Wandiyali ATSI Indigenous Classic

The Wandiyali ATSI Indigenous Classic is back again in 2012!

And contest organiser Stan Moylan reckons that the event will once more draw indigenous surfers from around Australia.

"There's surfers coming from up the north coast and from down south. Joe Haddon and Russell Molony are coming and Russell has won this event heaps of times. He just loves this comp," Moylan said.

Defending champion Molony, currently ranked inside the world's best 225 surfers, is no stranger to securing the premium piece of silverware at the event at Surfest that gets the whole festival underway.

"I'm not sure if it's five or six times that I have won this event but I love it more every time," the 32-year-old said.

"It's like a big family get together at Surfest with a really good vibe. You get to see some of the mob you only see once a year here," the natural-footer said.

Another surfer who is becoming accustomed to standing on the winner's stage at the event that gets the annual Surfest rolling is Newcastle's Ginaya Henare.

Besides the Open and Women's divisions, there is also a comp for juniors - and all indigenous surfers are welcome.

"Wandiyali is really pleased we can run this event at Surfest and we always look forward to seeing everyone again," Wandiyali CEO Stephen Kilroy said.

"Everyone gets together, people come from everywhere and yarn and make friends. The competition is great in the water but out of the water it's just really relaxed."

Wandiyali is a community-based organisation that works with and provides a range of support services to people aged between 14 and 25 years-of-age who are having troubles at home or just want someone to talk to.

To compete at the event, please download an entry form below.

Entry Form - Wandiyali ATSI Indigenous Classic