Australian SUP Titles heading to Phillip Island

PHILLIP ISLAND, VIC (May 10, 2024): Surfing Australia is excited to announce that the Australian Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Titles are heading to Phillip Island in a new two-year partnership with Bass Coast Shire Council and Surfing Victoria.

The competition is set to take place from October 22 – 26, 2024 with dates for the following year to be finalised soon.

We anticipate hundreds of competitors from across the nation will compete in the disciplines of SUP Surfing, SUP and Prone Technical Racing (between 4-8km of several laps in and out through the surf) and SUP and Prone Marathon Racing (15-20km).

Surfing Australia CEO, ChrisMater, said: “We’re looking forward to seeing the return of the Australian SUP Titles to Victoria and the incredible destination of Phillip Island. It’s great to bring another national event to this location that has proven successful with last year’s Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles, and very soon some of the world’s top SUP racing talents will converge on the region.”

Surfing Victoria CEO, AdamRobertson, said: “We are excited to again be hosting the Australian SUP Titles on Phillip Island. The region offers a range of amazing locations for SUP surfing and racing from Cape Woolamai to Western Port Bay. In 2022, we saw some great waves at Cape Woolamai and over the years there has been fantastic downwind conditions for the marathon. It’s fantastic to secure its return in this multi-year deal in this amazing part of the world.”

Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Clare Le Serve, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Bass Coast Shire Council and Surfing Australia have partnered for the next two years to host the Australian SUP Titles here on Phillip Island.

“This, along with other major national surfing events we host in Bass Coast reinforces how incredible our region is as a premier surfing destination.

“It’s no secret that Phillip Island is home to some of the best beaches and surf breaks in Australia. And what makes the Island so special is everything else, from our unique wildlife – the little penguins and whales that visit, the incredible local wine and produce, to a plethora of breathtaking coastal walking trails.

“We look forward to hosting the competitors and their support crews and families to the region for another world-class event here in Bass Coast.”

Entries for the Sprint and Marathon races will open on June 10 via the website australiansuptitles.com and anyone can enter, while all SUP Surfing divisions must qualify through their state titles. Currently, all states are running state titles to confirm their teams to progress through to the Australian SUP Titles later in the year. This will then provide a pathway to the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championships in 2025.

Recent Australian SUP Title champions from Victoria include Emma Webb (Jan Juc, VIC), Lucy Bell (Sandringham, VIC) and Warwick Lee (Cheltenham, VIC), along with 2023 ISA SUP World Championship silver medallist WesFry (Byron Bay, NSW).

Fry said: “Phillip Island has become one of my favourite destinations for a surf trip. It has so much variety both in and out of the water. It’s a stunning coastline with a great selection of waves, food, pubs and activities. I’m excited to return and compete after achieving some decent results at the 2023 Aussie titles and ISA. I can’t wait to hit the waves again!”

Webb, who took out the O40 Women’s LB SUP and 10ft Open Women’s divisions last year, said: “It’s fantastic having the Aussie titles back in Victoria and Phillip Island is a great location for all things SUP. We have a great SUP community who really get behind these events to make them a huge a success.”

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