The Surf Coast pair of Emily McGettigan (Torquay) and Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc) have claimed top honors at the opening round of the Victorian Open Series at Bells Beach / Djarrak.
In unruly 4-6ft surf, 40 of the best Victorian surfers battled the elements fin the race to be crowned Victorian Open Champion and gain a spot in the Rip Curl Pro Trials.
Utilising local knowledge, Emily McGettigan was solid throughout the day winning all of her heats on the way to the final.
“The conditions were really tricky and there was a lot of water moving so heaps of paddling and duck diving but once you found a wave it was really fun” said McGettigan.
“Im super stoked to surf bigger Bells with just the girls! We all had a laugh when we got a few sets on the head”
Finishing with a heat total of 12.17, McGettigan finished ahead of Ava Holland (Mornington Peninsula) on 8.13 points.
Holland finished the final with the highest single wave score of the final (a 7.5 out of a possible 10) however could not find a back up score to jump into first.
Finishing in third was Lillian Bassed (Sandy Point) on 6.96, with Angela Ball (Jan Juc) in fourth on 6.47.
On the Men’s side of the draw it was Xavier Huxtable who was in form all day scoring the event highest heat total, a 17.33 (out of a possible 20) in his Round 2 heat.
He continued this form into the final locking in a heat total of 15.10 to take the final over fellow Surf Coast surfer Todd Rosewall (Jan Juc) who finished on 13.47.
“It was an awesome day with amazing waves all day long” said Huxtable.
“I’m stoked to get great waves which can help showcase everyone’s surfing all day long”
Finishing in third was Lucas Hickson (Mornington Peninsula) on 11.27, with Cahill Bell-Warren finishing in fourth on 9.50.
The series will now move to Phillip Island in February.
Results:
Open Women
1st – Emily McGettigan, 12.17
2nd – Ava Holland, 8.13
3rd – Lillian Bassed, 6.96
4th – Angela Ball, 6.47
Open Men
1st – Xavier Huxtable, 15.10
2nd – Todd Rosewall, 13.47
3rd – Lucas Hickson, 11.27
4th – Cahill Bell-Warren, 9.50
Full results can be found online at www.surfingvic.com/live
Victorian Open Series
Round 1 – Bells Beach / Djarrak – October 7th, 2023
Round 2 – Phillip Island / Millowl – February 17th, 2024
Round 3 – Mornington Peninsula – March 16th, 2024
The Victorian Open Series is supported by Danny Green’s Coward Punch Campaign, Heaps Normal, Cancer Council Sunscreen and Surfing Victoria.
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