The cream of Indigenous surfers in the country is set to gather at the famous and culturally sacred site of Bells Beach for the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles starting on Monday.
The event is in its third year after a 16-year hiatus and has turned into a showcase of the elite Indigenous surfers in the country.
Surfing Victoria Indigenous aquatic manager and contest director, Steve Parker, is ecstatic to be holding the event at Bells Beach once again.
‘Having the event at Bells Beach is incredible for all Indigenous surfers. The event is coming into its third year now and is starting to make a mark around the country with our Indigenous communities,’ says Parker.
‘This year should have some really good surfing with Victorian Indigenous Champion Jordie Campbell competing and will have the advantage of local knowledge over the interstate competitors.’
Some of the surfers competing this year include:
– 2012 Australian Indigenous Champion, Russel Molony (Central Coast, NSW)
– WQS surfer Simon Knox (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
– 2014 Victorian Indigenous Surfing Champion, Jordie Campbell (Sandy Point, VIC)
– 2013 Australian Indigenous Champion, Joe Haddon (Forster, NSW)
The event will kick off with an opening ceremony at Bells Beach including a traditional welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by the local Indigenous community.
The opening ceremony will commence at Bells Beach at 4pm with surfers available for media interviews after the ceremony.
The event can be followed online at indigenous.prosurfinglive.com.
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