Jaz McCorquodale and Finn Hill go back to back on Wadawurrung Country at the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles presented by Rip Curl
Photo Credit: The 2022 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles has wrapped up at Bells Beach / Djarrk today! L-R: Rhys Collins, Landen Smales, Kauri Heuston-Conner, Robbie Page, Finn Hill and Jaz McCorquodale
Congratulations to all competitors for outstanding performances in the 2022 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles.
Former Champions Jaz McCorquodale (Central Coast / Darkinjung, NSW) and Finn Hill (Central Coast / Darkinjung, NSW) have gone back to back and claimed the 2022 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles at Bells Beach / Djarrk this weekend on Wadawurrung Country.
Perfect conditions greeted competitors on the final day with a clean 2-3ft swell wrapping into the culturally significant beach.
Also claiming the Open Women’s Longboard title, Jaz McCorquodale looked unstoppable until a last minute when Summer Simon (Gold Coast, QLD) made one last push in the final 2 minutes of the final, briefly taking the lead.
However McCorquodale found a final wave on the siren to re-take the lead with an 8.27 point ride. She finished on a heat total of 17.27 (out of a possible 20) to Simon’s 16.20 heat total.
“I’m so stoked. I’m so glad we got some waves to showcase how amazing we surf as a culture and as a group” said McCorquodale.
“There was a definitely a hole in my surfing heart the last few years when we weren’t able to come down to Bells. It’s always a special event to come down to as we are all like family.”
“It’s one of the events where everyone comes together as one and to be able to surf on Wadawurrung Country is incredible.”
Finishing in third place was Meg Day (Kadina, SA) on 12.03 points with Bohdie Simon (Gold Coast, QLD) in fourth on 8.33 points.
In the Open Men’s final, Noah Munro (Nora Head, NSW) came out swinging with a 7.33 score, however Finn Hill fired back locking in a heat total of 14.23 points. Munro finished on a heat total of 13.26 points.
“It’s such an honor to win again down here” said Hill. “This year was some of the best surfing I have seen at this event, every heat I was in was stacked!”
“Being able to surf against guys like Russ Molony is amazing. I have so much respect for the older guys and what they have done for us younger surfers.”
“It’s really special to represent my heritage at this event. It’s such a strong community and a special way to celebrate it.”
Placing in third was Russell Molony (Central Coast, NSW) on 12.56 points with Kaiden Smales (Noosa, QLD) in fourth on 10.54 points.
One of the most celebrated divisions of the event – the Elders – saw former event champion and Pipe Master, Robbie Page (Kempsey, NSW) take the win in the classic conditions.
Other event champions included Kauri Heuston-Connor (Burleigh, QLD – Junior Girls), Landen Smales (Noosa, QLD – Junior Boys & Longboard Men) and Rhys Collins (Mornington Peninsula, VIC – Masters Men).
The Rip Curl Best and Fairest award went to Ronny Newley (Agnes Waters, QLD).
Surfline Wave of the Day awards went to Summer Simon, Noah Munro and Kaden Smales.
Full Results, video and photos for the event can be found at www.australianindigenoussurfingtitles.com
Final Results:
Open Men:
1st: Finn Hill - 14.23
2nd: Noah Munro - 13.26
3rd: Russ Maloney - 12.56
4th: Kaiden Smales - 10.54
Open Women:
1st: Jaz McCorquodale - 17.27
2nd: Summer Simon - 16.20
3rd: Meg Day - 12.03
4th: Bodhi Simon, 8.33
Junior Girls
1st: Kauri Heuston-Connor - 17.76
2nd: Meg Day - 16.40
3rd: Bodhi Simon - 7.83
Junior Boys:
1st: Landen Smales - 17.66
2nd: Zane Silvester - 15.03
3rd: Hunter Winkler - 13.00
4th: Braith Wilson - 7.26
Masters Men:
1st: Rhys Collins - 13.33
2nd: Simon Zuvich - 11.40
3rd Anthony Hume - 8.00
4th: Robbie Page - 6.50
Elders:
1st: Robbie Page - 16.93
2nd: Jay Mckenzie - 15.20
3rd: Brian Thompson - 11.83
4th: Steffan Krasna - 10.67
5th: Ronny Newley - 9.90
Open Women Longboard:
1st: Jaz McCorquodale - 18.03
2nd: Jody Barsby - 13.67
3rd: Malissa Combo - 13.63
4th: Elly Muir - 12.73
5th: Jessi Muir - 7.67
6th: Amber Hamer
Open Men Longboard:
1st: Landen Smales - 17.03
2nd: Kaiden Smales - 16.97
3rd: Brian Thompson - 13.00
4th: James Archibald - 12.53
Rip Curl Best and Fairest:
Ronny Newley Surfline
Wave of the Day:
Day 1 – Summer Simon
Day 2 – Noah Munro
Day 3 – Kaden Smales
Event Dates:
May 27th – 29th, 2022
Bells Beach
The Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles is presented by Rip Curl and supported by the Victorian Government, HeadSox, the Surf Coast Shire, Surfline Australia, VicHealth, Play it Safe by the Water, Wathaurong Cooperative, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Space Cubes, Surfing Australia, ONABAC, VACSAL, Strong Brother Strong Sister and Surfing Victoria.
