Jack Medland (Dunsborough, WA) and Sasha Jane Lowerson (Mandurah, WA) have etched their names into one of Western Australia’s most prestigious and iconic trophy’s, with victory at the 23rd Lavan Whalebone Longboard Classic in Cottesloe over the weekend.
After a two year hiatus, the Whalebone Longboard Classic returned with a bang, as over 100 competitors from around WA and Australia converged on the reef’s of Cottesloe and battled hard through some challenging winter conditions, with fresh onshore winds and lumpy 2-4 feet surf on offer on finals day.
The Whalebone Classic was established back in 1998 after local longboarder Peter Dunn discovered a whale’s rib bone immersed in the surf at Cottesloe and decided to host a longboarding competition in memory of the whale’s spirit.
Two decades on, the Whalebone Classic has gone from strength-to-strength, and remains as one of the ‘must attend’ longboard and logger events in Australia.
Despite the weather, a strong crowd soaked up the festival style atmosphere, whilst cheering on the event finalists, who all performed tremendously despite the tricky conditions.
Jack Medland proved he’s a once in a generation talent, taking out a trifecta of wins including victory in blue-ribbon Lavan Pro Men’s division. Medland opened the 25-minute final with a 7.00 (from a possible 10) and never looked back, going on to amass a two wave combined total of 13.90 (from a possible 20).
Utilising every inch of his board, Medland combined old school moves with modern flare as he defeated Jock Bahen (Cowarmup, WA), Rahn Goddard (Redfern, NSW) and Mark Matisons (Cottesloe, WA), who were all left chasing seven point rides or better to snatch the win.
“What an event and I couldn’t be happier with this result,” said Medland. “All the boys surf so well and I knew it was going to be a tough final, it was a really good battle and I’m so thrilled to come away with the win.”
The Lavan Pro Women’s final was also an entertaining affair as all four surfers traded the lead with good waves and scores flowing early. Despite a slow start, Sasha Jane Lowerson built momentum during the final and used traditional and modern longboard manoeuvres to claim a heat high 7.00 (from a possible 10) and then backed it up with a 5.20 to finish on a combined two-wave total of 12.20 (from a possible 20).
Lowerson was challenged all the way by inform surfers Lucy Small (Newtown, NSW), Denver Young (Scarborough, WA) and Holly Moskens (Surf Beach, VIC), who all continued to push the progression of female longboarding in the country.
“Thanks to everyone here and for everyone’s support through my journey,” said Lowerson. “I was lucky enough to find that one dreamy left which allowed me to do my kind of surfing. The Whalebone means a lot to so many people and to be part of it all feels amazing.”
Jack Medland styled his way to victory in the Gage Roads Old Mal final, surfing a board that was shaped prior to 1967, Medland continued to impress taking down Whalebone icon Jock Bahen, Evan Ledger (Dunsborough, WA) and reigning Old Mal champion Rahn Goddard.
Surfing without a legrope, Medland looked smooth and stylish as he finished on a two wave total of 12.35 (from a possible 20).
“It’s been an epic event and I think for me the Old Mal is what this event is all about,” said Medland. “Thanks to Dunny for setting this up so many years ago and for everyone getting around it again, I’ll savour this one for a while.”
Medland capped off a memorable weekend of with victory in the Moonshine Surfboard Open Men’s Logger division, a trio of results that will be hard to match for many years to come.
The 23rd Lavan Whalebone Classic brought together over 100 male and female surfers together for a celebration of longboarding in Cottesloe, with great community support and engagement, and a whole bunch of stoke spread across a broad demographic.
In other results, Georgia Young (Perth, WA) was victorious in the Firewire Open Women’s Logger final. David Robertson (Shelly, WA) won the Ocean & Earth Over-70 Men’s final, with Glenn Solomon (Scarborough, WA) won the hotly contested West Coast Suspensions Over-60 Mens.
Surfboard shaper Dave Smith (Osborne Park) won his first longboard event, taking out the Boat Fix Over 50 Men’s final, while Doug Carruthers (Margaret River, WA) won the Dethridge Groves Real Estate Over-50 Men’s Logger division.
Samantha Vanderford (Greenhead, WA) scooped an impressive double winner, with victory in the Huey Choice Wax Over-40 Women’s as well as the Cottesloe General Store Over 50 Women’s division.
Scott Trew (Gabbadah, WA) won the Vidlers Surf Over-40 Men’s, with Amanda Curley (North Beach, WA) taking out the Minuteman Press Perth Over-50 Women’s Logger final. While, Finlay Foley (Marybrook) was the best of the youngsters taking out the Spiral Wetsuits Junior Boys final.
Surfing Western Australia events manger Justin Majeks was ecstatic with the success of this year’s Whalebone Longboard Classic and the quality of the surfers and the spirit of the competitors.
“It’s great to see the Whalebone back in such a great way,” said Majeks. “Clearly this event means a lot to a such a large number of people and can’t thank them all enough. Well done to all our champions, everyone who surfed, everyone who helped, and we wait to do it all again.”
The Whalebone Classic was born in 1998 after local longboarder Peter Dunn, discovered a whale’s rib bone immersed in the surf at Isolators and decided to host a longboarding competition in memory of the whale’s spirit. Two decades on the competition has grown to be one of Western Australia’s most iconic longboard events and a much-loved tradition within the local community.
The Whalebone Longboard Classic combined a total of 14 divisions, from Under-18 Juniors to Over-70 Grand Legends and is much more than just a surfing competition, with an impressive social calendar, as well as onsite catering, surf stalls, live music and much, much more.
The 23rd Lavan Whalebone Longboard Classic was streamed via www.streamer.com.au for the very time. For more information on this or any other WA event series be sure to log onto www.surfingwa.com.au and check out all the Surfing WA social media platforms for event updates and information.
Surfing WA acknowledges the State Government’s support through the Road Safety Commission and reminds all our traveling competitors and families of the dangers of sending a text message or using a mobile phone while behind the wheel – Remember #NoTxtNoWrecks.
23rd LAVAN WHALEBONE LONGBOARD CLASSIC FINAL RESULTS:
Lavan Pro Men’s Final:
1. Jack Medland (Dunsborough, WA) – 13.90
2. Jock Bahen (Cowaramup, WA) – 13.20
3. Rahn Goddard (Redfern, NSW) – 12.20
4. Mark Matisons (Cottesloe, WA) – 10.10
Lavan Pro Women’s Final:
1. Sasha Jane Lowerson (Mandurah, WA) – 12.20
2. Lucy Small (Newtown, NSW) – 10.40
3. Denver Young (Scarborough, WA) – 9.10
4. Molly Hoskens (Secret Harbour, WA) – 5.20
Gage Roads Old Mal:
1. Jack Medland (Dunsborough, WA) – 12.35
2. Jock Bahen (Cowaramup, WA) – 10.00
3. Evan Ledger (Dunsborough, WA) – 8.75
4. Rahn Goddard (Newtown, WA) – 8.30
Moonshine Open Men Loggers:
1. Jack Medland (Dunsborough, WA) – 14.25
2. Kai Annetts (Alexander Headland, QLD) – 13.75
3. Evan Ledger (Dunsborough, WA) – 13.40
4. Lindsay Small (Waikiki, WA) – 10.00
Firewire Open Women Loggers:
1. Georgia Young (Perth, WA) – 14.60
2. Lucy Small (Newtown, NSW) – 12.45
3. Molly Hoskens (Secret Harbour, WA) – 8.75
4. Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough, WA) – 5.15
Ocean & Earth Over 70 Men:
1. David Robertson (Shelly, WA) – 19.25*
2. Norman Bateman (Karrinyup, WA) – 18.90*
3. Colin Small (Gold Coast, QLD) – 3.60*
*combined total from 2x finals
West Coast Suspensions Over 60 Men:
1. Glenn Solomon (Scarborough, WA) – 9.15
2. Ken Jarvis (Karrinyup, WA) – 7.75
3. Steve Becker (Palmyra, WA) – 6.35
4. Bill Gibson (Margaret River, WA) – 5.20
BoatFix Over 50 Men:
1. Dave Smith (Osborne Park, WA) – 12.50
2. Doug Carruthers (Margaret River, WA) – 11.80
3. Jason Weeks (Lancelin, WA) – 9.10
4. Craig Bell (Wembly Downs, WA) – 6.10
Cottesloe General Store Over 50 Women:
1. Samantha Vanderford (Greenhead, WA) – 15.45*
2. Amanda Curley (North Beach, WA) – 13.25*
3. Belinda Le Grice (East Fremantle, WA) – 10.95*
4. Ari Schippf (Hilton, WA) – 8.50*
*combined total from 2x finals
Dethridge Groves Real Estate Over 50 Men’s Logger:
1. Doug Carruthers (Margaret River, WA) – 10.65
2. Glenn Solomon (Scarborough, WA) – 9.50
3. Bill Gibson (Margaret River, WA) – 8.65
4. Barrie McKinnon (Dunsborough, WA) – 8.10
MinuteMan Press Perth Over 50 Women Loggers:
1. Amanda Curley (North Beach, WA) – 23.25*
2. Ari Schiff (Hilton, WA) – 14.05*
3. Hiro Smith (Fremantle. WA) – 4.70*
*combined total from 2x finals
Vidlers Surf Shop Over 40 Men:
1. Scott Trew (Gabbadah, WA) – 26.90
2. Matt Inman (Trigg, WA) – 10.00
3. Ryan Nye (Como, WA) – 9.75
4. Simon Clark (Bicton, WA) – 8.10
Hueys Choice Surf Wax Over 40 Women:
1. Samantha Vanderford (Green Head, WA) – 27.85*
2. Melissa Pontre (Subiaco, WA) – 15.70*
*combined total from 2x finals
Spiral Wetsuits 18 Jnr Boys:
1. Finlay Foley (Marybrook, WA) – 24.10*
2. Jake Smith (Osborne Park, WA) – 23.40*
*combined total from 2x finals
ABOUT THE 23rd LAVAN WHALEBONE LONGBOARD CLASSIC:
The Whalebone Classic was born in 1998 after local longboarder Peter Dunn, discovered a whale’s rib bone immersed in the surf at Isolators and decided to host a longboarding competition in memory of the whale’s spirit. Two decades later, the competition has grown to become a much-loved tradition within the local longboarding community.
