Winter Classic delivers $7,000 fundraising wave

SURF COAST Longboarders Club’s Winter Classic surfing contest and charity auction night has been labelled a “huge success” and raised more than $7,000 for a local family experiencing crisis.

The two-day surfing event on July 29-30 featured some of the state’s best longboard athletes, who battled it out in small waves at Torquay and Point Impossible Beach.

Point Lonsdale surfer and incumbent state women’s logger champion Bea Conroy was able to go back-to-back in the Open Women’s division, while Torquay style master Matt

The club was thrilled to secure a huge lineup of raffle items from more than 15 local businesses.

Big-ticket items up for auction included a custom-made Sugar Mountain surfboard from local shaper Jordan Nobel, two surfboard vouchers from South Coast Surfboards, a wetsuit pack from Rip Curl and a selection of artworks from local creatives.

Surf Coast Longboarders Club president Penny Andrews said the show of support for the Winter Classic was at an all-time high.

“We raised well and truly more than last year which was just terrific.

“From people knowing our beneficiary on a personal level, many were very willing to give.

“We really hope the funds will help them with their current hardship.

“They’ve already been in contact with us and are incredibly pleased with the outcome.

“We also had super fun waves on both days of competition which made it even better!

“A huge thanks to the sponsors, committee and surfers who turned out on both days to make it such a success.”

The Winter Classic surfing event has helped to inject more than $50,000 back into the local community over the past 10 years.

For full results, head to liveheats.com/sclb