Bells Beach, VIC/AUS (Friday, 29th May 2015): Former Australian Pro Junior Champion, Soli Bailey (Byron Bay, NSW) has been crowned Australian Indigenous Surfing Champion at Bells Beach today on Victoria’s Surf Coast.

With multiple lay days throughout the week, the competition was finished in pumping 4-6ft waves on the final day of the event waiting-period.

Bailey was unstoppable throughout the event winning every heat on his way to the final knocking out reigning event champion Otis Carey (Coffs Harbour, NSW) in the Semi Finals.

The Final saw Bailey put Russell Molony (Central Coast, NSW) in a combination situation locking in the highest wave of the day, a 9.77(out of a possible 10). Bailey scored a heat total of 17.77 (out of a possible 20) to claim the coveted title.

Molony could not find the waves needed finishing with a heat total of 8.00.

“I am so wrapped just to be here with all the different tribes, it didn’t really matter if I won or lost ” said an ecstatic Bailey.

“This event is so much fun, it’s a really relaxed event and everyone is just so happy to be here. It means to much to all of us.”

“I am one of the youngest guys in this comp, so I am just constantly learning off all of the guys like Russ and Pagey and Otis.”

Robbie Page has again taken out the Masters Men Division for the 3rd year in a row. The former Pipe Masters Champion, showed his composure in the solid swell with a series of under the lip turns and big carves.

“I feel blessed and I feel privileged to be able to wear the title of Australian Indigenous Masters Champion.” said Page.

“I’m really proud to be back again with all of the boy. They are all standouts in their respective communities.”

“To be able to surf Bells in the 6ft range with only 3 other guys out is a special thing that we are all grateful for.”

Page locked in one of the highest wave of the day with a 9.60 in the final. Placing in second was Wayne Caberry (Mogo, NSW), with Matthew Molony (Central Coast, NSW) placing in third.

The Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles is proudly supported by the Victorian Government, Play it Safe by the Water, VicHealth, Watharuong Aboriginal Cooperative, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Head Sox, Surf Coast Shire, NITV, Telstra, Surfing Australia and Surfing Victoria.

Open Men Final:

• 1st Soli Bailey 17.77
• 2nd Russell Molony 8.00

Open Men Semi Finals:

Heat 1: 

• 1st Russel Molony 12.17
• 2nd Robbie Page 12.04

Heat 2: 

• 1st Soli Bailey 12.73
• 2nd Otis Carey 10.77

Masters Final:

• 1st Robbie Page 15.27
• 2nd Wayne Caberry 8.84
• 3rd Mathew Molony 8.54