Samantha Vanderford continues good form with win at Laval Whalebone Classic

Mid West surfer Samantha Vanderford continued her good form on the longboard as she won the over 50s category at the 24th Whalebone Longboard Classic at Cottesloe.

The Whalebone Classic is one of the most iconic longboard events on the calendar, forming part of the triple crown along with Geraldton’s Winter Classic and Yallingup’s Malibu Classic.

Georgia Young (Perth) and Jock Bahen (Cowaramup) secured the blue ribbon open women’s and open men’s divisions respectively.

Vanderford, from Greenhead, won the hotly contested over-50 women’s division, cracking the 20-point mark with a combined total of 24.8, well clear of East Fremantle’s Belinda Le Grice on 17.30.

It is Vanderford’s second high-profile win after her success at the WA Longboard & Logger Championships back in May.

Surfing Western Australia events manger Justin Majeks was ecstatic with the success of this year’s Whalebone Longboard Classic and the spirit of the longboarding community in Western Australia.

“Well done to all our champions, everyone who surfed, everyone who helped and we can’t wait to celebrate the 25th Whalebone Longboard Classic in 2024,” he said.

“This is a truly special event that means a lot to such a large number of people and can’t thank them all enough.”