TRIGG BEACH, WA/AUS (Tuesday 2nd June 2026), Western Australia’s finest longboarders converged on Denmark over the weekend for the 2026 West Coast Suspension WA Longboard State Titles presented by Think Mental Health, with State Champions crowned across twelve divisions after two days of quality competition on the South Coast.
The event showcased the depth, style and diversity of longboarding in Western Australia, with competitors ranging from emerging junior talents through to some of the state’s most respected surfing veterans.
In the Open Men’s division, Jack Medland (Dunsborough) claimed his maiden WA Longboard State Title, posting a winning two-wave total of 15.30 points to edge out Ryan Clark (Dunsborough) in one of the closest finals of the weekend. Medland’s polished performance saw him finish ahead of Evan Ledger (Albany) and Kai Flynn (Cowaramup) in a highly competitive final.
The Open Women’s final was equally entertaining, with Georgia Young (Perth) securing the State Title after posting 14.13 points to narrowly defeat Denver Young (Claremont). Madeleine Barrett (Dunsborough) and Megan Tucker (Perth) rounded out the finalists in a strong showcase of women’s longboarding talent.
One of the standout performers of the event was Paul Burke (Dunsborough), who completed a remarkable double by claiming both the Over 50 Men’s and Over 55 Men’s State Titles. Burke posted the highest heat total of the event in the Over 50 Men’s final, earning an impressive 17.16 points to overcome a strong challenge from Dave Smith (Osbourne Park).
Samantha Vanderford (Greenhead) also enjoyed a successful weekend, securing victories in both the Over 40 Women’s and Over 50 Women’s divisions, while Barrie McKinnon (Dunsborough), Brent Moss (Esperance) and John Haddow (Cowaramup) added further State Titles to their decorated longboarding resumes.
The future of WA longboarding was on full display in the junior divisions, with Maxen Horwood (Perth) and Lola Boykett (Gracetown) claiming the Under 18 Boys and Under 18 Girls State Titles respectively. Their victories highlighted the growing strength of the next generation, with record junior participation helping make the 2026 event one of the strongest in recent memory.
Surfing WA Contest Director Pete Carrol praised the standard of competition and the atmosphere throughout the weekend.
“The level of surfing across every division was outstanding and it was fantastic to see such a strong turnout from right across the state,” said Carrol.
“What makes longboarding special is the way it brings generations together. This weekend we saw junior surfers competing for their first State Titles while some of WA’s most experienced surfers continued to perform at an incredibly high level. Denmark provided the perfect backdrop for another memorable championship”.
2026 WA LONGBOARD STATE CHAMPIONS
Open Men’s:
1. Jack Medland – 15.30
2. Ryan Clark – 14.34
3. Evan Ledger – 13.73
4. Kai Flynn – 12.17
Open Women’s:
1. Georgia Young – 14.13
2. Denver Young – 13.06
3. Madeleine Barret – 10.43
4. Megan Tucker – 8.67
Over 40 Men’s:
1. Jock Bahen – 13.57
2. Scott Trew – 11.43
3. Robin Somogyvari – 9.43
4. Paul Burke – 7.20
Over 40 Women’s:
1. Samantha Vanderford – 12.50
2. Kim Horwood – 10.60
3. Sarah Daylight – 8.60
4. Chloe Amery – 5.84
Over 50 Men’s:
1. Paul Burke – 17.16
2. Dave Smith – 15.73
3. Dave Boykett – 11.57
4. Warren Salamone – 10.20
Over 50 Women’s:
1. Samantha Vanderford – 12.00
2. Kris Handyside – 4.50
Over 55 Men’s:
1. Paul Burke – 13.73
2. Dave Smith – 11.27
3. Kevin Anderson – 5.74
4. Brett Reed – 3.60
Over 60 Men’s:
1. Barrie McKinnon – 14.17
2. Kevin Anderson – 10.67
3. Brent Moss – 10.57
4. Brett Reed – 9.33
Over 65 Men’s:
1. Brent Moss – 13.20
2. Barrie McKinnon – 11.83
3. Steve Becker – 9.60
4. Richard Wain – 6.50
Over 70 Men’s:
1. John Haddow – 14.17
2. Bill Gibson – 8.93
Under 18 Girls:
1. Lola Boykett – 13.50
2. Talia Trew – 9.53
3. Sunny Arnold – 9.10
Under 18 Boys:
1. Maxen Horwood – 13.74
2. Taylor Flynn – 11.26
3. Jarrah Trew – 9.16
4. Wahnu Somogyvari – 8.43
About West Coast Suspensions:
Built for the road less travelled, West Coast Suspensions (WCS) has been powering Australian adventures for over a century. What began in 1924 as Jenkins Springs in the heart of Perth has grown into one of the country’s most trusted names in suspension for 4WD, truck, and commercial vehicle suspension.
Proudly WA-born and bred, WCS continues to support those who chase performance when it matters most. Just like the surfers exploring WA’s remote coastlines, WCS thrives on reliability, resilience, and the freedom to roam – values that have cemented its reputation for over the past 100 years. More information: www.westcoastsuspension.com.au
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