Surfing Australia is proud to announce the 11 adaptive surfers selected to represent the Irukandjis at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship to be held at Huntington Beach, California, on November 3-9, 2024.
The team includes a mix of seasoned champions and exciting new talents. Five-time World Champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (Byron Bay, NSW), a veteran of the sport, will be competing in his ninth World Championship.
“I’m stoked to again represent Australia as an Irukandjis at my ninth ISA World Championship. I’m really looking forward to travelling and competing as part of this team and hopefully reproduce a gold medal performance,” Stewart said.
At the 2023 ISA World Para Surfing Championship, the team brought home seven medals, including Emma Dieters (Mona Vale, NSW), Kirk Watson (Mona Vale, NSW), and Joel Taylor (Lennox Head, NSW) all winning gold in their respective divisions.
While the 2024 team is focused on competition, they are also committed to raising funds to support their journey. As this trip is self-funded, athletes are relying on public donations to help cover their expenses.
“It’s an expensive trip as an adaptive athlete, with no government assistance, but thanks to Surfing Australia for launching a fundraising campaign to assist the whole team. Come on Aussies, get behind this team of amazing athletes,” Stewart said.
Kai Colless (Burleigh Heads, QLD), who has had a remarkable rise in the para surfing world, will be making his second appearance at the ISA event after a successful debut in 2023 and a recent AASP World Title win.
Joining the athletes at Huntington Beach will be Head Coach, Josh Fuller and Team Manager, Byron Hoskins.
“We’re fielding an incredibly talented group of athletes this year. From our experienced champions like Mono and Joel Taylor, to young up-and-comers like Kai, this team is one of the strongest we’ve had. We’re all very excited for what’s to come in Huntington Beach,” Fuller said.
Support the Irukandjis Para Surfing Team via their official fundraising campaign HERE.
2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship – Team Irukandjis:
Chris Blowes (Netley, SA) – Para Surf Stand 3
Joel Taylor (Lennox Head, NSW) – Para Surf Prone 1
Kai Colless (Burleigh Heads, QLD) – Para Surf Prone 1
Cliff Gralton (Tuncurry, NSW) – Para Surf Prone 2
Lee Ferrier (Narrabeen, NSW) – Para Surf Prone 2
Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (Byron Bay, NSW) – Para Surf Kneel
Michael Fonti (Nowra, NSW) – Para Surf Kneel
Kirk Watson (Mona Vale, NSW) – Para Surf VI 1
Emma Dieters (Mona Vale, NSW) – Para Surf Kneel
Annie Goldsmith (Erindale, SA) – Para Surf Prone 2
Jocelyn Neumueller (Park Holme, SA) – Para Surf Prone 2
Para Surfing has experienced incredible growth since the first ISA World Para Surfing Championship in 2015 (originally titled the World Adaptive Surfing Championship), and continues to grow. During that period, the ISA has continued to refine the Para Surfing Classification system in line with IPC requirements and encouraged its network of 116 member nations to host national and regional competitions.
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