Surf Coast SUPers reign at State Titles

TWO Surf Coast locals have secured a sport in this year’s Australian SUP Titles with superb performances last weekend at the state-level event in Torquay.

Champion Matt Takle (blue) with finalists Troy Ashton (Mount Duneed), Koyu Matsunaga (Ventnor) and Rick Pettifer (Jan Juc). RIGHT: Champion Emma Webb (Jan Juc) with podium getters Lucy Bell (Sandringham) and Xanthe Rivett (Rosebud).

Jan Juc’s Emma Web and Torquay’s Matt Takle both produced massive moments at Point Impossible last Saturday to win the Victorian SUP Titles respectively.

Web put on a thrilling display in the 10-foot Open finals to emerge victorious, getting the best out of the first set, riding her way to a 7.00-point score, before continuing her dominance on another wave.

Her other ride included an extended nose ride and subsequent turns, which earned her an additional 6.17 points and a greater share of the lead.

Web, after combining two rides for a combined 13.17 total, was head and shoulders above the field by the blowing of the final siren, leaving the rest of the field in a combination situation.

Placing in second was Sandringham’s Lucy Bell (5.37), while Rosebud’s Xanthe Rivett (5.00) rounded out the podium in third.

2024 Victorian SUP Titles Open Women’s champion Emma Web.

“It’s good seeing all the girls. We only get to see each other when we get together for competitions, so it’s really fun surfing with them,” Web said after the win.

“It feels great to take out the final. I love surfing any sort of board, so I think it’s just good to get out there in the waves and get people involved in the ocean.

“I like to mix it up, so I was just trying to get a nose ride off the take off and then put in some big turns as well.”

The Open Men’s division was filled with excitement and high drama highlighted by the appearance of a rogue bomb set.

Takle took the opportunity to unleash a powerful backhand attack, delivering on nothing short of spectacular.

He achieved the highest score of the event with a remarkable 9.17, and then executed a series of precise backhand snaps to earn him an 8.33, securing his victory in the final moments.

Champion Emma Webb (Jan Juc) with podium getters Lucy Bell (Sandringham) and Xanthe Rivett (Rosebud).

“I saw a set coming but I didn’t know if I was going to get there in time, so I just waited and had a go, luckily for me it came in time,” Takle said.

“It feels amazing to take it out and I’m super stoked. I haven’t been surfing that much lately, so it’s nice to get the double win in the 10ft as well.

“The competition has improved so much this year which made it a hard-fought final.”

Web and Takle will be among the favourites at the Australian SUP titles to be held at Phillip Island later this year.