Bells Bonanza: Pumping waves hit for Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles

ALL-TIME Bells Beach/Djarrak surf conditions capped off the 10th anniversary of the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles, an event that will go down in the history books for the quality of waves and level of surfing.

The three-day event wrapped up on Sunday in bombing six- to eight-foot waves, with surfers across eight divisions bringing out their gun sized surfboards to take on the amazing conditions.

Six nine-point rides and one 10-point ride were given out on finals day, with competitors putting it all on the line to secure a prestigious divisional crown.

After taking out the Open Men’s Longboard and Junior Boys Shortboard divisions earlier in the day, Landen Smales (Noosa, QLD) chased a threepeat of event wins in the Open Men’s Shortboard category.

Smales, however, ended up in a battle with local surfer Jordie Campbell (Torquay), who bagged a huge 8.50-point ride for a collection of whopping backhand snaps.

With plenty of time left on the clock, Smales was able to fire back with some class of his own and was awarded a 7.00 ride for some strong surfing on a bigger set wave.

Needing only 6.60 to chase Campbell down and hit the lead, Smales asserted his dominance by dropping a 6.80-point ride in the last stages of the heat, and a slender lead when the buzzer eventually sounded.

Finn Hill (Avoca Beach, NSW) and Rohnin Micale (Bellambi, NSW) were awarded third and fourth respectively.

Smales said he was thrilled to take home the Open Men’s title, ending the two-year streak of Avoca Beach surfer Finn Hill.

“It’s been a big couple of days with Bells putting on a show for everyone.

“I’m very proud to be Indigenous and be able to come down to this comp and surf with everyone.”

In the fiercely competitive Open Women’s Shortboard division, Summer Simon (Rainbow Bay, NSW) was able to put on a clinic of her own and attack the large Bells Beach walls with ease to secure a fifth Open Women’s Shortboard title.

Simon started off her campaign with a strong 7.50-point ride and her confidence only grew throughout the heat as she continued her fine form.

While Kauri Heuston-Connor (Reedy Creek, QLD), clawed her way back with a 7.03 score, Simon was able to shut the door on Heuston-Connor and her fellow competitors with a searing 8.33 ride towards the end of the heat.

“It felt so surreal, Bells is one of my favourite places to surf so to take out the Indigenous Title this year is really special to me,” Simon said.

“I was super stoked to get Bells pumping and catch heaps of good waves.

“We were cheering each other on out there and all the girls were shredding which makes it that bit harder to win.”

Finishing in second was Kauri Heuston-Connor (Reedy Creek, QLD), third went to Ocea Curtis (Lennox Head, NSW) and fourth place was awarded to Leihani Zoric (Broken Head, NSW).

Other division winners from the weekend included Jasmine McCorquodale (Bateau Bay, NSW, Women Longboard), Ocea Curtis (Lennox Heads, NSW, Junior Girls), Lee Winkler (Coffs Harbour, NSW, Masters Men) and Glenn Curtis (Lennox Heads, NSW, Over 50 Men).

For scores, video and photos from the event, head to australianindigenoussurfingtitles.comThe event marked the tenth anniversary of the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles.