TRIGG BEACH, WA/AUS (Monday the 13th July 2026), Sunshine, clean waves and the unmistakable spirit of Western Australia’s longboarding community combined for an unforgettable weekend as the 27th Lavan Whalebone Longboard Classic returned to Cottesloe’s Isolated Reef.
A record field of 167 competitors contested more than 80 heats across three days of competition, with surfers aged from juniors through to Over 65s showcasing exceptional talent while celebrating the friendships, traditions and camaraderie that have made Whalebone one of Australia’s most cherished longboarding events.
The weekend culminated in classic winter conditions on Sunday, with light winds and glassy 1–2ft waves providing the perfect canvas for the event’s finals.
In the blue-ribbon Lavan Open Men’s Final, Dunsborough’s Jack Medland produced the highest two-wave total of the event (16.66) to claim his maiden Whalebone Open title ahead of Albany’s Evan Ledger.
“It’s just a massive community around here,” Medland said. “Everyone’s like one big unit. I’m just super thankful and super grateful.”
Perth’s Georgia Young further cemented her place in Whalebone history, claiming an incredible 10th Whalebone title after another composed performance in the Lavan Open Women’s final.
“Massive congratulations to all the girls,” Young said. “Every year it gets harder and the level is going through the roof, which is so good to see. It’s so much fun sharing waves with everyone. I’ve been coming here since I was in the juniors and it’s just such a great weekend.”
Young also claimed victory in the CEA CEA Open Women’s Logger, while Anthony Spencer took out both the Red Equipment Open Men’s Logger and the prestigious Gage Roads Old Mal division.
“It’s been a couple of years, so it’s good to be back,” Spencer said. “It was nice to see all the crew and have some yarns.”
The event continued to celebrate longboarding across every generation, with Jarrah Trew claiming the Club Med Under 18 title alongside his sister Talia, who also reached the final.
“It feels good to get the win,” Trew said. “I love surfing with everyone. It’s really special surfing with my sister – not many people get to do that.”
The family atmosphere extended across every division throughout the weekend.
Over 65 Men’s champion Steve Becker praised the volunteers and competitors who make the event possible.
“Thank you to Surfing WA, thank you to all the judges – I know that’s hard work,” Becker said. “Thank you to all the competitors. It’s just a good comp.”
Club Med Over 60 Women’s winner Jane Frigeri celebrated the continued growth of women’s longboarding.
“I had a lot of fun. I love surfing with the ladies and I’m really happy there’s an Over 60 Women’s division.”
SharkSmart Over 50 Men’s Logger champion Warren Salamone said the atmosphere remains what sets Whalebone apart.
“I love the whole spirit of everyone who comes down to support. It’s a magic weekend and I’m stoked to be part of it.”
Cottesloe Surf Over 50 Men’s winner Jarrah Calder also acknowledged the spectators who lined the beach throughout the finals.
“The crowds have been fantastic. It really helps when you’re out there and everyone’s cheering you on.”
Beyond the competition, the weekend was filled with beachside catch-ups, generations of surfers sharing waves and stories, and plenty of memorable moments in and out of the water, reinforcing the Lavan Whalebone Classic’s reputation as one of the highlights of the Australian longboarding calendar.
“The Lavan Whalebone Longboard Classic is a much-loved event that brings people together to celebrate the best of Western Australian surf culture,” said Lavan managing partner Dean Hely. Lavan is The Western Australia Law Firm, and we are proud to support Surfing WA.”
Surfing WA congratulates all competitors, volunteers, officials, partners and spectators who helped make the 27th Lavan Whalebone Longboard Classic another outstanding celebration of surfing culture.
Final scores and results can be found at www.liveheats.com and for more information on this or any other surfing event in Western Australia head to www.surfingwa.com.au
27th LAVAN WHALEBONE CLASSIC RESULTS:
CARLIN CHIROPRACTIC OVER 65 MEN
1. Steve Becker (Mandurah) – 13.97
2. Norm Bateman (Karrinyup) – 13.10
3. Greg McDonald (Kalbarri) – 8.93
4. Bill Gibson (Cowaramup) – 7.90
WEST COAST SUSPENSIONS OVER 60 MEN
1. Brett Reed (Lake Coogee) – 13.10
2. Kevin Adnerson (Fremantle) – 11.30
3. Neil Anthony Hayward (Heathridge) – 10.44
4. James Mcghee (Mosman Park) – 9.20
CLUB MED OVER 60 WOMEN
1. Jane Frigeri (Heathridge) – 6.16
2. Hiroko Smith (Mt Claremont) – 4.35
COTTESLOE SURF OVER 50 MEN
1. Jarrah Calder (Bicton) – 12.74
2. Warren Salamone (Trigg) – 10.67
3. Brett Reed (Lake Coogee) – 9.93
4. Brett Morison (Wannanup) – 7.76
CLUB MED OVER 50 WOMEN
1. Amanda Curley (Margaret River) – 11.16
2. Ari Schipf (Hilton) – 8.63
SHARKSMART OVER 50 MEN’S LOGGER
1. Warren Salamone (Trigg) – 13.23
2. Peter Harvey (City Beach) – 10.87
3. James Mcghee (Mosman Park) – 9.73
4. Douglas Carruthers (Margaret River) – 9.56
FORESTER ESTATE OVER 50 WOMEN’S LOGGER
1. Amanda Curley (Margaret River) – 11.00
2. Ari Schipf (Hilton) – 10.44
3. Hiroko Smith (Mt Claremont) – 6.33
SAFESTYLE OVER 40 MEN
1. Scott Trew (Gabbadah) – 14.10
2. Daniel Strzina (Cottesloe) – 13.64
3. Jock Bahen (Cowaramup) – 12.54
4. Jarrah Calder (Bicton) – 7.23
MELVILLE, ROCKINGHAM & COCKBURN TOYOTA OVER 40 WOMEN
1. Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough) – 10.50
2. Belle Watters (Spearwood) – 7.34
3. Sarah Daylight (Karrinyup) – 7.16
4. Chloe Amery (Palmyra) – 6.00
CLUB MED UNDER 18 JUNIORS
1. Jarrah Trew (Gabbadah) – 11.10
2. Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup) – 10.40
3. Talia Trew (Gabbadah) – 7.50
4. Antonia Zaffino-Little (Ashfield) – 3.37
RED EQUIPMENT OPEN MEN’S LOGGER
1. Anthony Spencer (Margaret River) – 14.30
2. Evan Ledger (Albany) – 13.54
3. Ryan Clark (Dunsborough) – 11.44
4. Jordan Morris (Hillarys) – 10.40
CEA CEA OPEN WOMEN’S LOGGER
1. Georgia Young (Perth) – 14.40
2. Madeleine Barret (Cottesloe) – 11.07
3. Jade Foster (Broadwater) – 10.67
4. Denver Young (Claremont) – 9.90
NO TXT NO WRECKS NOSE RIDER
1. Evan Ledger (Albany) – 7.67
2. Daniel Strzina (Cottesloe) – 6.20
3. Jordan Morris (Hillarys) – 6.03
4. Jack Robinson (Mullaloo) – 5.67
LAVAN OPEN MEN’S FINAL
1. Jack Medland (Dunsborough) – 16.66 – $1,000
2. Evan Ledger (Yallingup) – 14.07 – $500
3. Anthony Spencer (Margaret River) – 11.04 – $300
4. Ryan Clark (Dunsborough) – 9.43 – $200
LAVAN OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL
1. Georgia Young (Perth) – 10.83 – $1,000
2. Maddie Barrett (Cottesloe) – 9.90 – $500
3. Jade Foster (Broadwater) – 9.50 – $300
4. Talia Oliver (Hilton) – 9.47 – $200
GAGE ROADS OLD MAL
1. Anthony Spencer (Margaret River) – 17.50 – $500
2. Jack Medland (Dunsborough) – 16.57 – $250
3. Ryan Clark (Dunsborough) – 13.73 – $150
4. Jordan Morris (Hillarys) – 13.60 – $100
MOONSHINE SPIRIT AWARD
Jade Foster (Broadwater)
ABOUT THE 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 Isolated Reef 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.
ABOUT LAVAN
Lavan is a leading, full-service law firm based in Perth, Western Australia. With a proud history spanning more than 128 years, Lavan provides strategic legal advice across a wide range of sectors including real estate & building, mining & resources, agribusiness, government, banking & finance, aged care & seniors living, education, and family & private clients. Known for its commitment to community and innovation, Lavan combines deep local knowledge with a forward-thinking approach to support its clients and the broader WA business landscape.
For more information about Lavan, please visit lavan.com.au
Photo Credit: Pedro Bonfante
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