Phillip Island Rhylee Duell took out the Under 16 category at the Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Surf Titles held at Urquhart Bluff on the Great Ocean Road last weekend (February 5 and 6).
More than 50 indigenous surfers from across the state gathered to celebrate the 24th annual event which brings together Indigenous communities in a fun weekend of surfing and indigenous culture.
The event was opened on Saturday by Wadawurrung Elder Corrina Eccles and cleansed with a traditional smoking and mixing of the water’s ceremony.
Competition followed and participants were greeted with small surf and onshore winds. With the assistance of surf coaches and volunteers in the water, the junior competitive divisions were finalised, followed by Open Women and Masters Women.
The Tag Team event rounded out the day with Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC) taking first place from Wadawurrung, CFMEU and Surfing Victoria.
Tricky conditions met competitors on the Sunday, for the Open Men’s and Masters Men. Rhys Collins from Red Hill was victorious, taking out both divisions respectively. The Open Women's division was claimed by Linley Hurrell (Torquay) with Corrinna Eccles (Torquay) victorious in the Masters Women’s.
Rhys and Linley will go on to represent the Victorian Indigenous community after gaining a wildcard into the 2022 Rip Curl Pro Trials at Bells Beach.
The Surfing Victoria Encouragement Award winners of a surfboard each, were Ruby Boagers (Armstrong Creek) and Aiden Tournier (Geelong).
The Determination Award was taken out by Hunter Sisic (Ballarat).
Category Winners:
U/8 Mixed: Millie Hughes (Geelong)
U/10 Girls: May Marini (Ballarat)
U/10 Boys: Arlee Livesey (Armstrong Creek)
U/13 Girls: Grace Tournier (Geelong)
U/13 Boys: Levi Marini (Ballarat)
U/16 Girls: Alicia Wait (Ballarat)
U/16 Boys: Rylee Duell (Phillip Island)
U/18 Girls: Indra Purcell (MacArthur)
U/18 Boys: Rameka Waiomio (Mill Park)
Open Women: Linley Hurrell (Torquay)
Open Men: Rhys Collins (Point Leo)
Masters Women: Corrina Eccles (Torquay)
Masters Men: Rhys Collins (Point Leo)