Tom Lewis and Tully Elliott Claim Historic Wins at the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Jim Wall Classic

The Jim Wall Classic once again delivered a standout chapter in Australia’s surf sports calendar, with the 2026 edition showcasing everything the event is renowned for  fast racing, stacked fields, and a celebration of Victorian surf sports.

Held in classic Victorian conditions, athletes and spectators were greeted with strong onshore winds and consistent 2–3 foot surf. From the opening heats through to the finals, the standard was uncompromising, with tight margins and relentless pace defining the day. It was a true test of preparation  those who trained hard through the holiday period thrived, while others were quickly found out.

The course was set mid-beach at Torquay, with waves reeling off the point and rewarding athletes who read the ocean best. While the Jim Wall Ironman and Ironwoman races were the mainstage, the individual board, ski, and swim events produced some of the best spectating seen all summer in the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series.

 

Depth on Display Across All events.

The event showcased the full spectrum of surf sports, from U13 competitors through to elite Open athletes, highlighting the depth and strength of the Victorian pathway.

One of the standout races of the day was the Open Men’s Board. Veteran campaigner Steve Kerr, the “young” 42-year-old, delivered an emphatic performance, controlling the race from start to finish. Backed early as a Southern States Showdown contender, Kerr delivered in style and looks primed to elevate his racing heading into the upcoming 10,000-point rounds.

In the Women’s Board, Victorians Mae Lynch and Jane McMeel capitalised on home conditions, finishing first and second against a strong NSW and Queensland contingent. A massive confidence boost as the season reaches its crucial phase.

 

Victorian Dominance in the Craft Races

The ski races underlined the growing depth of Victorian talent. Warrnambool’s Elissa Johnson claimed the women’s ski in elite fashion, timing a wave off the point to perfection.

In the men’s race, Russell Fox split the field on the final leg, turning a well-timed bump into an armchair ride home to secure the win.

The swim races were electric. Tom Lewis continued his Southern States Showdown momentum with a sprint-finish victory over Mermaid Beach’s Matt Gilling, while the women’s swim saw rising star Jasmine Hume claim her first Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series race win, showcasing outstanding surf skills to ride a wave all the way to the beach.

 

The 65th Jim Wall Ironwoman & Ironman Classics

At 3pm, with the tide low, sun breaking through, and the onshore wind still pressing, it was time for the 65th Jim Wall Ironwoman and Ironman Classic races.

Ironwoman

The women raced first in the traditional swim-board-ski format. Burleigh’s Holly Holmesby led early, with Emily Holyman and Tully Elliott close behind. Holmesby maintained control through the board and into the ski, but Elliott executed a perfectly measured race, jumping onto the same wave off the point for a dramatic sprint finish.

Locked together around the final turn, Elliott found an extra gear on the sand to edge ahead, claiming her first Jim Wall Classic Ironwoman title  a remarkable achievement after multiple attempts at the iconic race.

Ironman

The men’s race mirrored the women’s in intensity. Torquay-raised Archie Vernon led strongly out of the swim and board, with Tom Lewis and Matt Gilling closing fast. On the ski leg, Lewis and Vernon both snagged a wave off the point, setting up a thrilling run to the finish.

Lewis proved strongest on the beach, surging past to claim his first Jim Wall Classic Ironman win and his second victory of the Southern States Showdown.

 

Southern States Showdown Heats Up

With two events remaining in the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Southern States Showdown, Tom Lewis now sits firmly in the box seat.

Raw conditions, elite performances, and unforgettable finishes the Jim Wall Classic once again proved why it holds such a special place in Australian surf sports history.

 

 

Check results here at live heats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s check out the results

 

MEN’S BOARD

1st – Stephen Kerr
2nd – Robert Burfield
3rd – Tom Welch

 

WOMEN’S BOARD

1st – Mae Lynch
2nd – Jane McMeel
3rd – Tully Elliott

 

MEN’S SKI

1st – Russel Fox
2nd – Will Richards
3rd –Harry Stevens

 

WOMEN’S SKI

1st – Elissa Johnson
2nd – Holly Holmesby
3rd – Tully Elliott

 

MEN’S SWIM

1st – Tom Lewis
2nd – Matt Gilling
3rd – Jordan Merrilees

 

WOMEN’S SWIM

1st – Jasmine Hume
2nd – Jemma Holt
3rd – Holly Holmesby

 

IRONMAN

1st – Tom Lewis
2nd – Archie Vernon
3rd – Matt Gilling

 

IRONWOMAN

1st – Tully Eliott
2nd – Holly Holmesby
3rd – Mae Lynch

Torquay Jim Wall Ironman Classic — Home of the World’s First Ironman Race

The Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series heads to the Surf Coast on 4 January for the Torquay Jim Wall Ironman Classic, held on the very beach where the world’s first Ironman race was contested. Steeped in history and surf culture, Torquay is one of Australia’s most iconic coastal towns.

Starting as the Jim Wall “Surfathon” in 1962, named for early club resident Jim Wall, the unique event was first created at TSLSC to challenge all round surf and water ability, with an endurance format including continuous efforts in swimming, board and ski paddling and beach running. It is believed to be the first continuous ironman event ever staged, in that format that has now become standard. The event has become a coveted ‘hit out’ for both local and interstate athletes, with the sought-after prize being a hand on the Jim Wall trophy.

Having been won by many well-known athletes over the years, such as Matt Bevilacqua, Harriet Brown, Naomi Scott and Georgia Miller, the event has seen its fair share of local champions too – names such as David Strahan, Archie Vernon, Zeb Walsh, Cliff Goulding, and Terry Wall (son of Jim) in the early days, have graced the podium.

In modern times the event has become part of a national circuit and as females have greatly bolstered the surf life saving movement, they are now competing in their section of the event as fiercely as their male counterparts.

Now part Summer of Surf Series as a 5000 point event, The Jim Wall Iron is now a drawcard for athletes seeking to gain an advantage in the season while competing for one of the most coveted trophies in all of Australia.

The event is also a free spectator sport for visitors and gives prime time exposure for a huge cross-section of the community and tourists visiting the area. The event is promoted heavily and is a drawcard for visitors to Torquay and the local surrounds. With the Torquay Surf Beach providing a natural amphitheater anchored by the Torquay Surf Club which features a bar with the best view in the world, thousands flock to the beach to enjoy the spectacle of surf sports.

Over $8,000 in cash and great product prizes on offer

Jim Wall Ironman and Ironwoman 1st $1500, 2nd $1000 3rd $500

The Jim Wall Classic will start 9am Sunday 4th Jan 2026

Event Schedule

 

 

Check for live results here:

 

The third stop on the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Southern State Showdown.