TWENTY-NINE of Victoria’s best bodyboard and shortboard surfers will head to New South Wales this week as the Australian Surf Championships continue at URBNSURF and Wollongong.
The Australian Bodyboard Titles will be held at URBNSURF Sydney, the first time ever in a wave pool, on August 21 and 22.
Bodyboarding Victoria President Adam Williams is looking forward to seeing the progression of the sport in a new venue.
"There’s no denying that taking Nationals into a wave pool represents a shift from traditional ocean-based competition. The connection to the ocean is a powerful and integral part of wave riding and it’s completely valid that some see this as a step away from that connection.
“But this isn’t about replacing the ocean, it’s about exploring how new technology fits into our sport. Wave pools are still new in the grand scheme of wave riding, and we’re all learning how they can complement what we do in the ocean.
“For us at Bodyboarding Victoria, this is about progression and about embracing innovation while still respecting where we’ve come from. That’s why we chose to run the third round of our 2025 State Titles at URBNSURF Melbourne. It was an opportunity to test what this kind of environment offers our sport and how it might play a role in its future. We’re proud to be part of this next step and excited to help shape the way wave riding evolves"
The Australian Shortboard Titles will be held from August 26th - 31st in Wollongong.
Leading the team in 2025 will be current state open champions and sibling duo Lucas and Sara Hickson (Rye). They will be joined by Harry de Roth (Phillip Island), Sophie Fletcher (Cape Woolamai) and Jarvis Cininas (Dalyston).
“Congratulations to all Victorians who have been selected as part of the 2025 Victorian State Team” said Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson.
“We have a fantastic team heading to NSW for the Bodyboard and Shortboard Titles and we look forward to following their results over the events.”
Full details on the event and live scores can be found at australiansurfchampionships.com
Full Victorian State Team:
SHORTBOARD
Open Men
Lucas Hickson (Rye)
Harry De Roth (Phillip Island)
Ocean Wright (Kilcunda)
Open Women
Sara Hickson (Rye)
Sarsha Pancic (Blairgowrie)
Sophie Fletcher (Cape Woolamai)
Masters Men (O30)
Jarvis Cininas (Dalyston)
Tim Birnie (Jan Juc)
Grand Masters Men (O40)
Luke Beerling (Dromana)
Tim Birnie (Jan Juc)
Grand Masters Women (O40)
Tiffany Riggs (Torquay)
Clare Eldridge (Portland)
Rebecca Morgan (Torquay)
Grand Kahunas Men (O50)
Benjamin Pitts (Rye)
Craig Lloyd (Armstrong Creek)
Dukes Men (O55)
Craig Lloyd (Armstrong Creek)
Stuart Engel (Portland)
Grand Dukes Men (O60)
Rowan Sapwell (Torquay)
Andrew Dell (St. Andrews Beach)
Legends (O65)
Kim Shannon (Melbourne)
Joe Cervi (Rye)
Mark Loyd (Sandringham)
BODYBOARD
Open Men
Alex Ashcroft (Rye)
Corey Daglish (Northcote)
Mark Britten (Wantirna)
Chris Watson (Rosebud)
Open Women
Lyndall Jucker (Hampton East)
Masters Men (O35)
Mark Britten (Wantirna)
Kahunas Men (O45)
Kyle Anderson (Frankston)
Roger Cardenas (Middle Park)
Open Drop Knee Men
Dane Pope (Armstrong Creek)
Adam Williams (Warrnambool)
