Tasmania’s West Coast turned on classic conditions for the 51st Rip Curl West Coast Classic, presented by Sea FM Burnie, with clean offshore winds and pumping surf delivering an epic finish to the Easter long weekend.
Held from April 3–5 across Green Point Beach, Nettley Bay and Lighthouse Beach, the event attracted competitors from across Tasmania and interstate, reinforcing its reputation as one of Australia’s longest-running and premier surfing competitions.
The event also forms part of the Surfing Australia National Junior Rankings, drawing some of the country’s best junior surfers to Tasmania to compete for valuable ranking points and adding further depth to an already strong field.
In true West Coast fashion, the swell arrived for finals day at Lighthouse Beach, providing ideal conditions for high-performance surfing across all divisions.
Western Australia’s Gracie Carter claimed the Open Women’s title, while New South Wales surfer Joe Rocco Sommerville took out the Open Men’s crown after a series of highly competitive heats.
Tasmanian surfers Tom Roberts and Sienna Lawrence kept the pressure on throughout the finals, both delivering standout performances and pushing the eventual champions all the way.
Among the highlights of the event were perfect 10-point rides from Coby O’Day and Tasmania’s Jy Johannesen. O’Day also recorded the highest-scoring female heat of the competition, showcasing the exceptional standard of surfing on display throughout the weekend.
The success of the event was made possible by the continued support of competitors, volunteers, sponsors and the local community, all of whom contribute to making the Rip Curl West Coast Classic one of the premier events on the Australian surfing calendar.
Now in its 51st year, the Rip Curl West Coast Classic remains a cornerstone of Australian surfing and a highlight of Tasmania’s sporting calendar, continuing to attract top talent and deliver memorable moments on the state’s rugged West Coast.
