The 2022 Australian Surfing Championships wrapped up over the weekend of August 20-21 with results showing NSW athletes have taken home for more than half of the titles following the culmination of the Australian Surf Championships at Port Macquarie – a stunning representation of the talent and depth across the state.
Visit early report of: 2022 Australian Surfing Championships (Issue 550: results so far of shortboard, Longboard and Logger comps. + full NSW Team named).
The team of 142 athletes represented NSW in shortboard, longboard, bodyboard and para surfing and in total won 27 from 48 Australian Titles over the 17-day event.
Team Manager, Michael Crisp (Lennox Head) said the event was a huge success for NSW and was proud of the individual and team efforts.
“To win this many titles across all areas and divisions is incredible,” said Crisp.
“We had such a strong team this year and it’s been so inspiring and great to be part of. The Australian Surf Championships haven’t been held since 2019 but I think that the absence has made the team stronger and more grateful for the opportunity to represent their state.
“There were some truly amazing performances and sportsmanship and I feel honoured to have been part of the team and their success in 2022.”
The event was held between the beautiful beaches of Bonny Hills, North Haven and Town Beach, with athletes all commenting on how wave-rich the region is.
“I love this area and I think we’ve been blessed to be able to compete in the Australian Championships here this year,” said Over 40’s Shortboard Champion, Paul Snow.
“It’s one of the best areas for surfing competition on our coastline with so many high-performance waves combined with breaks for any ability, with accommodation for any kind of trip.”
“Port Macquarie is the mecca for bodyboarding and the waves are world-class. They are perfect for the Australian Titles,” Bodyboard Head Judge, Craig Hadden added.
Port Macquarie Deputy Mayor, Adam Roberts attended the presentation of the Masters Longboard Titles on Friday. He said the Australian Surf Championships provided a huge boost for the local economy and he was proud that the area could provide for the athletes, their families and event crew, as well as showcase the world-class beaches and surf breaks.
“It’s such a fantastic festival of surfing and it’s so good to see Port Macquarie back on the surfing map. We’ve got a slice of paradise and a great community,” said Roberts.
“It’s great to see everyone here enjoying our world-class waves and we welcome surfing events in any capacity. The locals love the surfing customs and community and we love having everyone in town.
“All the event locations were going off over the two week period with solid waves and everyone was pumped to have options to pick the very best location as conditions changed.”
Roberts also said it was fantastic to see NSW have great results, including a number of local surfers.
“It was a real pleasure to get down to the presentation and see the Blues take out so many titles on home turf too,” he said.
For the state’s south coast, two new champions have returned home hoping to inspire the region. Matt Hoar (Dalmeny) and Freya Prumm (Merimbula) both echoed each other about the impact the wins will have on their towns and the surf community to inspire people in the sport.
“This means so much because it shows the kids back home and the people from the south coast that it’s possible to be a good surfer and be competitive at any level,” said Hoar, who owns the Dalmeny Surf Academy.
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said he couldn’t be more stoked to see NSW have such success.
“We pride ourselves on having a stellar and talented lineup of surfers and bodyboarders and our results at this event have proven that,” said Madden.
“Not only do we have some of the best top-level elites, the Masters competitors from the Over 35’s right through to the Over 70’s are also at the top of their game in their divisions, as are the para surfers who are leading the way in adaptive surfing and gaining incredible momentum.”
NSW Australian Surf Championships Results
Para Surfing (6/9)
Kneel – Jade ‘Reddog’ Wheatley (Newcastle)
VI1 and 2 – Jack Jackson (Umina)
S1 – John Wheele – (Tura Beach)
S2 – Dale Taylor (Cabarita)
Prone 1 Women – Sam Bloom (Newport)
Prone 2 Mixed – Lee Ferrier (Sydney)
Bodyboard (6/8)
Over 45 Men – Shane Chalker (NSW)
Over 35 Men – Nathian Davis (NSW)
Open Men – John Cruickshank (NSW)
Under 18 Junior Men – Jordan Waights (NSW)
Under 14 Grommet Open – Sunny Williams (NSW)
Drop Knee – Jimmy Leayr (NSW)
Longboard (7/14)
Open Men – Declan Wyton (Manly) – pictured above by Gary McEvoy
Open Women – Melanie Straunton (Burrill Lake)
Under 18 Women – Chelsea Tingle (Saratoga)
Over 40 Men – Shane Baker (Murrays Beach)
Over 45 Men – Jason Livingstone (North Curl Curl)
Over 50 Men – Jason Livingstone (North Curl Curl)
Over 60 Men – Mike Pimm (Casuarina)
Logger (1/6)
Under 18 Women – Jasmine Howarth (Avalon) – pictured below by Gary McEvoy
Shortboard (7/11)
Open Women – Freya Prumm (Merimbula)
Over 35 Men – Matt Hoar (Dalmeny)
Over 40 Men – Christo Hall (Narrabeen)
Over 45 Men – Paul Snow (Newcastle)
Over 50 Women – Sandra English (Central Coast)
Over 55 Men – Rod Baldwin (Copacabana)
Over 60 Men – Rod Baldwin (Copacabana)
Report by Suring NSW, Tuesday August 23, 2022
2022 Australian Surf Championships Longboard And Logger Titles
On August 19th 2022 the Australian Surf Championships Longboard and Logger Titles were completed after nine days of competition between Bonny Hills and North Haven beaches in Port Macquarie.
The Australian Logger Titles was first held in 2013 and the Australian Longboard Titles was first held in 1986. Each are an important and iconic part of surfing from the youngest competitors in the Under 19’s division through to the Over 70 Grand Kahunas.
The Open Longboard and Logger divisions were completed last Friday (see previous release) ahead of the Under 18 and Over 40 divisions on the weekend. It was a history-making weekend for Sunshine Coast surfer Landen Smales.
At just 12-years-old he was the youngest ever winner of the Logger Australian Titles in 2019 and this year not only did he defend his crown, he also took out the Longboard division and, to top it off, was awarded a perfect heat score in the opening round of the Loggers.
A perfect heat total is rare in any surf division where two 10-point ride scores make up a perfect two-wave total. Contest Director Glen Elliot explained how it unfolded.
“A perfect heat score is extremely rare and the judges jealously guard a 10-point-ride as it is considered technically perfect," he said.
"In the case of Landen Smales, his two waves could not be denied. A series of perfectly executed hang-ten nose-rides which were held in the critical sections of the wave with excellent positioning, grace and style. All are key criteria points for the Logger division."
Landen was beyond stoked, not only for making history but because his brother Kaden told him he’d give him $10 for a 10-pointer. He earned himself $20 as well as two Australian Titles.
“The conditions were so good,” he said.
“A set wave came for the first wave and I got two long hang-ten’s after lining up the sections. I was pretty stoked to hear the score and then just thought, ‘I can do that again,’ and I did.
“I’m really happy to have got the double title and am grateful for the opportunity to surf against a great field of surfers from across the country.”
While Queensland dominated most of the weekend in the Open Men and Over 40’s, on the junior women’s side of the draw equal skill and style was emerging from NSW surfers and, like the men, most were qualified for both the Longboard and Logger divisions.
Jasmin Howarth (NSW), who also made the Longboard Semi Finals, was ecstatic to take out the Logger Title.
“I’ve been surfing since I could walk and I’ve always dreamed of winning an Australian Title but I never thought it would actually happen with so many talented surfers upcoming. So this is an amazing feeling to win,” she said.
“I love the grace and traditional style of the Log boards and I’m so glad they’re still appreciated and surfed by people of all ages.”
The masters of the sport took to the water from Monday and persevered through the week, many commenting on the camaraderie and community the event creates and supports. For the masters, the Championship event keeps their competitive spirit alive, gives them goals to work towards with their surfing and keeps them active year-round.
Friday was a glorious day for WA and Samantha Vanderford (WA) who travelled across the country to compete in the event and was a finalist in both the Over 40’s and 50’s as well as competing in the Over 50’s Shortboard division.
With an infectious energy on and off the beach Vanderford also had the second highest heat total (14.75) for the women across all masters divisions behind Over 60's winner Peppie Simpson (QLD) who scored two near-perfect waves to combo her competitors in the finals to finish with an epic 17 two-wave total.
Vanderford applauded not only the surf community but also Surfing Australia for the inclusion of the older women’s division.
“2019 it was the first year that Over 50 and 60 for women was run,” she said.
“I now get to compete against women my own age, for older women in competitive surfing this is amazing. This is huge for us and we’re so stoked for this opportunity and to have such success this week.”
Jason Livingstone (NSW) 54, has been on the beach since he was four-years-old, that’s over half a decade in the water. He’s been competitively surfing for 15 years and is now back-to-back dual Australian Champion after winning both the Longboard and Logger in the Over 45 and 50’s in 2019 and 2022.
“I’m stoked,” he said after his second win of the day. “I only just made it through my semi. Today was a killer with a big rip, it was challenging getting out and you’re always checking over your shoulder with the level of other surfers out there at this event. It’s important to just get the right wave.”
“I just love surfing and being in this area, there are so many amazing waves,” said Livingstone.
Jason Livingstone
Mike Pimm
The Over 70 Men’s final was inspirational for all. The Grand Kahuna’s Danny Bond (NSW), John Nolan (QLD), Earle Page (NSW) and John Amos (SA) not only had strong competition to contend with but are the epitome of the longevity of the sport. After a tough 20 minute final it was John Amos (SA) who is 73-years-young who claimed the glory for South Australia.
"I'm stoked to win in trying conditions and against wonderful highly-skilled competitors.
Thank you Surfing Australia for all the hard work organising the event, the event embodies the spirit of surfing."
2022 Longboard Results:
Under 18 Women - Chelsea Tingle (NSW)
Under 18 Men - Landen Smales (QLD)
Over 40 Men - Shane Baker (NSW)
Over 40 Women - Samantha Vanderford (WA)
Over 45 Men - Jason Livingstone (NSW)
Over 50 Men - Jason Livingstone (NSW)
Over 50 Women - Samantha Vanderford (WA)
Over 55 Men - Greg Brown (VIC)
Over 60 Men - Mike Pimm (NSW)
Over 60 Women - Peppie Simpson (QLD)
Over 65 Men - Mike Pimm (NSW)
Over 70 Men - John Amos (SA)
Over 50 Women
2022 Logger Results:
Under 18 Women - Jasmine Howarth (NSW)
Under 18 Men - Landen Smales (QLD)
Over 40 Women - Kate Dwyer (QLD)
Under 40 Men - Wally Allan (QLD)
What's the difference between the Logger and Longboard Titles?
The Logger divisions are a homage to traditional surfing from the '60s and '70s where more traditional manoeuvres performed with a continual motion, style and grace with emphasis on creativity are scored highly. Boards used in the Logger divisions have specific requirements including a single fin and traditional board measurements around shape and design.
Longboard divisions have a greater judging emphasis on performance, expression and progression. Surfers are scored on their ability to be dynamic with manoeuvre in the most critical parts of the wave while combining speed, power and flow. The boards in the Longboard divisions are a multi-fin setup.
Surfing Australia worked in conjunction with Surfing NSW to bring the 2022 Australian Surfing Championships to wave-rich Port Macquarie to crown the newest Australian Longboard and Logger Champions.
The 2022 Australian Surf Championships Were Held At Port Macquarie, NSW August 5 – 22, 2022
- August 5 – Opening Ceremony for the Australian Shortboard Titles
- August 6 – 10 – Period for the Australian Shortboard Titles (Further division scheduling to follow)
- August 10 – Opening Ceremony for the Australian Longboard Titles
- August 11 – 19 – Period for the Australian Longboard Titles (Further division scheduling to follow)
- August 20 – Australian Para Surfing Titles (All divisions on standby)
- August 21 – 22 – Period for the Reflections Holiday Parks Australian Bodyboard Titles
ALL EVENT INFO HERE: https://australiansurfchampionships.com/
The Australian Surf Championships is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The event is also proudly supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, the Australian Institute of Sport, Ingenia Holiday Park, mySURF.tv, Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW.
Report and photos by Surfing Australia
2022 Australian Para Surf Championships
On August 20th 2022 the Australian Para Surf Championships was held at Bonny Hills beach with 27 competitors from NSW, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland across five divisions.
The event was first held in 2016 and has grown in momentum over the period. A number of Australian and International Champions contested this year’s national titles, one of the strongest draws yet, including the athletes who had success in the recent Hawaiian Adaptive Championships including Matt Formstrom (NSW), Sam Bloom (NSW), Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (NSW) and Jocelyn Neumueller (SA).
Neumueller contested her first Australian Championships but she’s no stranger to para-sporting excellence - she’s been a Para-Olympian and is a World Champion Para-Canoe athlete.
Jocelyn only has the function of one limb so she competes in the prone assist division.
“I love surfing because the ocean doesn’t discriminate. Once you’re on a wave you have the same capacity to ride the wave as anyone else. Your functionality on land is irrelevant, the water is the most amazing leveller, it brings equality," she said.
"Once you’re on a wave, it’s an equal playing field and that’s what makes it so special.
With another southerly swell pulse coming through she’s looking forward to the competition.
“It looks like it will be a decent swell, which I love,” she said.
Why is it so important for the Para Surfing Titles to lineup alongside the Shortboard, Longboard, Logger and Bodyboard Titles? Jocelyn says it’s simple, you can be what you can see.
"The more people know about the sport and the access to it, the more people get involved. It’s really important to have visibility alongside able-body titles to show what’s possible, that surfing can offer something for everyone. It provides so much purpose, fitness and a supportive community.”
Jocelyn Neumueller
On August 20th 2022 the swell continued its challenging run, serving up four-foot sets that pushed the para athletes to new heights and highlighted their clear ability to surf and dominate in the lineup.
Sam Bloom (NSW), 51, had a convincing win over Victoria Pendergast (NSW) in the two-round finals. She won the first heat but in the second trailed until the last five minutes when she wowed the judges and was awarded perfect 10’s across the board.
As a spinal cord injury paraplegic, Bloom has no use of her legs and uses her arms to pivot and turn on the waves.
“It was challenging out there today, it just didn’t stop. It was insane but amazing,” said Bloom after her win.
“I was so lucky to get this wave at the last minute. It was a good wave with a solid wall so I could get a couple of big turns. I dug my arm in and made the most of it.”
Now a two-time Australian Champion, Bloom was ecstatic.
“I’m so stoked! It’s amazing to be able to surf as part of the Australian Surf Championships,” she said.
“For all the para surfers, we’ve overcome so many challenges and it means a lot to have this opportunity to compete and there are so many more people this year, it’s really gaining momentum. It’s going to get harder to win.”
Bloom has also played a part in helping the sport grow.
“I had a message from young spinal cord injury surfer, Max Devery, a few months ago about competing - he’s just 16 and he came all the way from WA with his dad and his friend,” she said.
“He was so good out there and finished with a third place. I was so stoked for him and to see him experience how great it is to compete. That’s the best thing about it, for all of us, life hasn’t turned out the way we thought it would, and we face a lot of challenges, but events like this make it all worthwhile.”
Sam Bloom in action
Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart’s reign in the Kneel division came to an end as Newcastle’s Reddog Wheatley came to the fore with a number of great waves and opportunities. Wheatley was able to put his full surfing skillset on show for the judges - not only did he get vertical on his turns, creating powerful snaps, but a couple of waves gave him small cover ups as he pulled in to try to get as much as he could out of them.
"It's been a good day, winning feels good," said Reddog.
"I'm on top of the world, my first Australian Title. I wish my mate mono was one-hundred-percent though, we've been mates for a long time, we're the originals that went to the first World Championships in 2015, and I said to him, when you don't compete I win. He's a tough competitor and amazing surfer," he said.
"The conditions were great for us and the waves felt good. It was nice to get good. The big waves suit me a lot more, in smaller waves I struggle to make-do but solid conditions like today allow you to show your skill," Wheatley said.
Reddog Wheatley
Meanwhile, today was also South Australian, Jocelyn Neumueller’s first Australian Championships in surfing. The Paralympic Canoe athlete, who only has the use of one limb, dominated the Prone 2 division. In the second heat she scored an impressive and near-perfect 9.65 with a backup score of seven to lock in her first Australian Para Surf Title.
“I love surfing because the ocean doesn’t discriminate. Once you’re on a wave you have the same capacity to ride the wave as anyone else. Your functionality on land is irrelevant, the water is the most amazing leveller, it brings equality," she said.
Lee Ferrier (NSW) continued the impressive surfing in the Mixed Prone 2 division to wrap up the day. Ferrier opened the heat with a huge 9.25 using the face of the wave to generate speed and manoeuvres with precision.
Lee Ferrier
2022 Para Surfing Results:
Kneel - Jade ‘Reddog’ Wheatley (NSW)
VI1 and 2 - Jack Jackson (NSW)
S1 - John Wheele (NSW)
S2 - Dale Taylor (NSW)
S3 - Chris Blowes (SA)
Prone 1 Men - Gavin Bellis (QLD)
Prone 1 Women - Sam Bloom (NSW)
Prone 2 Women - Jocelyn Neumueller (SA)
Prone 2 Mixed - Lee Ferrier (NSW)
Read more about adaptive surfing classifications and definitions here
Photos by Russell Pittaway Report by Surfing Australia
2022 Australian Bodyboard Championships
On August 22nd, 2022 the Australian Surf Championships crowned its last eight title winners today at Lighthouse Beach after an epic two days of elite bodyboard competition.
Port Macquarie has provided a stage for big performances over the last 17 days.
In the Open Women’s division it was the east versus the west and the stakes were high, but it was Ebony Schell (WA) who took the glory, winning the two-heat final with speed and style. Schell, the three-time consecutive State Champion couldn't be happier to have success in Port Macquarie. Today, she won her first Australian Title.
“It feels amazing to win my first Australian Title,” she said.
“Conditions were amazing for us. Yesterday the epic right hand waves and today at Lighthouse beach there have been some really fun left hand options. Waves for everyone.
“The standard was so high out there. Kaylah Pisani (NSW) got an amazing barrel yesterday that scored a nine so that set the bar really high. But all the girls really charged out there.
“Coming over to the east coast to compete in the Australian Championships has been a really positive experience. I love meeting more of the bodyboard community. It’s been such a well organised event and to compete here in Port Macquarie, the bodyboarding mecca, it’s been such a cool place to surf.”
In the Open Men’s there were excellent scores handed out all-round as the athletes went wave-for-wave, pushing the limits. It could have been anyone’s win as Drop Knee winner Jimmy Leayr (NSW), Jake Metcalfe (WA) and John Cruickshank (NSW) impressed the judges. A near-perfect nine for Metcalfe almost had him over the line, before Cruickshank swooped in to back up an already strong set of scores with an eight to solidify his Open Men’s Australian Title.
Cruickshank (43) who won the Open Men’s Title in 1999 was thrilled to be awarded a second Australian Championships crown, “I’m absolutely stoked to win with all my family and friends here to watch.”
In the Dropknee it was an all NSW showdown. Jimmy Leayr (NSW) and Ryan Duck (NSW) played the game and Duck, a two-time State Champion, was eager to convert his success to the national level, but it was his hometown rival in Leayr (NSW Open Men’s Champion) who nudged the scoreline to take the win by just 1.3.
In the Masters, Shane Chalker (NSW) went back-to-back competing in the finals for both the Over 35’s and Over 45’s. Chalker hasn’t competed since he was 19, but this year got back in the water, competing at club rounds before winning the NSW Titles and, today, winning his first Australian Title in the Over 45’s division.
He showed age is no limitation, putting on a show with the precision of an Open’s athlete and set the bar high for his fellow finalists.
“I’m just so stoked to win, it means so much to me to know I still have the ability to get out there and be a tough competitor against the best bodyboarders in Australia,” said Chalker.
“It’s an amazing feeling to win here today in Port Macquarie. I love this sport and the community and being back here is like being amongst family,” said the Forster local.
The youngest and very promising juniors put on an impressive display of skill and sportsmanship today too. Sunny Williams (NSW) is just 13 but surfed well beyond his years.
In the Under 14 Grommet Final the Newcastle athlete stayed busy to keep his competitors at bay. He caught the maximum 10 waves in the 20 minute final and impressed the judges to collect a two-wave heat total of 12.9.
Today’s event concludes the Australian Surf Championships. Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater praised the Port Macquarie community for its hospitality and support.
“We’re so grateful to the Port Macquarie people for welcoming us to Biripi Country,” said Mater.
“We’ve been blessed to have amazing conditions for the event and to have so many options for our athletes to compete in. Everyone has been so accommodating and it really has proved to be the ideal place for a championship event.”
Port Macquarie Deputy Mayor, Adam Roberts (pictured below with Chris Mater) said the event was great for the Port Macquarie people.
“It’s such a fantastic festival of surfing and it’s so good to see Port Macquarie back on the surfing map. We’ve got a slice of paradise and a great community,” said Roberts.
“It was great to see everyone here enjoying our world-class waves and we welcome surfing events here in any capacity. The locals love the surfing custom and community and we love having everyone in town.
“All the event locations were going off over the two-week period with solid waves and everyone was pumped to have options to pick the very best location as conditions changed,” he said.
2022 Australian Bodyboard Championships Results
Over 45 Men - Shane Chalker (NSW)
Over 35 Men - Nathian Davis (NSW)
Open Men - John Cruickshank (NSW)
Open Women - Ebony Schell (WA)
Under 18 Junior Men - Jordan Waights (NSW)
Under 16 Cadet Open - Jai Taylor (QLD)
Under 14 Grommet Open - Sunny Williams (NSW)
Drop Knee - Jimmy Leayr (NSW)
Chris Mater and Adam Roberts at the Australian Surf Championships presentation. Photo: Surfing Australia
Report by Surfing Australia