Surfing Australia is thrilled to announce the six surfers who will represent Team Irukandjis Masters at the upcoming ISA World Masters Surfing Championship (WMSC). Taking place in less than a month, the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship returns after a decade-long hiatus and will be hosted by Surf City El Salvador at the iconic El Sunzal point-break.
This prestigious event will see the world’s best master surfers compete across three age divisions: 40-49, 50-59, and 60+. Seven-time WSL Champion Layne Beachley, is a former Masters World Champion.
The WMSC has been held six times between 2007 and 2013, with venues including iconic surf spots such as Colorado (Nicaragua), Rincon (Puerto Rico), and El Salvador (2011). The 2024 edition promises to continue this legacy, with the consistent, world-class waves of Surf City El Salvador expected to deliver once again.
Luke Madden, Surfing Australia’s Chief of Sport – Events, Participation & Community, said: “We’re absolutely stoked to see the ISA bring back the World Masters Surfing Championship after more than a decade. Australia has an incredible depth of talent in the Masters age divisions, largely due to our strong boardrider club community. The recent Hyundai High Performance Centre Australian Surf Championships at Port Macquarie demonstrated the high standard of talent in this division, with many winners now making up the team heading overseas. This event provides a vital international pathway for our Australian Titles athletes, offering them the opportunity to compete on the world stage.”
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said: “I am extremely happy for the return of the World Masters Surfing Championship, and what an ideal location in Surf City El Salvador. The list of iconic surfers who have participated in past years is incredible and I can’t wait to see the names that will be added to that list in 2024. The level of surfing and competitiveness runs hot in so many over-40 surfers and I am thrilled at the opportunity to see the world’s best back in action on Sunzal’s amazing waves. This event is a true celebration of surfing.”
Introducing Team Irukandjis Masters:
Shane Conwell (Whale Beach, NSW) – Male Division 40-49
“I feel honoured and overwhelmed to follow in the footsteps of previous great surfers who have represented Australia. I’m looking forward to the surf and experiencing the culture of El Salvador. I’m going there to do my best for Australia, my family, NASA boardriders community, friends and to make my girls proud. I have been a Surf Coach for 23 years Manly Surf School, was Aussie Champion in the over-40s last year and a finalist in previous state and Aussie Titles.”
Scott Schindler (Sawtell, NSW) – Male Division 50-59
“It’s such an honour to wave the Australian flag and be part of such an amazing team. Having previously competed at this event was a mind blowing experience. I’m seeking redemption. I want to win this time! After stopping surfing in my 20s I’ve comeback as Masters.”
Rod Baldwin (Copacabana, NSW) – Male Division 60+
“This will be my fourth ISA World Masters and I have enjoyed being part of the Australian team. I’ve made the final at each of my previous contests. I won individual Copper in the over 45s at Peru in 2008, individual gold in the over 45s and team gold at Panama in 2010 and individual bronze in the over 50s at Nicaragua in 2012. I feel lucky to get one more chance in the over-60 division, especially after having to withdraw from the 2011 event in El Salvador as my mother was very ill at the time. I have also won 14 Australian short board titles.”
Serena Brooke (Noosa Heads, QLD) – Female Division 40-49
“It’s an incredible feeling to represent Australia. This is my first ISA World Titles, and I’m excited for the warm, fun waves of El Salvador. I was on the World Championship Tour from 1995. Got rookie of the year till 2009. I was runner up to the World Title twice, in 1998 and 1999, have won several World Championship Tour events and won the World Qualifying Tour also.”
Kim Wooldridge (Austinmer, NSW) – Female Division 50-59
“It’s been a long time since I last represented Australia, so it’s going to be amazing. I have competed at WQS and WCT event a lot before, but not with the ISA. I am looking forward to a new place and country that I haven’t been to. I haven’t competed in while, so will have to dial that back in. My surfing journey started when I was about five years old. I went through the amateur years before turning professional in 1993 on the ASP tour. I won rookie of the year in 1993, a couple WQS events, and made many semi-finals and finals of WCT events, until moving away from full time competition in 2006.”
Sandra English (Budgewoi, NSW) – Female Division 60+
“I’m both honoured and excited to represent Australia again. It is always amazing representing your country not only as an individual but in a team environment and meeting people from all over the world. The competition brings excitement and nerves but the atmosphere will be electric. The opening ceremony is always a highlight as it brings all the nations together. I started surfing at 14, have won 16 Australian titles, represented my country at four World Masters, collected every medal colour, was Australian team coach in 2002 and 2004 and I am a Surfing NSW life member.”
Team Irukandjis Masters:
Men
- Shane Conwell (Whale Beach, NSW) – 40+
- Scott Schindler (Sawtell, NSW) – 50+
- Rod Baldwin (Copacabana, NSW) – 60+
Women
- Serena Brooke (Noosa Heads, QLD) – 40+
- Kim Wooldridge (Austinmer, NSW) – 50+
- Sandra English (Budgewoi, NSW) – 60+
For more information, please visit the event website HERE.
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