The 2024 West Coast Suspensions WA Longboard Championships presented by Think Mental Health has drawn to a close in Denmark, leaving behind a trail of exhilarating moments and showcasing the vibrant spirit of the West Australia longboarding community.
Three days of pure surfing bliss unfolded along WA’s stunning south coast, offering not just remarkable waves but an unmatched sense of camaraderie and competition, with thirteen champions crowned from the fearless Under-18 Juniors to the seasoned Over-70 Grand Kahunas.
Competitors from every corner of Western Australia, from Exmouth to Esperance, united in Denmark with one common goal, to ride the waves and secure their spot in the Australian Longboard Titles which are set to run later this year.
Parry’s Beach provided two days of near-perfect longboard conditions, however finals day served up challenging conditions for competitors, with a large and powerful swell making life difficult for competitors across all divisions. Surfers armed with a nine-foot-plus boards, showcased their prowess, extracting every ounce of energy from the ocean’s offerings.
Anthony Spencer (Trigg) made a welcome return to competition, capturing the Open Men’s State Title with a seamless fusion of traditional and modern technique, putting on a show in the 25-minute final. Spencer scored the event’s only perfect 10 point ride for a deep tube ride and powerful reentry, before backing it up with an excellent 8.17 (from a possible 10), to finish on an impressive combined total of 18.17 (from a possible 20).
“It’s been nice to throw on a vest and compete again, it’s been a while since I’ve had a win at the State Titles,” said Spencer. “It’s been an amazing few days down here in Denmark and the boys pushed me really hard in that final.”
The competition was fierce, with Scott Trew (Gabbadah), Ryan Clark (Dunsborough) and Sam Williams (Nedlands) pushing Spencer to his limits. The battle kept spectators on the edge of their seats, culminating in nail-biting rides with Trew finishing in second, Clark in third and Williams in fourth place.
New face and talent highlighted the Open Women’s final, with Maddie Barrett (Cottesloe), claiming her maiden State Title in her WA Longboard Championships debut. Hailing from Geraldton originally, Barrett looked right at home in the open ocean swells, scoring a heat high 7.00 (from a possible 10) and backed it up with a 5.67 on her way to victory.
Barrett’s mix of flow, style and grace saw her overcome challengers Georgia Young (Perth), Yomi Chen (Scarborough) and Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough) to take a memorable win.
“This is my first State Championship event, I’ve done a few events before, but this feels amazing,” said Barrett. “I love longboarding and I need to thank my friend Georgia Hanson for convincing me to sign up, it’s been such a fun event and Denmark is such a beautiful location.”
Dane Quirk of Exmouth, was a strong performer throughout the event, with raw power mixed with a traditional footwork a highlight of the Over-40 Men’s division. Quirk defended his State Title from 2023 with a buzzer beating ride that moved him into first place ahead of Scott Trew (Gabbadah), Andrew Bland (Dunsborough), and Paul Burke (Dunsborough).
Paul Burke (Dunsborough), was the only surfer to claim multiple State Titles in Denmark, claiming victory in the Over-45 Men’s and Over-50 Men’s divisions. Burke competed in four divisions and was able to manage his energy levels throughout the event to defend his Over-45’s title and take out the hotly contested Over-50’s division.
“The waves on Friday and Saturday were amazing, but today has definitely been challenging with a lot of water moving around,” said Burke. “It’s nice to qualify for the National Titles and the WA Team is such fun and hopefully we can get a strong team together again this year.”
Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough) was victorious in the Over-40 Women’s final, Samantha Vanderford (Green Head) took out the Over 50 Women’s division, with Judy Dann (Two Rocks) successful in the Over-60 Women’s.
While in other results, Dave Smith (Osborne Park) won the Over-55 Men’s final, Brent Moss (Esperance) was the best of the Over-60 Men’s competitors, Barrie McKinnon (Dunsborough) was dominant in the Over-65’s, Stan Davies (Daglish) won the Over-70 Men’s, while Kai Flynn the best of the Under-18 Junior surfers.
As the waves settled and champions were crowned, Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks commended the participants, acknowledging the unique bond shared by Western Australia’s longboarding community.
“Congratulations to all our champions and National Title qualifiers,” said Majeks. “It’s been another amazing showcase of longboarding here in Denmark and the performances across all divisions have been truly exciting and inspiring.”
Anthony Spencer’s remarkable 10 point ride earned him the West Coast Suspensions Wave of the Weekend.
Hot off the success of Denmark, longboard attention now turns to the upcoming Geraldton Winter Classic in June and the 25th Whalebone Longboard Classic in Cottesloe in July, providing WA competitors more opportunity to compete and prepare ahead of the National Titles, with dates and location to be confirmed soon.
FINAL RESULTS – 2024 WEST COAST SUSPENSIONS WA LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Open Men’s Longboard:
1. Anthony Spencer (Trigg) – 18.17
2. Scott Trew (Gabbadah) – 13.80
3. Ryan Clark (Dunsborough) – 12.77
4. Sam Williams (Nedlands) – 7.43
State Champion – Anthony Spencer
Open Women’s Longboard:
1. Maddie Barrett (Cottesloe) – 12.67
2. Georgia Young (Perth) – 9.63
3. Yomi Chen (Scarborough) – 6.80
4. Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough) – 4.60
State Champion – Maddie Barrett
Over 40 Men’s Longboard:
1. Dane Quirk (Exmouth) – 11.70
2. Scott Trew (Gabbadah) – 11.37
3. Andrew Bland (Dunsborough) – 9.20
4. Paul Burke (Dunsborough) – 6.93
State Champion – Dane Quirk
Over 40 Women’s Longboard:
1. Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough) – 16.71
2. Kim Horwood (Hillarys) – 11.80
* results based off 2x finals
State Champion – Shae Sheridan
Over 45 Men’s Longboard:
1. Paul Burke (Dunsborough) – 25.33
2. Scott Bond (Bunbury) – 10.23
* results based off 2x finals
State Champion – Paul Burke
Over 50 Men’s Longboard:
1. Paul Burke (Dunsborough) – 14.43
2. Dave Smith (Osborne Park) – 7.94
3. Matt Inman (Trigg) – 6.76
4. Kevin Anderson (North Fremantle) – 6.23
State Champion – Paul Burke
Over 50 Women’s Longboard:
1. Samantha Vanderford (Green Head) – 21.93
2. Amanda Curley (Margaret River) – 19.40
* results based off 2x finals
State Champion – Samantha Vanderford
Over 55 Men’s Longboard:
1. Dave Smith (Osborne Park) – 15.84
2. Brett Merifield (Dunsborough) – 10.77
3. Kevin Anderson (North Fremantle) – 10.06
4. Doug Carruthers (Margaret River) – 9.80
State Champion – Dave Smith
Over 60 Men’s Longboard:
1. Brent Moss (Esperance) – 27.61
2. Barrie McKinnon (Dunsborough) – 25.64
3. Brett Merifield (Dunsborough) – 17.80
4. Keith Lingard (Denmark) – 10.70
* results based off 2x finals
State Champion – Brent Moss
Over 60 Women’s Longboard:
1. Judy Dann (Two Rocks) – 23.33
* results based off 2x finals
State Champion – Judy Dann
Over 65 Men’s Longboard:
1. Barrie McKinnon (Dunsborough) – 23.80
2. Brent Moss (Esperance) – 19.17
3. Bill Gibson (Margaret River) – 17.76
4. Steve Becker (Mandurah) – 10.49
State Champion – Barrie McKinnon
Over 70 Men’s Longboard:
1. Stan Davies (Daglish) – 18.76
2. Tony Harrison (Albany) – 13.33
* results based off 2x finals
State Champion – Stan Davies
Under 18 Junior Longboard:
1. Kai Flynn (Cowaramup) – 19.50
2. Qynn Horwood (Hillarys) – 7.27
* results based off 2x finals
State Champion – Kai Flynn
You can keep up to date with all the action by following Surfing WA’s social media platforms or by checking out www.surfingwa.com.au
About West Coast Suspensions:
West Coast Suspension formally commenced trading as Jenkins Springs Pty Ltd in Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia in 1924. The West Coast Suspensions name was registered in 1990 to further reflect the company’s progression as a specialist suspension supplier to road transport, mining, recreational 4×4 and off road vehicles. More information: www.westcoastsuspension.com.au
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