McGettigan and Huxtable brave elements to win at Bells

Emily McGettigan throwing her lip up into the big soupy walls of Bells Beach. Photos: SURFING PATROL/SURFING VICTORIA

SURF Coast pair Emily McGettigan and Xavier Huxtable claimed top honours at the opening round of the Victorian Open Series at Bells Beach/Djarrak over the weekend.

40 of the state’s best surfers battled wild and unruly four-to-six feet waves aiming to claim crucial state ranking points and a spot in the 2024 Rip Curl Pro Trials.

Torquay surfer Emily McGettigan was able to utilise her local knowledge, winning all her heats throughout the day on her way to taking out the Open Women’s title.

McGettigan was able to find the best waves during the final, top scoring with a 6.67 for a series of critical manoeuvres in the unruly conditions.

Event winners Emily McGettigan and Xavier Huxtable.

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,” McGettigan said.

“I’m 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 in second was Ava Holland (Mornington Peninsula), third went to Lillian Bassed (Sandy Point) and Angela Ball (Jan Juc) rounded out the final in fourth position.

On the men’s side of the draw, Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc) asserted his dominance from early on in proceedings, scoring the event’s highest heat total of a 17.33 (out of a possible 20) in the second round.

Xavier Huxtable on his way to a win in the Open Men’s division at Bells Beach.

He continued his strong form into the final, locking in two near excellent scores to edge out fellow Surf Coast local Todd Rosewall (Jan Juc) who was hot on his tail.

“It was an awesome day with amazing waves all day long,” Huxtable said.

“I’m stoked we got some great waves which helped everyone showcase their best surfing.”