BONDI BEACH, NEW SOUTH WALES (Sunday 12 November, 2023) – Luke Brumby (North Shore) and Isla Huppatz (Burleigh Heads)have won the 2023 Australian Open of Surfing (AOS) Tour Better Beer Bondi Open Grand Final, presented by Mad Mex, in small surf at the iconic Bondi Beach.
The sun was shining for the third and final stop of the 2023 AOS Tour. It was an epic day of action as some of Australia’s best surfers battled to claim the $10,000 winners’ cheque.
The one-day finale showcased the top 15 men and women qualifiers from the combined two event series and local wildcards. The Bondi Open was the first major surfing competition to be held at Bondi Beach in more than a decade.
The men’s final was a hotly contested battle as anticipated between Luke Brumby (Sunshine Coast) and Benny Wilson (North Narrabeen). AOS standout performer, Benny Wilson put on a solid performance but just came short to Luke Brumby by 1.0.
“Thanks to all the sponsors of the event for putting on a great series. Its such a great format with the one-wave scoring. I was under pressure the whole heat (with Benny) but came home with the win so I’m pretty happy,” said Luke.
The women’s final was the last hoorah for the 2023 AOS Tour and did not disappoint. Providing plenty of action for thousands of spectators lining Bondi Beach to watch some of Australia’s best aspiring women surfers, it was Isla Huppatz (Burleigh Heads) who smashed it out of the park. Winning with a 7.33, unfortunately it was Gabi Spake (Long Reef) who fell short in the finals.
“I just can’t believe it right now,” said Isla.
“This is crazy. Everyone was surfing so good and I’m over the moon to have taken the win. I’ve been thinking about getting a jetski so might put some of this money towards that.”
The 2023 AOS Tour hosted by Surfing Queensland and Surfing NSW, inaugurated a non-traditional heat-format with surfers best single-wave score making up their final heat placing rather than two-waves. The tour also saw a huge prize pool of $50,000 cash, a significant amount provided to support professional and aspiring Australian surfers in their campaign to qualify for the World Championship Tour.
The AOS tour included two qualifying events, The Coffs Harbour Open and the Sunshine Coast Open, with the top qualifiers from the two events being invited to compete at the Better Beer Bondi Open Grand Final presented by Mad Mex.
The afternoon activities will continue across the road at the Bondi Beach Road Hotel from 2pm onwards to crown the champions and celebrate the conclusion of the 2023 AOS Tour.
The 2023 Australian Open of Surfing Tour presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is supported by Mad Mex, Coffs Harbour Council, Better Beer, Mambo and Club Med.
MEN’S FINAL RESULTS
- Luke Brumby (North Shore, Sunshine Coast)
- Benny Wilson (North Narrabeen)
- Dom Thomas (East End)
- Fred Carmody (Bondi)
WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS
- Isla Huppatz (Burleigh Heads)
- Gabi Spake (Long Reef)
- Holly Williams (Buddina, QLD)
- Jahly Stokes (Kawana, QLD)
2023 Australian Open of Surfing Tour, presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Qualifier One, The Volkswagen Coffs Harbour Open – 14 Oct
Qualifier Two, The Sunshine Coast Open – 27-28 Oct
Grand Final, Better Beer Bondi Open – 12 Nov
