Conroy earns rookie season on WSL Longboard Tour

NEARLY a decade of dedication has paid off for Point Lonsdale surfer Bea Conroy, who has secured her place on the World Surf League World Longboard Tour for the first time.

The 22-year-old booked her spot among the sport’s elite with victory at the Egmont Honey Pro in Taranaki, New Zealand.

Conroy has spent the past four years competing on the World Longboard Tour Qualifying Series, building on years of experience in local and state-level events.

A multiple-time Victorian Open Women’s Longboard champion, the stylish natural footer has already sampled life on the world stage after earning a wildcard appearance at Bells Beach Longboard Classic in 2025.

Now she is preparing to return as a full-time member of the elite tour.

“I am over the moon,” Conroy said.

“The experience at Bells Beach last year as a wildcard was amazing. I felt so welcomed by the surfers on tour and decided I wanted to join them.”

After losing to rankings leader Luana Matthies in round 2, Conroy needed nothing less than victory in New Zealand to secure qualification.

Entering the event ranked seventh among the Australian qualifiers, her chances appeared slim, but a standout performance saw her achieve a long-held goal.

Conroy posted the highest scores of the women’s event in her semi-final win over Hannah Kohn, recording a 14.33-point heat total, including an excellent 7.83-point single-wave score.

“My chances were pretty low going in at number seven for the Australian qualifiers, so I took the pressure off and just took it heat by heat,” Conroy said.

“Being welcomed by the Taranaki community was lovely and I was just super happy to be there. I think the vibe on the beach helped me relax and surf to my potential.”

Conroy will now juggle the demands of the world tour with her university studies.

“I am so keen for the tour. A little bit of negotiation with my uni supervisors and I’ll make it work,” she said.

“I’m sure surrounding myself with such high calibre of surfers will lift my form. I’m really excited to explore the places the tour will take me.”