Excitement Builds Ahead of 21st Annual Whalebone Longboard Classic

Last year's winner Jack Entwistle will be looking to make it two in a row. - WSL / Curruthers

Some of Australia's best longboard surfers are preparing to cross the Nullarbor next week and compete in the 21st annual Whalebone Longboard Classic at Isolators Reef in Cottesloe.

The Whalebone Classic is the eighth stop on the World Surf League (WSL) World Longboard Tour for 2018 and has attracted an elite field of male and female competitors who will battle it out along Perth's metropolitan coast at an event that oozes good vibes and fun times.

The Whalebone Classic was born in 1998 after local longboarder Peter Dunn, discovered a whale's rib bone immersed in the surf at Isolators and decided to host a longboarding competition in memory of the whale's spirit.

Twenty-one years on, the competition has grown to be one of Western Australia's most iconic longboard events and a much-loved tradition within the local community.

A horde of talented longboarders are set to converge on Cottesloe for the three-day competition, including reigning WSL Whalebone Classic champion Jack Entwistle (NSW), who is excited to return to defend his title.

"I always look forward to be heading to WA to compete in the Whalebone Classic," said Entwistle. "Last year was my first WSL event victory and it would be a dream come true to go back-to-back in 2018. It's always such a fun event I can't wait."

Last years runner-up Dean Bevan (NSW), will join Dane Pioli (NSW), Nic Jones (QLD), and Jared Neal (NSW) in taking on homegrown talent Jack Medland (Marmion) and Anthony Spencer (Trigg Beach) when competition commences next Friday.

Multiple Whalebone Classic champion Georgia Young (Perth) will headline the women's division and will be drawing from her years of experience competing at her local break.

Young is confident the competition will bring good vibes no matter of the conditions.

"Last year I bombed out pretty early and I've been waiting for the opportunity to redeem myself," said Young. "The vibe at the Whalebone is incredible, such a great social atmosphere and it's a real celebration of longboarding in WA."

The Whalebone Classic combines a total of 14 professional and amateur divisions, with close to 100 competitors ranging in age from 11 through to 70 years all set to compete side by side.

Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks is a massive believer in the benefits that the Whalebone Classic brings to the West Australian longboard community.

"The Whalebone Classic is one of WA's longest running surfing events," Majeks said. "This year will mark the event's 21st anniversary, which is a testament to its success and support from the local community. As one of twelve World Surf League sanctioned events globally, the Whalebone is as big as it gets for longboarding in our state, and as always, we expect that it will attract the best surfers at local, national and international level."

The Whalebone Longboard Classic is one of three WA longboard events that combine to form the Greg Laurenson Triple Crown. Sitting alongside the Geraldton Winter Classic and Yallingup Malibu Classic in Yallingup, the Whalebone Classic results will help to determine one of the most prestigious titles in WA longboarding.

The Whalebone Classic is much more that just a surfing competition with an impressive social calendar of events and activities for people to get involved with, as well as onsite catering, surf stalls, live music and much, much more.

For more information on this or any other WA event be sure to check out www.surfingwa.com.au and follow Surfing WA social media platforms for event updates and information.