More than 140 surfers ranging in age from 11 to 77 are set to converge on Cottesloe Beach this weekend for the 27th Whalebone Longboard Classic, hosted by Surfing WA. The winter tradition will run from Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12, featuring competition across 15 divisions, from under 18s to Grand Legends.
Family-Friendly Event with Live Music and Food Trucks
In addition to the surfing action, the free event will offer food trucks, surf stalls, live music, and a bar celebrating WA surf culture, making it a family-friendly weekend outing.
Georgia Young Aims for 10th Title
All eyes will be on Perth’s nine-time champion Georgia Young in the open women’s division as she chases a 10th Whalebone Longboard Classic title. Young expressed her excitement about returning to the surf break she grew up on and reconnecting with WA’s longboarding community.
“I’m really excited for the Whalebone and nervously checking the forecast daily, hoping for some fun waves that shows off what a fantastic longboard wave Isolators is,” Young said. “I love the community aspect to the event, where we get to catch up with everyone from all over the State, and having it at my local break means a lot of family and friends come down to watch. I’m also looking forward to trying to defend my title. Every year it gets harder and harder with the level of women’s longboarding in WA.”
Young will be joined by a strong field, including Maddeline Barret and Shae Sheridan, both from Dunsborough, and Selina Sterker from East Fremantle.
Jack Medland Defends Open Men’s and Old Mal Titles
In the open men’s longboard division, the focus will be on Jack Medland from Dunsborough, who will defend his titles in the open men’s longboard and Old Mal categories. The Old Mal division requires competitors to ride longboards shaped before 1967.
Medland said while he enjoys competing, the best part was catching up with the community and celebrating the spirit of the event. “The biggest thrill for me is chewing the fat and hearing the stories from the wiser, older salty dogs, while also watching the next generation of juniors come through,” Medland said. “They’re the future of the event, and it’s great to see the stoke being passed on. They’ll be the ones keeping this event charging for many years to come.”
He will defend his title against strong opposition, including Jordan Morris from Hillarys, Evan Ledger from Albany, and Ryan Clark from Dunsborough.
History of the Whalebone Longboard Classic
The Whalebone Longboard Classic’s origins can be traced back to 1998, when Peter Dunn discovered a whale’s rib bone at Isolated Reef. Since then, it has grown into one of Australia’s most iconic grassroots surf events, drawing generations of surfers to Cottesloe Beach each winter.
