The Simon family have been making the trip to the Indigenous Surfing Titles on Wadawurrung Country at Djarrak (Bells Beach, Vic) for a number of years.
The titles see mob from all over come together over three days, in divisions including Open Men and Women, Junior Men and Women (U18), Masters (O35), Elders (O50) and Longboard.
You're likely to see Simons (Summer, Taj, Bodhi, Mahli, along with dad Mark and mum Nikki) shred in almost all the catagories.
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I Live, I Breathe, I Surf
Mark, a Biripi man, says that for him and his family, competing is just a bonus.
"There's not many Blakfulla's that surf," he told NITV.
"So to be able to share stories, spend time with other people, other mobs that have the same interests, same lifestyle as you, that's really the most important thing to come to these gatherings.
"All the mobs come together and share our story, share our culture, and then that's better than any part of the competition."
I don't want to lose my love for surfing and sometimes competing does do that.
Bodhi, however, loves the inter-family competition, and was keen to get one over her older sister, Summer.
"Beating Summer would be a really good feeling, I haven't done it many times cause she's won this event so many times," she said.
"I'd like to take it off her!"
Summer herself is more of her dad's persuasion: keen to just enjoy the surf.
"I'm happy to keep cruising really. I think competitive surfing is really hard to get into but I don't want to lose my love for surfing and sometimes competing does do that."
Mark, a somewhat late starter to surfing, says that it's been a family affair since Summer, the eldest, encouraged the family to get in the water and take up surfing.
Connection to Sea-Country
Being in the ocean is a particularly special experience for the Simons, and their connection with Country.
Saltwater people from Biripi Country, Mark says he spent a lot of time in the water growing up on Country.
However, he hasn't been back as often since the passing of his Nan and Aunty.
"So one of our totems is a shark, so whenever we see a shark in the ocean, it doesn't faze me," he said.
"I just tell the kids that it's one of the old ancestors come and say hello and checking in on us.
"It definitely keeps that connection."
Being welcomed onto Wadawurrung Country with a smoking was extra special for Bodhi this year.
"The opening ceremony is so special, every time you just get chills.
"And when you walk through the smoke, getting cleansed, it's just such a good feeling. I walked in with my sister, that was aspecial bonus together as well."
Competition results
Organisers said this year's competition and talent was exceptional as the annual event grows and strengthens each year.
Here are the results from the weekend:
Open Men
1st – Otis Carey (Suffolk Park, NSW), 15.00
2nd – Russ Molony (Central Coast, NSW), 14.26
3rd – John Craig (Newcastle, NSW), 11.90
4th – Jordie Campbell (Torquay), 11.60
Open Women
1st – Ocea Curtis (Lennox Head, NSW), 9.47
2nd – Bohdi Simons (Coolangatta, QLD), 8.83
3rd – Meg Day (Moonta, SA), 7.33
4th – Kauri Heuston-Connor (Reedy Creek, QLD), 6.27
Mens Longboard
1st – Landen Smales (Noosa Heads, QLD), 17.57
2nd – Kaiden Smales (Noosa Heads, QLD), 15.46
3rd – Rhys Collins (Red Hill, VIC), 11.77
4th – Ben Cole (Yamba, NSW), 9.27
Womens Longboard
1st – Jessi Muir (Jan Juc, VIC), 11.67
2nd – Mali Legge (NSW), 11.50
3rd – Missy McArther (Mullaway, NSW), 7.70
4th – Elly Muir (Jan Juc, VIC), 6.16
Masters Men
1st – Lee Winkler (Coffs Harbour, NSW), 13.46
2nd – John Craig (Newcastle, NSW), 12.76
3rd – Anthony Hume (Torquay, VIC), 11.00
4th – Glenn Curtis (Lennox Head, NSW), 4.67
Junior Boys
1st – Landon Smales (Noosa Heads, QLD), 18.00
2nd – Charlie Chisolm (Torquay, VIC), 12.13
3rd – Seth Baillie (SA), 8.57
4th – Rylee Duell (Phillip Island, VIC), 7.97
Junior Girls
1st – Ocea Curtis (Lennox Head, NSW), 13.67
2nd – Kauri Heuston-Connor (Reedy Creek, QLD), 13.50
3rd – Bohdi Simons (Coolangatta, QLD), 11.00
4th – Matilda Thearle (Woolooware, NSW), 4.40
Over 50 Men
1st – Brook Silvester (Tugun, NSW), 13.00
2nd – Jay McKenzie (Cronulla, NSW), 9.60
3rd – Glenn Curtis (Lennox Head, NSW), 9.33
4th – Alfred Wellington (Orient Point, NSW), 8.33
