Over 50 of WA’s best longboarders were joined by competitors from as far away as Noosa and Coolangatta In Queensland for the inaugural South West Log Fest, which concluded in epic conditions in Denmark last weekend.
Event organiser Evan Ledger said the invitational competition was inspired by the growing interest in the Western Australian longboard scene.
“The SWLF helps to highlight the exceptional log waves that we have when conditions align, as well as the remarkable talent among local longboarders,” said Evan. “We hope that this event will promote longboarding in WA for years to come.”
Sunny skies and groomed swells at Ocean Beach provided the perfect setting for the event, which was run with back-to-back Men’s and Women’s heats, providing an opportunity for both sides of the draw to make the most of the good conditions.
Anthony Spencer from Margaret River took out top spot in the Men’s Open Final, with long nose rides and big smooth turns. He narrowly defeated long-time rival Jack Medland (Dunsborough), who fell only 0.6 points short of first place, while Ryan Clark (Dunsborough), used his trademark cross step cutbacks and skilful noserides to finish third ahead of Mark Matisons (Cottesloe).
Leading the charge in the Open Women’s final was Georgia Young (Perth), who combined big turns and long noserides with good wave selection. Sasha Lowerson (Mandurah), was hot on her heals and finished runner up ahead of Jade Foster (Busselton) and Amanda Curley (Margaret River), who was fresh off her win at the Aussie Titles in Port Macquarie.
The winner of the Junior division, 15-year-old Kai Flynn, was a standout performer, displaying a grace and style beyond his years. Finlay Foley finished in second place with his powerful turns and precise nose rides, while Max Clarke (Cottesloe) surfed his way into third ahead of Jake Smith.
Evan said it was heartening to see the high-level of surfing and growing interest in longboarding from the under 18’s competitors, with enough entrants to field two semi-final heats.
“All Junior competitors impressed with the level of surfing on display,” he said. “The future of longboarding in WA is in good hands!”
“All round it was heaps of fun to organise and I was happy to see it unfold in such a successful way. The longboarding community really is a special one.”
Denmark local Georgie Loughridge and Dunsborough’s Luke Gouvingnon both received prizes from Inner Realm after claiming the ‘Most Stylish Surfer’ awards for their smooth styles.
Semi-finalist competitor Maddie Barrett was the major raffle prize winner of the 6’8 Moonshine Longfish and Doug Carruthers won a stay at Country Comfort Hotel in Perth.
Men’s Open:
1st: Anthony Spencer
2nd: Jack Medland
3rd: Ryan Clark
4th: Mark Matisons
Women’s Open:
1st: Georgia Young
2nd: Sasha Lowerson
3rd: Jade Foster
4th: Amanda Curley
Junior Open:
1st: Kai Flynn
2nd: Finlay Foley
3rd: Max Clarke
4th: Jake Smith
