THE Australian MotoGP circus might have left town, but it’s been replaced by yet another Australian championship event this week, the Australian SUP Titles, officially launched on Tuesday night, but with competition starting at Phillip Island on Wednesday, October 22.
And as is often the case with surfing competitions “you should have been here yesterday!”
On Tuesday, early arrivals enjoyed ideal conditions on the western side of Phillip Island, as light east to northeast winds of around 15 to 20 km/h, a decent swell and daytime temperatures between 18 and 22 provided the perfect warm-up.
But all that was set to change with the wind forecast to swing strongly to the south-west on Wednesday, with gale force winds off the local coast and at rare “storm force” wind speeds of the East Gippsland coast. The wind is expected to moderate but will continue to blow from the south-west limiting choices for SUP event organisers.
One of those making the big trip down to Phillip Island and getting in some welcome practice at Right Point near Cat Bay on Tuesday was Marty Cole of Crescent Head north of Port Macquarie.
“I did alright last year and hope I can do it again,” said Cole, winner of the Open 10-foot Division last year.
The 1432km trip, lasting 16 hours one way, is about average for competitors from all of the eastern states and some from South Australia and Western Australia.
According to Surfing Victoria, the event will see the country’s best SUP surfers and racers compete for a spot in the National Team heading to the ISA World SUP Championships.
Locals will have plenty to cheer about too with Surfing Victoria confirming that the Victorian SUP State Team will compete at the Australian titles this week on Phillip Island.
“We are thrilled to see some incredible Victorian SUP surfers and racers represent Victoria again this year” said Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson.
“Phillip Island has not only some incredible waves, but also amazing long distance paddle courses. We are looking forward to seeing the Victorian Team compete and do the state proud!”
Headlining the 2025 state team is multiple Victorian Champion Matt Takle (Torquay) who will feel right at home in the powerful waves and strong winds on Phillip Island, as well as 2024 Australian Champion Gwen Carbone (Ocean Grove) who will be back to defend her title in the Over 50 Women division.
The championship event was launched by First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria reserve member Robert Ogden of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation who welcomed the surfers to Millowl, Phillip Island, saying that the surfing fraternity had a special relationship with Victoria’s indigenous people for the way they looked after the oceans for whales and other sea creatures.
“This place Millowl is a special place for the Yallock Bullock people, a clan of the Boonwurrung people and part of the Kulin nation, who came here for the mutton birds and to enjoy the beaches and beautiful surrounds 25,000 to 30,000 years ago, just as you people are coming here this week as well, so wominjeka, welcome.”
Mayor of the Bass Coast Shire Council, Cr Rochelle Halstead also welcomed the surfers to the area, announcing that the council had secured the event for another year, in 2026.
“It’s great to see another major event here, coming off the back of the MotoGP last weekend, to keep the momentum going,” said Cr Halstead.
“Phillip Island is a premier surfing location also hosting the 2025 Rip Curl GromSearch event earlier this month,” she said.
Event Director, Max Wells of Surfing Victoria, supported Mayor Halstead’s remarks, also urging the visitors to be mindful of the sensitive nature of the local coast and its resident native animals, urging them to stick to tracks and stay out of the dunes.
Staying out of the dunes shouldn’t be a problem but finding suitable location for the event with the weather turning against the event, well, that’s another issue.
The Victorian SUP State Team is supported by Surfing Victoria and SUP VIC and includes the following:
Surfing Open Men: Matt Takle (Torquay), Drew McLennan (Brighton), Steve Toy (Kingsville), Warren Woods (Edithvale). Over 40 Women: Lucy Bell (Sandringham). Over 40 Men: Steve Toy (Kingsville), Ben Craddock (Grovedale), Warren Woods (Edithvale). Over 50 Men: Brendan Ryan (Port Campbell), Noel Hutchinson (Cape Schanck), Sam Hodder (Dromana). Over 50 Women: Gwen Carbone (Ocean Grove). Over 60 Men: John Takle (Torquay), Damien Quinlan (Highett), Noel Hutchinson (Cape Schanck). Under 18 Girls: Tulleah Close (Jan Juc), Willa Webb (Jan Juc). 9ft SUP Open Men: Liam McCafferty (McCrae), Ben Craddock (Grovedale), Drew McLennan (Brighton), Matt Takle (Torquay). 9ft SUP Over 40 Women: Lucy Bell (Sandringham). 9ft SUP Over 50 Men: Liam McCafferty (McCrae), Mark Harrop (Beaumauris), Sam Hodder (Dromana), Brendan Ryan (Port Campbell). 9ft SUP Over 60 Men: John Takle (Torquay), Damien Quinlan (Highett). Marathon Open Men: Daniel Dodge (Crib Point), Nathan Pearse (Frankston South). Open Women: Stephanie Sievers (Richmond). Over 40 Men: Warwick Lee (Cheltenham). Over 40 Women: Anita Pither (Churchill). Over 50 Open: Dave Warner (Moe), Mark Harrop (Beaumaris). Technical Race Open Men: Daniel Dodge (Crib Point). Open Over 50: Dave Warner (Moe), Mark Harrop (Beaumaris). Open Women: Stephanie Sievers (Richmond). Over 40 Men: Warwick Lee (Cheltenham). Over 40 Women: Anita Pither (Churchill).
The 2025 Australian SUP Titles is supported by Jim Beam, Thermos, Everything Fleet, Bass Coast Shire Council, Surfing Victoria and Surfers For Climate.
