Although the waves were small, they were plentiful and weather conditions remained favourable for the event with some top level surfing being produced across sixteen categories.

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Surfers from eleven-years-old all the way to 75 battled it out over three days with the event culminating in trophy presentations at Club Scotts on Sunday afternoon.

“For me the highlight of this year’s event was the camaraderie among the surfers who, although competing against each other, were so supportive and helpful toward one another,” Loggerheads Malibu Club president Barry Jagoe told News Of The Area.

“For example, in the Log category, the surfer that came second lent his board to another surfer in his event so he could go on and win.

“Another surfer, Norm Snow from Evans Head, won a high quality longboard in our charity raffle then donated the board back to our club so we could raffle it again next year and raise more money for the local charities we support.”

In addition to surfers from all over Australia competing in the classic, a dedicated group of longboard surfers from New Zealand came across the ditch to give the event a truly international flavour.

Motti Proctor of the Kiwi contingent told News Of The Area, “We bring a small surf team of four to events like this, thanks to our sponsor, Brett Munro of Munro Surfboards, as we know it supports small communities, keeps us youthful and fit and helps us spread what the Hawaiians call the Aloha Spirit.”

With the Loggerheads Malibu Classic traditionally taking place on the weekend following the July school holidays, local businesses enjoyed an ‘out of season’ influx of customers.

Manager of the Scotts Head Reflections Holiday Park, Jacki Middleton added, “As Scotts Head falls very quiet after the school holidays it is lovely to have so many wonderful visitors here for the Classic, who always put some life back into the place and give local businesses a little shot in the arm.”

Jacki also pointed out that a testament to the conduct of the Classic and the facilities available to visitors coming to Scotts Head is the number of people who have already booked accommodation at Reflections for the 39th Loggerheads Malibu Classic in 2025.

Event organisers expressed their gratitude to the Lions Club of Nambucca Heads who had their food van on site to provide hot food to competitors and visitors, and even had some young people from ShoreTrack come along to lend a hand while learning new skills.

Kevin Morrison from the Nambucca Heads Surf Lifesaving Club provided water safety and surf rescue support for the duration of the event and his services were funded through sponsorship from Club Scotts.

Kevin donated the payment for his services to the Nambucca Heads SLSC.

1st place winners at the classic this year were:

Sarah Buls in the Club Scotts Ladies Open, Danny Bond in the Local Liquor Scotts Head Over 70s Mens, John Scholton in the Barry Bennett Surfboards Over 65 Mens, Heather De in the Catalyst Surfboards Over 35 Ladies, Grant Ferguson in the Galleria CC Ember and Time Open Logs, Jayden Fletcher in the Surf N Raks Junior Mens, Tim Brown in the Ocean and Earth Over 40s Mens, Justin Bevan in the Reflections Holiday Park Over 50s Mens, Manda Godfrey in the Club Scotts Over 50s Ladies, Wayne Offner in the Munro Surfboards Over 60s Mens, Linken Coram in the Smorgasboarder Magazine Mystery Event, Marlenn Guihot in the Burford Blanks 9ft Open, Justin Bevan in the Alofa Sands Surf Club Cafe Over 50s Logs, Tatum Benoit in the Surf N Raks Junior Ladies and Josh Dunn in the Golden Sands Tavern Old Mal.

The classic has long been a favourite event for families and this year’s Family Achievement Award went to father and son Mark ‘Merc’ Fuller and Joel Parkhouse who both surfed superbly in their respective categories.

By Mick BIRTLES