Jack Medland has claimed his maiden WSL Longboard Tour (LT) event victory today at WA's biggest and most iconic longboarding event, the 22nd Whalebone Longboard Classic.
Finalists Jack Medland and Anthony Spencer with the iconic Whalebone trophy. - WSL / Justin Majeks
Under sunny skies and with thousands of spectators pilling in to soak up the festival style atmosphere on offer at Isolators Reef in Cottesloe. Medland added his name to an impressive honour roll of event champions that includes the likes of WSL World Champions Harley Inglebly and Taylor Jensen.
Medland became the first local winner of the blue-ribbon WSL event since 2009, taking down fellow West Australian Anthony Spencer in a thrilling 30-minute final. In a seesawing final, the pair finished tied on 12.70 (from a possible 20) when the siren sounded and a countback was needed to determine the winner. Medland's highest score of 7.00 (from a possible 10) topping Spencer's number of 6.40 (from a possible 10), making for a truly memorable end to three-days of classic longboarding surfing off Cottesloe.
"I'm super stoked to have won, we both know the wave as well as each other and it was down to the last straw," said Medland. "Taking it out on the home break is ideal, and the surfers who have won here in the past are the guys I'm inspired to be like."
Jack Medland. - WSL / Justin Majeks
Spencer feel painstakingly short of the getting the score he required, scratching into a wave with just seconds remaining in the final. Despite two strong outside turns, Spencer couldn't complete his wave and had to settle for a runner-up finish in his first WSL Longboard final.
"We always seem to have a really close one and we have a good rivalry," said Spencer. "I'm stoked with the result and to get some cash to help me get through to the next events in Spain and New York and some confidence as well."
Anthony Spencer. - WSL / Justin Majeks
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-two years on, the competition has grown to be one of Australia's most iconic longboard events and a much-loved tradition within the local community.
Surfing Western Australia Contest Director Justin Majeks was ecstatic with the success of this year's Whalebone Longboard Classic and thrilled to see the event continue to grown year upon year.
"I'm thrilled for our two local event champions Georgia Young and Jack Medland," said Majeks. "I'd like to thanks everyone who competed and supported this iconic and much loved event."
Finals Day Crowd. - WSL / Justin Majeks
The 2019 Whalebone Classic brought together over 130 professional and amateur longboarders, providing a true festival atmosphere that spread a whole bunch of stoke across three-action packed days.
Jack Medland Claims Maiden WSL Longboard Tour Victory at Whalebone Classic
WSL
Jack Medland has claimed his maiden WSL Longboard Tour (LT) event victory today at WA's biggest and most iconic longboarding event, the 22nd Whalebone Longboard Classic.
Under sunny skies and with thousands of spectators pilling in to soak up the festival style atmosphere on offer at Isolators Reef in Cottesloe. Medland added his name to an impressive honour roll of event champions that includes the likes of WSL World Champions Harley Inglebly and Taylor Jensen.
Medland became the first local winner of the blue-ribbon WSL event since 2009, taking down fellow West Australian Anthony Spencer in a thrilling 30-minute final. In a seesawing final, the pair finished tied on 12.70 (from a possible 20) when the siren sounded and a countback was needed to determine the winner. Medland's highest score of 7.00 (from a possible 10) topping Spencer's number of 6.40 (from a possible 10), making for a truly memorable end to three-days of classic longboarding surfing off Cottesloe.
"I'm super stoked to have won, we both know the wave as well as each other and it was down to the last straw," said Medland. "Taking it out on the home break is ideal, and the surfers who have won here in the past are the guys I'm inspired to be like."
Spencer feel painstakingly short of the getting the score he required, scratching into a wave with just seconds remaining in the final. Despite two strong outside turns, Spencer couldn't complete his wave and had to settle for a runner-up finish in his first WSL Longboard final.
"We always seem to have a really close one and we have a good rivalry," said Spencer. "I'm stoked with the result and to get some cash to help me get through to the next events in Spain and New York and some confidence as well."
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-two years on, the competition has grown to be one of Australia's most iconic longboard events and a much-loved tradition within the local community.
Surfing Western Australia Contest Director Justin Majeks was ecstatic with the success of this year's Whalebone Longboard Classic and thrilled to see the event continue to grown year upon year.
"I'm thrilled for our two local event champions Georgia Young and Jack Medland," said Majeks. "I'd like to thanks everyone who competed and supported this iconic and much loved event."
The 2019 Whalebone Classic brought together over 130 professional and amateur longboarders, providing a true festival atmosphere that spread a whole bunch of stoke across three-action packed days.
Whalebone Classic
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