Champions Crowned at the Australian Shortboard Titles Presented by SafeStyle

WOLLONGONG, NSW (August 31, 2025): The Australian Shortboard Titles presented by SafeStyle concluded today at Sandon Point, NSW, with outstanding conditions and the final champions crowned.

The level of surfing on display throughout the weekend was nothing short of high performance, packed with progressive aerial maneuvers, explosive turns, and powerful carves across all divisions. This event continues to set the benchmark for high-performance shortboard surfing in Australia.

Surfing Australia Contest Director Glen Elliott says this has been one of the most memorable finals days in quite some time:

“Sandon Point turned on the magic for Finals Day. After anticipating a rise in swell yesterday, competitors and spectators were rewarded this morning with perfect conditions – blue skies, a pulsing groundswell, and 4–5 foot, long, winding walls with hollow sections that provided a spectacular canvas for high-performance surfing. These were some of the best finals day conditions in recent memory, ensuring that being crowned an Australian Shortboard Champion today will be a truly coveted and unforgettable achievement.

The Championships have enjoyed an incredible five days in Wollongong. The Masters divisions opened the week in style at McCauley’s Beach, with consistent waves setting the stage for three days of action before eight new Australian Champions were crowned on Friday.

Adding to the excitement, this year marked a historic first with the introduction of the Over-30s division. The debut proved an instant success, with former professionals Dean Bowen (NSW) and Serena Brooke (QLD) showcasing their experience and skill to dominate the new category, adding yet another highlight to an already outstanding week of competition.”

FINAL CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Across the weekend, the last champions were crowned in he  Thermos Over 30s and Open Divisions.

In the Men’s Open Division, Jed Ashton (Bulli, NSW), used his local experience at Sandon Point for an excellent display of surfing. Posting an 8.67 and 6.50 pt ride, bettering Eden Hasson (NSW) by 4.74 pts.

“It feels pretty good — to do it at home in front of everyone is really special. The conditions were a bit tricky, but today turned on and there were a lot of fun waves at Sandon Point. I want to thank the whole Sandon Point Boardriders crew for always supporting me.”

ISA Silver Medalist and Australian U18 Surfing Champion Keira Buckpitt (Culburra Beach, NSW) narrowly edged out Lucy Darragh (NSW) by 1.16 points in one of the closest heats of the day to claim the Open Women’s Championship.

“First Australian Championship under the belt — I’m really stoked! There was so much talent in the mix. Lucy Darragh just came off a win at a Qualifying Series event in Nias, so I knew it was always going to be fierce. That’s why it feels so good to come away with the win.”

​​​​​​​In the Thermos Men’s Over 30s, Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW) put on a dominate display, posting a 8.17 and 6.83 ride for a 15 pts heat total, to overcome Dane Bird (QLD) by a comfortable 4.33 pts.

“I won the Under 18s about 15 years ago, so it feels great to get another win and another Aussie Title. I live just around the corner, so it was awesome having a comp at home and being able to sleep in my own bed. The waves really turned on for the final! After three heats today I was pretty cooked, but I was lucky to lock in an 8 early — I didn’t have much left in the tank. I’m really appreciative of the wildcard, had such a fun event, and I’m so stoked with the win!”

ISA World Masters Silver Medalist, Serena Brooke (Noosa Heads, QLD), overcome Brittani Nicholl (NSW), by 2.03 pts to claim the championship in the Thermos Women’s Over 30s.

“I haven’t done an Australian Championship in 30 years — it’s been a long time. I decided to do the comp again for a chance to represent Australia, and while I had a shocker in the Over 40s, I’m really glad I came through with the win in the Over 30s. I had to take it up a notch, but I got it done. It was great having so many friends here supporting me.”

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SURFING TEAM DECIDED

Professional surfboard shaper Paul Parkes (Merewether, NSW) has claimed another Australian Championship, winning the SafeStyle O50 Men’s division and qualifying for the Australian National Surfing Team, ‘The Irukandjis’.

“It was my first time competing at the Aussie Titles being the youngest in my division, I’m usually one of the oldest. These days I take a much more relaxed approach; it’s more about getting away for the weekend, surfing somewhere new, and catching up with old friends from my junior days. The comp is a bonus, and it’s always a lot of fun.

We scored great waves in Wollongong, both during the event and outside of heats, which made it even better. I’m so stoked to get the win and qualify for the Australian National Surfing Team. I wasn’t chasing it, but now I’m really excited to head to El Salvador next year — that’s the next big thing to look forward to!

It’s going to be insanely hot over there, so I’ll probably be training on the exercise bike in the sauna trying to acclimatise to the heat.”

2024 champion Rod Baldwin (Copacabana, NSW) was a wildcard entry to this year’s event, but he certainly didn’t waste the opportunity, taking the win again in the Men’s Over 60s Division. This victory qualifies him for the Australian National Surfing Team, The Irukandjis, and he’s looking forward to representing his country again.

“I’m just so stoked to get the win. Conditions were a little tricky in my heat, but I managed to jag a 6.17 and a 6.57, which was enough to get the job done. I represented Australia at the ISA World Surfing Championships last year, and I’m so honoured to have that chance again now with this victory. It’s been a great couple of days here in Wollongong.”

In the Women’s Over 60s Division, Susan Levett (Manly, NSW) put on a dominant performance, scoring 6.67 and 8.33 for a 15.00 point heat total to claim the championship. This win qualifies her to join ‘The Irukandjis’ and compete at the 2026 ISA World Surfing Championships, and it also marks her third Australian Surfing Championship!

“I was lucky enough to catch some really good waves and grab the win. This is my third Aussie title — I can’t believe it! My first was ages ago, but to go back-to-back in 2024 and 2025 is really special. I just love it — I feel like a grom again. I love surfing, I love travelling, and I never want to stop competing. I also want to thank my family for their support, especially my kids. They probably want to go surfing themselves, but they always have to put up with their mum — and I’m so grateful for that.”

With the Open and Thermos Over 30 divisions hitting the water this weekend, there’s plenty more action ahead, as the Australian Shortboard Titles presented by SafeStyle continue to set the benchmark for high-performance shortboard surfing in Australia.


2025 Australian Shortboard Titles presented by SafeStyle Winners:

Open Men – Jed Ashton (Bulli, NSW)

Open Women – Keira Buckpitt (Culburra Beach, NSW)

Thermos O30 Men- Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW)

Thermos O30 Women – Serena Brooke (Noosa Heads, QLD)

SafeStyle O40 Men – Christo Hall (Narrabeen, NSW)

SafeStyle O40 Women – Ellen Northy (Narrabeen, NSW)

SafeStyle O50 Men – Paul Parkes (Merewether, NSW) 

SafeStyle O50 Women – Belinda Koorey (Manly Vale, NSW)

O55 Men – Christian Lock (Port Noarlunga, SA)

O60 Men – Rod Baldwin (Copacabana, NSW)

O60 Women – Susan Levett (Manly, NSW)

O65 Men – Mark Gobbe (Mona Vale, NSW)

2025 Overall State Champion: New South Whales


About the 2025 Australian Surf Championships:
The shortboard divisions of the 2025 Australian Surf Championships are held as a stand-alone event on Dharawal Country, along the stunning South Coast Line in New South Wales.

Winners in the Men & Women Over 40’s, Over 50’s and Over 60’s will earn a spot in the Australian surfing team, the Irukandjis, for next year’s International Surfing Association (ISA) World Master Surfing Championships in 2026. 

For more information, please visit https://australiansurfchampionships.com/shortboard/.

Entry to the Australian Shortboard Titles presented by SafeStyle is by state qualification or invitation as a wildcard.

The 2025 Australian Shortboard Titles presented by SafeStyle are supported Jim Beam, Thermos, Everything Fleet, Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, Surfers For Climate, and Destination Wollongong.