Surfing Victoria

Australian Indigenous Titles - Day 1

Monday, 28 May 2012

Monday May 28 2012: Bells Beach Victoria, Australia: Solid 2m surf provided great conditions for Australia’s best Indigenous surfers as quarter finalists were decided at the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles.

With relatively clean conditions high scores were frequent and the standout surfer was Soli Bailey (Byron Bay) who posted both the highest single wave score of a 9.7 and later in the day the highest heat tally of the day of 17.77.

“It’s exciting to surf in such a great event like this and to score good solid waves is really good – It’s cold but we have our winter wetsuits and we’re all just enjoying the great waves – It’s a special title to win and I’ll do my best but it’s a strong field here so whoever wins will need to be right at the top of their game on finals day tomorrow.”

Joe Haddon (Foster/Mid North Coast NSW) was also in great form today posting high scores on his way to winning rounds one and two along with Central Coast NSW surfer Russ Molony and Tweed Heads surfer Dale Richards with all three easily qualifying for the quarter finals.

The day’s most impressive effort may have come from 46 year-old stalwart of the sport Robbie Page (Wollongong) who scored multiple excellent 8 point plus ride to win through to the quarter’s.

“I’ve surfed Bells for 12 years as a full time professional surfer and I could never score excellent 8 point plus rides like today and I’ve finally worked out why – you need a slightly longer board here to give more drive, it’s easy but I wish I’d have known this 20 years ago” laughed Page.

The former Pipeline Master Champion is excited about tomorrow’s finals saying, “ It’s such a special event and so good to highlight the indigenous surfing talent in Australia – There’s been big scores all day and Indigenous surfing is very strong and healthy here and Bells Beach is just an incredibly relevant location to hold this event – Clean and excellent waves forecast tomorrow and we’ll be in for a fantastic final!”

Tomorrow's event will begin at 9:00am with the final around 11am

Digital Images and newsfeeds will be available throughout the event.