Over 70 of the top first nations surfers from across the country have arrived on Wadawurrung Country as the 10th running of the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles presented by Rip Curl kicks off tomorrow.
The event will be officially opened tomorrow morning at 7.30am with a Welcome to Country by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles and a mixing of the waters from the different lands representing the surfers.
Past champions who have returned this year include Finn Hill (Central Coast, NSW), Jaz McCorquodale (Bateau Bay, NSW), Russel Molony (Central Coast, NSW), Summer Simon (Gold Coast, QLD) along with former Pipe Masters hampion Robbie Page (Kempsey, NSW).
Hill, who has claimed the past two titles, will be returning to the event in the hope to be the first Open Mens surfer to claim three titles in a row.
“I’m super excited to get back down to Bells and hopefully score some really fun waves,” said Hill. “Its always great to surf some heats with all the crew down there and hopefully defend the title!”
Divisions within the event include Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, Masters Men and Women, Longboards Men and Women and Over 50 Men.
Surfing Victoria Indigenous Aquatics Manager, Jordie Campbell is looking forward to another edition of the prestigious event.
“It’s great to see so many amazing First Nations surfers come back down to Wadawurrung Country” said Campbell.
“We have a great looking forecast on offer with great waves all weekend and i’m looking forward to catching up with everyone!”
The event is expected to kick off tomorrow morning with a fun sized swell before increasing throughout the weekend with offshore winds predicted through to an anticipated finals day on Sunday.
Schedule
Friday 26th May, 2023
7:30am
Welcome to Country and Opening Ceremony
8.30am
Surfing Commences
All divisions on standby
Live scores, video and photos for the event can be found at www.australianindigenoussurfingtitles.com
Event Dates:
May 26th – May 28th, 2023
Bells Beach / Djarrak
The Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles is presented by Rip Curl and Head Sox supported by the Victorian Government, Surf Coast Events, VicHealth Surfing Australia, Play It Safe by the Water, Wadawurrung Tradional Overseers, Indigi-Print, Space Cubes and Feed Me Surf Coast.