IOLC dominates WA Longboard Championships results

The Indian Ocean Longboard Club (IOLC) celebrated some huge results at last week’s WA Longboard Championships, where a large group of South West surfers made the journey south to compete in the iconic event, which is held near the town of Denmark.

With glassy, clean conditions on Saturday and heavy, blown-out surf on Sunday, competitors were tested across the full range of elements.

Rising to the occasion were several members from IOLC who delivered a dominant show-producing eight State Champions across the nine divisions they competed in.

Jack Medland claimed the Open Men’s Longboard division, scoring near-perfect waves in the trickiest of conditions, taking out the State Title ahead of IOLC President Evan Ledger, who placed second, and fellow club competitor Ryan Clark in third.

The Open Women’s division saw a strong performance from Shae Sheridan, who pushed through a two-final heat to place fourth among formidable women such as the defending state champion, Maddie Barett.

Paul Burke emerged as a standout competitor, winning both the Over 40 and Over 50 Men’s Longboard divisions.

His back-to-back titles showcased not only his experience but his adaptability across the weekend’s changing conditions-his performance was so memorable that it even earned him a nickname among the spectators for his brave positioning in the water, scoring excellent waves off of “Burke’s bombie.”

In the Over 40 Women’s Longboard, Shae Sheridan returned to the water with grit and grace to claim the State Title.

2023 National Champion Amanda Curley added to the club’s golden run by taking out the State Title in the Over 50 Women’s division.

The IOLC also swept through the senior divisions with Doug Carruthers securing the top spot in the Over 60 Men’s Longboard, Bill Gibson winning the Over 65 Men’s division, and John Haddow taking out the Over 70 Men’s Longboard title.

John stunned the judges with a memorable and passionate performance, delivering a heartfelt dedication after claiming his win.

Thanks to progression judging support from Surfing Australia’s New Wave of Female Boardriders grant, IOLC Vice President Barbara Putica stepped into the judging panel for her first WA Longboard Championships – further cementing IOLC’s growing female presence both in and out of the water.

State champions crowned over the weekend will have the opportunity to compete at the National Longboard Titles in Cabarita, NSW, between 22-27 July.

With a stellar weekend behind them, IOLC’s attention now turns to the 26th annual Whalebone Longboard Classic in Cottesloe this July and the 41st annual Yallingup Malibu classic in December.

IOLC is still welcoming new members and sponsors for 2025.

Follow the club’s socials (@indianoceanlongboardclub) to stay tuned for upcoming club rounds and special events.