Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
More than 140 surfers aged from 11 to 77 are set to hit the waves at Cottesloe Beach this weekend for the 27th Whalebone Longboard Classic.
Hosted by Surfing WA, the winter tradition has surfers compete across 15 divisions, from under 18s to Grand Legends, from Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12.
In addition to the surfing action, the family-friendly free event will feature food trucks, surf stalls, live music and a bar celebrating WA surf culture.
All eyes will be on Perth’s nine-time champion Georgia Young in the open women’s division as she chases a 10th Whalebone Longboard Classic title.
Young said she was excited to return to the surf break she grew up on and reconnect with WA’s longboarding community.
“I’m really excited for the Whalebone and nervously checking the forecast daily, hoping for some fun waves that shows off what a fantastic longboard wave Isolators is,” Young said.
“I love the community aspect to the event, where we get to catch up with everyone from all over the State, and having it at my local break means a lot of family and friends come down to watch.
“I’m also looking forward to trying to defend my title. Every year it gets harder and harder with the level of women’s longboarding in WA.”
She will be joined by a strong field, including Maddeline Barret and Shae Sheridan, both from Dunsborough, and Selina Sterker from East Fremantle.
In the open men’s longboard division, the focus will be on Jack Medland from Dunsborough, who will be defending his titles in the open men’s longboard and Old Mal categories.
The Old Mal division requires competitors to ride longboards shaped before 1967.
Medland said while he enjoys competing, the best part was catching up with the community and celebrating the spirit of the event.
“The biggest thrill for me is chewing the fat and hearing the stories from the wiser, older salty dogs, while also watching the next generation of juniors come through,” Medland said.
“They’re the future of the event, and it’s great to see the stoke being passed on. They’ll be the ones keeping this event charging for many years to come.”
He will defend his title against strong opposition, including Jordan Morris from Hillarys, Evan Ledger from Albany and Ryan Clark from Dunsborough.
The Whalebone Longboard Classic’s origins can be traced back to 1998, when Peter Dunn discovered a whale’s rib bone at Isolated Reef. Since then, it has grown into one of Australia’s most iconic grassroots surf events.
