Woorrangalook Koori Surfing Titles to return

INDIGENOUS Australian surfers will take to the waves at Urquhart Bluff next month as the Woorrangalook Koori Surfing Titles return.

To be held on February 8, the titles have been running for more than 25 years, inviting Indigenous Australians from across the state to participate at all levels.

Surf Victoria head of programs Indigenous aquatics manager Jordie Campbell said it is a great event showcasing all Indigenous surfers from across Victoria.

“Although it’s a surf comp and there’s a winner at the end for each division, it’s more about community coming together, celebrating surfing and our culture,” he said.

“It’s a creative platform for them to surf but then get the chance to understand how a surf comp works.”

It is expected that between 100 to 160 surfers will hit the beach throughout the competition, with around another 100 people heading down to watch the action.

Age categories will include competitors from the under six group right through to the over 45 masters men and women.

A change in the running of the 2025 event will see the open and junior categories run on the same day to allow the younger competitors to watch the more experienced surfers on the water.

The winner of the open men’s division will receive a wild card entry into the 2025 Rip Curl Pro Trials at Bells Beach.

Mr Campbell said the event is a culturally safe space for Aboriginal people to spend the weekend.

“For us, it’s about creating that safe space where people can gather, spend time together,” he said.

“A lot of the people that come to this event might not see each other at other times of the year, so it’s a really great time to reconnect.”

For more information, head to surfingvic.com