were some fun rights that were turning into lefts and cleaning up as they hit the inside section. I had a quick start and then couldn’t find many waves at the end of the heat. Thanks to Surfing Victoria crew and Surfing Australis for finding the best conditions and running a great contest.”

Meanwhile, Campbell posted the highest heat total of the day, a 16.33 (out of a possible 20), with two excellent scores of 8.33 and 8.00.

Campbell said SUP boarding has been part of her rehabilitation journey.

“I am one year post shoulder reconstruction,” Campbell said. “SUP boarding is something I can do with my dad and have some fun competing. I am taking it as it comes and my long term goals are to continue with more QS (Qualifying Series) surfing with hopes of making the Challenger Series.”

In the Over 50’s Women’s division, Gwen Carbone (Ocean Grove, VIC), claimed the title.”I went in with no expectations because it has been so long since my last competition,” Carbone said. “The people here are fantastic. It’s a community. All the women are supportive of each other. Surfing Australia runs a really professional competition, very good communications and fair judging. I was just super stoked and it’s awesome to come first.”

Marty Cole (Crescent Head, NSW) won the 10ft Open Men’s title and placed third in the Over 40 Men.

“I stayed busy, after having a shocker in the Over 40s and just tried to do the most critical turns using the longboard criteria with the cross stepping and nose riding, especially on the apex of the waves,” Cole said. “Staying busy in the dying conditions was the key element. I’ve been bridesmaid every other time so its great to win.”

Emma Webb (Jan Juc, VIC) claimed back-to-back titles in 10ft Open Women, while Jonathan Hagan (Robina, QLD) secured victory in the Technical Race, with an impressive time.

Victoria is currently clinching the overall state points however will need the marathon results to finalise the champion state.

The Marathon Race is expected to start at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, beginning at Coronet Bay and finishing at Cowes Foreshore.

2024 Australian SUP Titles – Finals Results:

Open Men
Kai Bates (Mollymook, NSW) – 15.30
Indy Rose (Avalon, NSW) – 14.53
Connor Linz (Salamander Bay, NSW) – 8.00
Matt Takle (Torquay, VIC) – 7.74

Open Women
Isi Campbell (Denmark, WA) – 16.33
Rebecca Dunning (Barrack Heights, NSW) – 10.50
Hannah Finlay-Jones (Merewether Heights, NSW) – 6.00
Ke’ale Dorries (Elanora, QLD) – 0.00

O50 Men
Chris Twomey (Karrinyup, WA) – 13.63
Andrew Cassidy (Mona Vale, NSW) – 13.33
Peter Campbell (Denmark, WA) – 9.77
Blair Moore (Woonona , NSW) – 8.73

O50 Women
Gwen Carbone (Ocean Grove, VIC) – 10.17
Kerry Davenport (Bateau Bay , NSW) – 6.36
Madeline Rayner (Berrara, NSW) – 5.40
Juanita Read (Wakerley, QLD) – 4.87

O40 Men
Matthew Russell (Kiama Downs, NSW) – 11.07
Troy Ashton (Mount Duneed, VIC) – 10.67
Marty Cole (Crescent Head, NSW) – 9.47
Richard Feeney (Wallabi Point, NSW) – 9.47

O40 Women
Rebecca Dunning (Barrack Heights, NSW) – 12.10
Lucy Bell (Sandringham, VIC) – 7.00
Madeline Rayner (Berrara, NSW) – 4.46
Xanthe Rivett (Rosebud, VIC) – 0.00

10ft Open Men
Marty Cole (Crescent Head, NSW) – 16.00
Matt Takle (Torquay, VIC) – 12.27
Liam McCafferty (McCrae, VIC) – 10.57
Andrew Cassidy (Mona Vale, NSW) – 7.33

10ft Open Women
Emma Webb (Jan Juc, VIC) – 11.50
Hannah Finlay-Jones (Merewether Heights, NSW) – 10.10

O50 Men LB SUP 
Liam McCafferty (McCrae, VIC) – 14.73
Jamie Ralston (Bicton, WA) – 12.07
Scott Penwarn (Varsity Lakes, QLD) – 8.67
Sam Hodder (Dromana, VIC) – 6.63

O40 Women LB SUP
Emma Webb (Jan Juc, VIC) – 13.43
Lucy Bell (Sandringham, VIC) – 6.30
Susanne Prosser (Wallington, VIC) – 4.80
Kerry Davenport (Bateau Bay, NSW) – 2.96

O60 10ft SUP
Jamie Ralston (Bicton, WA) – 14.83
Craig Caldwell (Summerland Point, NSW) – 9.80
John Takle (Torquay, VIC) – 9.34
Michael Jenkins (Black Rock, VIC) – 4.80

Technical Race (Top 4)
Jonathan Hagan (Robina, QLD) – 15:17.46
Warwick Lee (Cheltenham, VIC) – 18:02.00
Dave Warner (Moe, VIC) – 18:41.00
Ke’ale Dorries (Elanora, QLD) – 19:25.00

Full results via LiveHeats.

The Australian SUP Titles are proudly supported by Jim Beam, Bass Coast Shire Council, Surfers for Climate, Starboard and Surfing Victoria.