Conroy and Cousins take out Round 2 of Victorian Longboard Titles

IN CRISP conditions over the weekend, Bea Conroy (Point Lonsdale) and Will Cousins (Torquay) reigned supreme in the premier Open Women and Open Men’s divisions at Thirteenth Beach for Round 2 of the Victorian Longboard Titles.

Competitors were greeted with clean waves in the 2–3-foot range over both days of competition, with offshore winds giving surfers a beautiful canvas to put their best surfing on show.

Eighteen-year-old Open Women’s champion Bea Conroy was a standout performer across both days of the event, with the natural footer posting a near perfect combined heat total of 18.77 (out of 20 points) in her Open Women’s Logger Final to put the final out of doubt for her fellow counterparts.

Fresh off competing in two of the world’s most prestigious longboarding events in Mexico and New Zealand in the past month, Conroy looked right at home back at Thirteenth Beach, showing off her credentials as one of the sport’s upcoming stars.

“The waves were fun out there today and I’m elated to get a win against some really amazing ladies,” Conroy said.

“It’s great to be home having had the experience to surf in some big events in the last month.

“It’s certainly helped me to improve my surfing by being close to the world’s best and I can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

In a fine display of power surfing, Torquay surfer Will Cousins was able to take out the Open Men’s longboard division, making the most of the near perfect conditions on offer.

Cousins scored a combined heat total of 14.53 (out of a possible 20) to get the nod over Mornington Peninsula surfers Tasman and Sam Dunton, and up-and-coming dynamo Bailey German.

The former state champion in Cousins displayed some impressive manoeuvres for two strong scores, leaving his fellow finalists chasing solid numbers to take the lead off him.

“It was a great day down at Thirteenth and it was excellent to get some good waves during the event,” Cousins said.

Further results can be found at www.liveheats.com/surfingvictoria