The 2024 Australian SUP Titles concluded over the past weekend, with champions crowned across surfing and racing disciplines.
The 2024 Australian SUP Titles took place on Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia last week.
Competitors from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia dominated the SUP surfing, with Kai Bates (Mollymook, NSW) and Isi Campbell (Denmark, WA) taking out the Open Men’s and Open Women’s divisions, respectively. Bates secured victory with his two best waves scoring 7.67 and 7.63, narrowly edging out Indy Rose (Avalon, NSW) by just 0.77 points.
“Feels great to win the nationals after missing a few years, Bates said. “There were some fun rights that were turning into lefts and cleaning up as they hit the inside section. I had a quick start and then couldn’t find many waves at the end of the heat. Thanks to Surfing Victoria crew and Surfing Australis for finding the best conditions and running a great contest.”
Meanwhile, Campbell posted the highest heat total of the day, a 16.33 (out of a possible 20), with two excellent scores of 8.33 and 8.00.
Campbell said SUP boarding has been part of her rehabilitation journey.
“I am one year post shoulder reconstruction,” Campbell said. “SUP boarding is something I can do with my dad and have some fun competing. I am taking it as it comes and my long term goals are to continue with more QS (Qualifying Series) surfing with hopes of making the Challenger Series.”
In the Over 50’s Women’s division, Gwen Carbone (Ocean Grove, VIC), claimed the title.”I went in with no expectations because it has been so long since my last competition,” Carbone said. “The people here are fantastic. It’s a community. All the women are supportive of each other. Surfing Australia runs a really professional competition, very good communications and fair judging. I was just super stoked and it’s awesome to come first.”
Marty Cole (Crescent Head, NSW) won the 10ft Open Men’s title and placed third in the Over 40 Men.
“I stayed busy, after having a shocker in the Over 40s and just tried to do the most critical turns using the longboard criteria with the cross stepping and nose riding, especially on the apex of the waves,” Cole said. “Staying busy in the dying conditions was the key element. I’ve been bridesmaid every other time so its great to win.”
Emma Webb (Jan Juc, VIC) claimed back-to-back titles in 10ft Open Women, while Jonathan Hagan (Robina, QLD) secured victory in the Technical Race, with an impressive time.
In the marathon racing, Jonathan Hagan (Robina, QLD) claimed the Open Men’s title, while Ke’ale Dorries (Elanora, QLD) secured the Open Women’s crown. Both competitors achieved back-to-back victories, having also won the SUP Technical Race in their respective divisions yesterday. These wins have earned them spots at the 2025 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship.
“It was a really fun marathon race in the end,” Hagan said. “The wind was behind us, which was nice and the tide was going with us. It’s such a beautiful place down here at Phillip Island. The conditions were amazing it was a really enjoyable paddle.”
Contest Director Rohan Fell said: “We had beautiful conditions today, with light easterly winds that gradually picked up during the race, making for exciting competition. The course, starting at Coronet Bay and finishing on the Cowes foreshore, allowed us to time the race with the outgoing tide. Phillip Island is ideal for a range of wave and racing profiles. Bass Coast Shire has been an incredible host, and we’re already looking forward to returning next year.”
SUP Victoria President PeterJackson said: “A big thanks to Surfing Australia and Surfing Victoria for putting on such an excellent and well-organised event with their flexibility in adjusting locations, given the challenging conditions earlier in the week. Also thanks to sponsors Bass Coast Shire, Starboard and Jim Beam. It was great to catch up with SUPers from all over the country at the national titles, and look forward to what’s ahead next year.”
Host state Victoria was named overall champions, while Hannah Finlay-Jones received the Spirit of SUP Award.
RESULTS
Open Men
Kai Bates (Mollymook, NSW) – 15.30
Indy Rose (Avalon, NSW) – 14.53
Connor Linz (Salamander Bay, NSW) – 8.00
Matt Takle (Torquay, VIC) – 7.74
Open Women
Isi Campbell (Denmark, WA) – 16.33
Rebecca Dunning (Barrack Heights, NSW) – 10.50
Hannah Finlay-Jones (Merewether Heights, NSW) – 6.00
Ke’ale Dorries (Elanora, QLD) – 0.00
O50 Men
Chris Twomey (Karrinyup, WA) – 13.63
Andrew Cassidy (Mona Vale, NSW) – 13.33
Peter Campbell (Denmark, WA) – 9.77
Blair Moore (Woonona , NSW) – 8.73
O50 Women
Gwen Carbone (Ocean Grove, VIC) – 10.17
Kerry Davenport (Bateau Bay , NSW) – 6.36
Madeline Rayner (Berrara, NSW) – 5.40
Juanita Read (Wakerley, QLD) – 4.87
O40 Men
Matthew Russell (Kiama Downs, NSW) – 11.07
Troy Ashton (Mount Duneed, VIC) – 10.67
Marty Cole (Crescent Head, NSW) – 9.47
Richard Feeney (Wallabi Point, NSW) – 9.47
O40 Women
Rebecca Dunning (Barrack Heights, NSW) – 12.10
Lucy Bell (Sandringham, VIC) – 7.00
Madeline Rayner (Berrara, NSW) – 4.46
Xanthe Rivett (Rosebud, VIC) – 0.00
10ft Open Men
Marty Cole (Crescent Head, NSW) – 16.00
Matt Takle (Torquay, VIC) – 12.27
Liam McCafferty (McCrae, VIC) – 10.57
Andrew Cassidy (Mona Vale, NSW) – 7.33
10ft Open Women
Emma Webb (Jan Juc, VIC) – 11.50
Hannah Finlay-Jones (Merewether Heights, NSW) – 10.10
O50 Men LB SUP
Liam McCafferty (McCrae, VIC) – 14.73
Jamie Ralston (Bicton, WA) – 12.07
Scott Penwarn (Varsity Lakes, QLD) – 8.67
Sam Hodder (Dromana, VIC) – 6.63
O40 Women LB SUP
Emma Webb (Jan Juc, VIC) – 13.43
Lucy Bell (Sandringham, VIC) – 6.30
Susanne Prosser (Wallington, VIC) – 4.80
Kerry Davenport (Bateau Bay, NSW) – 2.96
O60 10ft SUP
Jamie Ralston (Bicton, WA) – 14.83
Craig Caldwell (Summerland Point, NSW) – 9.80
John Takle (Torquay, VIC) – 9.34
Michael Jenkins (Black Rock, VIC) – 4.80
Technical Race (Top 4)
Jonathan Hagan (Robina, QLD) – 15:17.46
Warwick Lee (Cheltenham, VIC) – 18:02.00
Dave Warner (Moe, VIC) – 18:41.00
Ke’ale Dorries (Elanora, QLD) (F) – 19:25.00
Open Men Marathon
Jonathan Hagan (Robina, QLD) – 1:28:42.21
Ivan Martorell (Tootgarook, VIC) – 1:43:40.00
Open Women Marathon
Ke’ale Dorries (Elanora, QLD) – 1:48:57.00
Susanne Prosser (Wallington, VIC) – 1:53:37.00
Stephanie Sievers (Richmond, VIC) – 2:04:18.00
O40 Men Marathon
Warwick Lee (Cheltenham, VIC)- 1:42:36.00
Duncan Gosling (Moorabbin, VIC) – 1:43:53.00
O50 Open Marathon
Dave Warner (Moe, VIC) – 1:37:34.00
Peter Jackson (Rosebud, VIC) – 1:40:07.00
Juan Cruz (Surfers Paradise, QLD) – 1:40:50.00
O40 Women Marathon
Sorelle Nolan (Frankston South, VIC) – 2:00:21.00