Sport
13 March, 2024
Logans to host state titles
THE action will heat up at Warrnambool’s Logans Beach later this month, with the staging of round two of the bodyboarding state titles.
Bodyboarding Victoria committee member Adam Williams said the group was thrilled to host round two of the titles in Warrnambool over the weekend of March 23-24.
The group is hoping to see some of the sport’s leading competitors take to the water at Logan’s Beach.
“The sport of bodyboarding really is growing at a rapid rate and with so many wonderful beaches right here (in Warrnambool) at our doorstep it’s no surprise really,” Williams said.
“I’ve been bodyboarding for about 35 years; I was previously in Newcastle but moved here a few years ago and joined Bodyboarding Victoria.
“There’s now a big appetite for bodyboarding across the nation which is fantastic for the future of the sport but when I look around at the various divisions (juniors, women’s, men’s, masters and grandmasters) there is an apparent lack of youngsters.
“There’s not many below the age of about 35 so that’s something we need to work on.
“It’s a sport that anyone can enjoy, whether for social reasons or for competition. If you can paddle and swim, you can get out and try to catch a wave.”
According to Williams, the more competent swimmers seem to catch a wave relatively quickly and then progress to learning to ‘trim’ and perform other tricks which can earn points in competition.
“What could be better than getting out on a beautiful day and into the surf?
“Having the state titles here in Warrnambool gives everyone the opportunity to come down to the beach and see what bodyboarding is all about – and we hope to see a big crowd here to watch competitors in action and cheer on their favourites.”
The second round of the titles will also allow selection of the Victorian team that will head to Port Macquarie for this year’s nationals (which will form part of the 2024 Festival of Surfing).
“Last year we had about 60 entries so we’re hoping to replicate that,” Williams said.
“We’re also hoping the conditions will be good
and we’ll see some decent waves.”
