Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Surfing Titles celebrates 25 years

The Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Surfing Titles has celebrated its 25th year at Urquhart Bluff on Wadawurrung Country this weekend.

From humble beginnings in Warrnambool on Gunditjmara country with 20 competitors, the event has grown to over 150 competitors and 200 community members attending on Saturday.

“This event has become one of the hallmark events on the Victorian Indigenous Sporting calendar” said Surfing Victoria’s Indigenous Aquatics Manager, Jordie Campbell.

“Community come down to Wadawurrung Country from all across the state and the event is now a real gathering of first nations community members.”

The event was opened on Saturday by Wadawurrung Elder Corrina Eccles and cleansed with a traditional smoking and mixing of the water’s ceremony.

Competition followed and participants were greeted with fun surf and sunshine. With the assistance of surf coaches and volunteers in the water, the junior competitive divisions were finalised, followed by Open Women and Master’s Women.

The Tag Team event rounded out the day with Geelong based Strong Brother, Strong Sister taking first place from CFMEU, Surfing Victoria, “The Oldies”, Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC) and South West.

The Open Women’s division was claimed by Elly Muir (Jan Juc) with Corrinna Eccles (Torquay) victorious in the Masters Women’s.

Conditions deteriorated on Sunday for the Open Mens and Masters Men. Rhys Collins from Red Hill was victorious in the Masters category, whilst the Open Mens division has been postponed and will be run at the next Victorian Open Series event at Phillip Island on the 25th February.

Men’s finalists include Jordie Campbell (Torquay), Anthony Hume (Torquay), Rhys Collins (Red Hill) and Rylee Duell (Phillip Island).

Elly will go on to represent the Victorian Indigenous community after gaining a wildcard into the 2023 Rip Curl Pro Trials at Bells Beach and will join the winner of the Open Mens division.

The Surfing Victoria Encouragement Award of a surfboard each, was Arlee Livesey (Ballarat), Derek Wilson (Melbourne) and Indie Peverill (Ballarat)

Champions:

U/8 Mixed: Lili Lovett (Geelong)
U/10 Girls: Willow Burns (Ballarat)
U/10 Boys: Cooper Bysouth
U/13 Girls: Shaleka Wellington
U/13 Boys: Daylan Rodaughan (Bellarine Peninsula)
U/16 Girls: Grace Tournier (Geelong)
U/16 Boys: Tyler Duell (Phillip Island)
U/18 Girls: Lauren McKay (Melbourne)
U/18 Boys: Jamie Box (Geelong)
Open Women: Elly Muir (Jan Juc)
Open Men: TBC
Masters Women: Corrina Eccles (Torquay)
Masters Men: Rhys Collins (Red Hill)

The Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Surf Titles is presented by VicHealth, Victorian Government and Play It Safe by the Water and Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria, Vitality Brands, Head Sox, Narrana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Strong Brother Strong Sister, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Yakeen Safety, CFMEU, Rip Curl, Feed Me Surf Coast and Cotton On.