Acclaimed contemporary Indigenous artist Otis Carey has swapped the canvas for the surfboard and in the process adding to his cultural legacy, taking out his third open Australia Indigenous Surfing titles and his first for seven years.

Showcasing the leading First Nations surfers in an expression of cultural celebration and competition at Djarrak/Bells Beach, the surfer from Suffolk Park, near Byron Bay, set the pace early in the open division's final against the Central Coast's Russ Molony, Newcastle's John Craig and Torquay's Jordie Campbell, who was riding on his home waves.

Carey first scored a 7.00 point ride in the pristine three-to-four feet waves on Sunday and only extended his early lead further with an impressive 8.00 from his speed and control.

Campbell made his presence felt with a 5.67 point ride from a clean combination of backhand snaps before the goofy-footer scored 6.33 in another solid ride.

Trailing the pair after multiple swooping curves delivered a 4.17 point score, Molony used his priority surf inside the final 10 minutes to rip into a set wave, air-dropping out of a critical snap to return a 7.43 and now a shot at the lead.

But as the seconds ticked down on the clock, the struggle to find the right wave all but ensured that Carey would hold onto his lead from Molony, Craig and Campbell.

More known in some circles for bridging the gap between the Indigenous past and the future in the art world all from drawing heavily on traditional Aboriginal symbolism but giving it a contemporary take, Carey's surfing in recent times has almost played second fiddle.

Carey's artistry on the board over the three days of the carnival appeared to have some observers question whether his surfing was more akin to performance art than a competition too.

The Gaagal, his mob's linguistic term for the ocean, has been his Gumbaynggirr's totem and the 36-year-old, who has Bundjalung bloodlines, even joined the world surfing circuit in 2017.

In the beachside interview after the victory following up on his past titles in 2014 and 2017, Carey played down winning the contest and his growing legend in Indigenous culture.

"It was nice to be here with everybody from all the other countries around Australia and surf," a modest Carey said.

"The waves were really good; they were a bit slow, but when they came in, they were perfect bowls.

"We've been really blessed today with waves.

"It's been a really fun and a beautiful morning.

"Winning is just a plus – for me, winning is being here with everybody, so to take it out is just an extra little bonus."

Landon Smales almost overshadowed Carey's performance in a sign of the future of Indigenous surfing.

The Noosa Heads rider made history by dropping two perfect 10-point rides on his way to claiming victory in both the open men's longboard and junior boys' divisions.

In the longboard semi-final, Smales utilised the entire length of his board by walking up and back between the nose and the tail multiple times before executing huge drop knee carves to score the first 10 points.

This gave the star teenager a convincing win and momentum heading into that final, which included beating his fourth-placed brother Kaiden Smales.

He switched to his shortboard for the junior decider and integrated a longboard style while seamlessly tapping into the innovative side of the shortboard criteria.

Smales at one stage built up speed before launching into a huge lofty air reverse, earning the second 10-point ride of the day to secure the win from his brother, who ensured the Smales pairing captured the quinella.

"For my first 10 on the longboard, the wave was just perfect and gave me so many opportunities to nose ride and carve my way through," Smales said.

"In the shortboard, that 10 was pretty sick too – the wave gave me many opportunities and I got to tee off some sick snaps and then finish with a big air.

"It was amazing being down here; we got to score some pumping Bells, and it is my favourite event to come down to.

"It was good surfing on the longboard and then being able to surf on the shorty too."

Ocea Curtis from Lennox Heads took out her first Indigenous open women's final.

The 18-year-old's win comes after capturing the junior girls' equivalent back-to-back title again this year.

Curtis had only returned earlier this month from ISA world junior surfing championship held in El Salvador.

In the women's longboard division, the final was a daring 35-minute heat with six competitors trading waves while also showcasing the camaraderie of Indigenous sisterhood.

But in the thrilling final minute of the contest, Jan Juc surfer Jessi Muir backed up an earlier 7.50 points, adding a late 4.17 more to steal the lead and win the final.

"It was definitely a shock to me," Muir said after pulling off the dramatic finish.

"It's so good surfing with all the girls; the energy is always fun and supportive.

"We just love each other, so we want to go out there, have fun, and just make sure everyone gets a wave.

"I can surf any conditions with them out there and have a good time."

Other division winners were Lee Winkler from Coffs Harbour in the men's masters and Brook Silvester from Tugun in men's over 50s finals.