Surfing comp postponed due to dead whale

THE Woolworths Surfer Groms Comp planned for the weekend was postponed due to a whale carcass that washed up near Ocean Grove Main Beach.

Surfing Victoria and Surfing Australia made the unfortunate decision to postpone the event, which was scheduled to run as part of the national series and was expecting more than 80 junior competitors from across Victoria.

Emergency Management Victoria issued advice to avoid swimming and surfing in the area on Thursday due to the increased risk of sharks.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) officers then buried the whale carcass on the weekend.

DELWP regional agency commander Aimee Haywood said the preferred method for disposal of a whale of this size was to bury it above the high tide line at the base of the sand dune.

“The whale will naturally decompose and pose little risk of attracting sharks to the area.”

The Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club has since been in discussions with Bellarine MP Lisa Neville about concerns raised regarding the whale carcass burying and the possibility of ongoing shark attraction.

The relevant minister has been advised and discussions will occur with DELWP this week. Surfing Victoria chief executive Adam Robertson said he will work with Surfing Australia and other stakeholders over the coming weeks to find a new date for the event and will communicate the new date to competitors as soon as possible.

Surfing Victoria and Surfing Australia have a comprehensive shark mitigation policy that ensures the safety at all events in Victoria.

Regarded as one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps Series presented by Pic’s Peanut Butter caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia over summer.