AVA Holland (Mornington Peninsula) and Steve Noble (Cape Paterson) have been crowned 2024 Victorian Open Champions at Gunnamatta.
In great waves and perfect sunshine, both surfers were the in-form surfers at the open ocean beach break and will now get a shot at a spot in the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach with both surfers earning an allocation into the Trials event to be held next weekend.
Looking comfortable at home, Holland was able to cruise to victory locking in the highest heat total of the day in the Women's draw, a 12.83 to seal the win and etch her name in the trophy alongside other legends of the sport such as Gail Couper, Nikki van Dijk and India Robinson.
"I’ve never won a state title before, so I’m pretty stoked," said Holland.
"I’m excited to get a chance to surf in the Rip Curl Pro Trials next week. Hopefully Bells is good, and I get to surf it with only a few others out!"
Finishing in second was Sophie Fletcher (Phillip Island) who finished on 9.87 points. Emily McGettigan (Torquay) finished in third on 8.67 points and Sophie Wilkinson (Mornington Peninsula) finished in fourth on 8.00 points.
Noble, has returned to state competition in the last 12 months and has not missed a step claiming his first Open State Title in 9 years.
Although not claiming the round win at Gunnamatta, he finished with enough ranking points over the three-event series to claim his third title.
"This is the best one for sure," said Noble.
"You are surfing against guys who are in their 20s, so the amount of extra effort you have to put in to be at their level I’m just thankful I have the opportunity to be here."
Breaking through for his first ever State Round win was Joel Kerr (Anglesea), who progressed under the radar throughout the day before finishing on top in the final.
Kerr finished on a heat total of 11.60 points, narrowly ahead of Jake Pancic (Mornington Peninsula) who finished in second on 11.23 points.
Finishing in third was Noah Clifford (Jan Juc, 8.17 points) with Steve Noble in fourth.
The weekend also saw the Victorian Teams Titles presented by Coffey Testing take place on Saturday.
Perennial favourites Torquay once again came out on top in the mixed division showing the depth of their club, fielding a team of surfers entirely different to the team that finished in the final at the Australian Boardriders Battle last week in Queensland.
In the Women's and Junior team divisions, it was local club Peninsula who showed their strength taking out both divisions and proving that they will be a force to be reckoned with in coming years.
Full results from both events can be found online at www.liveheats.com/surfingvictoria
The Victorian Teams Titles is presented by Coffey Testing and supported by supported by Danny Green’s Coward Punch Campaign, VicRoads Community Safety Grants, Cancer Council Sunscreen and Surfing Victoria.
The Victorian Open Series is supported by Park Lane Holiday Parks, Danny Green’s Coward Punch Campaign, Cancer Council Sunscreen, earLAB and Surfing Victoria.
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