Wollongong Back-to-Back: Locals Win, Then Land Another Major Event
If Sunday felt like a homecoming party on the Illawarra, Monday turned it into a victory lap. Bulli’s Jed Ashton dropped a heat total of 15.17 at Sandon Point to snatch the open men’s crown at the Australian Shortboard Titles, leaving Eden Hasson 4.74 points in his whitewash. Ashton’s ride combo—an 8.67 and a tidy 6.50—was textbook local knowledge, threaded through the tricky inside section that most outsiders misread.
Before the champagne even went flat, Surfing Australia announced the 2025 Australian Junior Surfing Titles are moving from South Australia’s algal-bloom-cursed Fleurieu Peninsula to, you guessed it, Wollongong. Over 250 frothing juniors will descend November 28 – December 5, swapping reef boots for beach breaks and scoring free intel from a town that just proved it breeds champions.
Gerroa’s Dean Bowen added extra stoke by taking the Men’s Over 30s, grinning about “sleeping in my own bed while winning an Aussie title.” Want every score and behind-the-lens moment? Catch the full recap over at Illawarra Mercury.