"For The Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles to grow, the event had to be nurtured"- Yorta Yorta surfer Anthony Hume.
The Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles were held at Bells Beach in Victoria's Surf Coast Shire in February.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women surfers from across Australia came to surf the world famous beach.
Bells Beach is on the Wathaurong nation and is a culturally significant gathering ground and ancient midden site.
The shell middens are protected during the event to keep spectators and surfing crew from walking over the site.
A welcome ceremony to acknowledge country and the First Nations people made the event culturally safe for the custodians and the surfers.
Russel Molony took out the crown for the Open Men's title while 14 year old Summer Simon took out the crown for the Women's competition.
The three day competition showcases Indigenous open men, the top masters men, the top open women and open longboarders from across Australia.
Event organiser and surfer Anthony Hume says the event is more than a competition.
Indigenous surfers have become a family and look forward to spending the time together each year and they get to do what they love- surfing of course.
