San Diego's Taylor Jensen coming off the top during the final - WSL / Woolacott
Former World Longboard Champions Taylor Jensen (USA) and Chelsea Williams (AUS) have claimed victory at the 19th annual Whalebone Classic, a World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event held at Isolators Reef off Cottesloe.
Despite cold and testing conditions, the third and final day was a true celebration of longboarding on a local, national and international stage.
Taylor Jensen proved unstoppable in the 25-minute men's Final, claiming his second consecutive Whalebone Classic title, his third overall.
Harley Ingleby congratulates Jensen after the pair faced off in their second final of the 2016 LQS season - WSL / Woolacott
The 2x World Champion Jensen proved his competition class, defeating another former World Champion Harley Ingleby (AUS) in a rematch of the Australian Open of Longboarding final in Kingscliff, NSW earlier this year.
In a wave-starved final, Jensen mixed elegant footwork and powerful rail maneuvers, opening with an excellent score of 9.00 (from a possible 10) and kept the momentum for the rest of the Final.
Jensen scored a back up 7.50 to finish on a combined total of 16.50 (from a possible 20) and confirm place as one of the best performers ever at the Whalebone.
Taylor Jensen hanging 10 - WSL / Woolacott
"It's been the most interesting surf conditions I think I've ever experienced for an event," said Jensen. "I got lucky with the waves I found and I made the made them count."
"I feel right at home in these sort of conditions, they're really similar to the waves I grew up surfing in California. WA has been a happy hunting ground for me and I'm stoked to take the win."
Notwithstanding a great 7.25 (from a possible 10) ride, Harley Ingleby was left chasing a near perfect 9.26 to snatch the lead when the siren sounded.
The always stylish Ingleby hacking in the final - WSL / Woolacott
"It was a real struggle out there, I only caught three waves and just didn't have the opportunity to answer back," said Ingleby. "It was probably the slowest heat of the whole event, but it's been another great Whalebone Classic."
The women's LQS final was an all-Queensland affair, with Chelsea Williams (AUS) taking on Kathryn Hughes (AUS).
Williams linked together the best waves of the final, posting a heat high 6.50 (from a possible 10), finishing with on a two-wave combined total of 11.75 (from a possible 20).
Chelsea Williams coming off the bottom on her way to taking out the 2016 Whalebone Classic in her first appearance at the event - WSL / Woolacott
"I found it really hard out there," said Williams. "I'm stoked to take the win of course, but I've really had to earn this one."
"It's my first time here to the Whalebone Classic and WA has most definitely lived up to it's reputation of the ‘wild west.' The weather has been so different from what I'm used to back home."
Kathryn Hughes was unable to find a wave of any significance and was left chasing an 8.76 for the win.
"I was little embarrassed with how I surfed to be honest," said Hughes. "I'm happy to have made the Final and beat the defending champion Georgia Young yesterday, and to get into the Final."
A strong Sunday crowd was on hand to soak up the vibrant atmosphere and inclusive vibe of longboarding in Western Australia.
The Isolators line-up at Cottesloe beach, South of Perth in Western Australia - WSL / Woolacott
Taylor Jensen, Chelsea Williams Win Whalebone Classic LQS
WSL
Former World Longboard Champions Taylor Jensen (USA) and Chelsea Williams (AUS) have claimed victory at the 19th annual Whalebone Classic, a World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event held at Isolators Reef off Cottesloe.
Despite cold and testing conditions, the third and final day was a true celebration of longboarding on a local, national and international stage.
Taylor Jensen proved unstoppable in the 25-minute men's Final, claiming his second consecutive Whalebone Classic title, his third overall.
The 2x World Champion Jensen proved his competition class, defeating another former World Champion Harley Ingleby (AUS) in a rematch of the Australian Open of Longboarding final in Kingscliff, NSW earlier this year.
In a wave-starved final, Jensen mixed elegant footwork and powerful rail maneuvers, opening with an excellent score of 9.00 (from a possible 10) and kept the momentum for the rest of the Final.
Jensen scored a back up 7.50 to finish on a combined total of 16.50 (from a possible 20) and confirm place as one of the best performers ever at the Whalebone.
"It's been the most interesting surf conditions I think I've ever experienced for an event," said Jensen. "I got lucky with the waves I found and I made the made them count."
"I feel right at home in these sort of conditions, they're really similar to the waves I grew up surfing in California. WA has been a happy hunting ground for me and I'm stoked to take the win."
Notwithstanding a great 7.25 (from a possible 10) ride, Harley Ingleby was left chasing a near perfect 9.26 to snatch the lead when the siren sounded.
"It was a real struggle out there, I only caught three waves and just didn't have the opportunity to answer back," said Ingleby. "It was probably the slowest heat of the whole event, but it's been another great Whalebone Classic."
The women's LQS final was an all-Queensland affair, with Chelsea Williams (AUS) taking on Kathryn Hughes (AUS).
Williams linked together the best waves of the final, posting a heat high 6.50 (from a possible 10), finishing with on a two-wave combined total of 11.75 (from a possible 20).
"I found it really hard out there," said Williams. "I'm stoked to take the win of course, but I've really had to earn this one."
"It's my first time here to the Whalebone Classic and WA has most definitely lived up to it's reputation of the ‘wild west.' The weather has been so different from what I'm used to back home."
Kathryn Hughes was unable to find a wave of any significance and was left chasing an 8.76 for the win.
"I was little embarrassed with how I surfed to be honest," said Hughes. "I'm happy to have made the Final and beat the defending champion Georgia Young yesterday, and to get into the Final."
A strong Sunday crowd was on hand to soak up the vibrant atmosphere and inclusive vibe of longboarding in Western Australia.
Chelsea Williams
A heated day of competition sends the reigning World Champ home early at the Kumul World Longboard Championships.
Competition unfolds in amazing surf at the iconic pointbreak and advances through the rounds for both men and women on Day 3.
Taylor Jensen and Chelsea Williams will look to relive their former glory when they return to Hainan in the South China Sea this December.
Rounds 2 and 3 and the Quarterfinals finished, leaving only four of the world's best to battle it out.
2014 WLC Chelsea Williams goes for two in a row in at this year's Jeep World Longboard Championship.
Whalebone Classic
Optimum conditions on the horizon for the Final day of the Whalebone Classic LQS event at Perth's Cottesloe Beach.
Unruly swell and strong onshore winds batter Cottesloe on the opening day of Australasia's final LQS for 2016.
The final LQS event of the Australasian season is set to turn Cottesloe Beach into a battleground as hungry competitors look to book a spot
Taylor Jensen and Georgia Young will return to Perth's iconic Cottesloe Beach for the 19th Whalebone Classic.