2025 ISA World Para Surfing ChampionshipTeam Announcement

urfing Australia is proud to announce the 13 adaptive surfers selected to represent the Irukandjis at the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship to be held at Oceanside, California, on November 2-7, 2025.

The team includes a mix of seasoned champions and exciting new talents. Surfing Australia’s National High Performance Director, Kate Wilcomes, is proud to celebrate the addition of these athletes to a strong and inspiring national surfing team

“Australia has a long history of medal winning athletes, and the 2025 Irukandji team represents both those experienced surfers and the next generation. This event is a powerful reminder that surfing has no limits, and the spirit of these athletes continues to inspire communities in Australia and across the globe.”

Amongst them, five-time World Champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (Byron Bay, NSW), a veteran of the sport, will be competing in his tenth World Championship.

“I’m stoked to again represent Australia as an Irukandjis at my tenth ISA World Championship. I’m really looking forward to travelling and competing as part of this team and hopefully reproduce a gold medal performance,”

At the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship, the team crowned two new world champions, eight individual medals and brought home an overall bronze medal.

Jocelyn Neumueller (Park Holme, SA) and Kai Colless (Burleigh Heads, QLD) took home gold medals in their divisions. Joel Taylor (Lennox Head, NSW) claimed silver, while Emma Dieters (Mona Vale, NSW) and Cliff Gralton (Tuncurry, NSW) secured bronze. Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (Byron Bay, NSW), Kirk Watson (Mona Vale, NSW) and Matt Formston (Wamberal, NSW), each earned copper in their respective divisions.

Hoping to continue building the nation’s success at the ISA World Para Surfing Championship, Dion Atkinson, Head of Podium at Surfing Australia, highlighted the team’s strength and momentum.

“We have a very strong team confirmed for this year’s ISA World Para Surfing Championship, and as we continue to build momentum on the world stage — while also growing the depth of talent in Australia — it’s an incredibly exciting time for our sport and our athletes.

The ISA World Para Surfing Championship returns to Oceanside, California, this November, and our Australian athletes are ready to represent with pride. Any support for our fundraising efforts will make a huge difference — not just for the athletes, but for the coaches, support teams, and the future of para surfing in Australia.”

While the 2025 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.” said Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (Byron Bay, NSW)

Joining the athletes at Oceanside will be Head Coach, Josh Fuller and Team Manager, Katie Waugh.

“After such a successful year with last year’s campaign, I’m really excited to be heading back to coach this year’s team. We were a few athletes short of a full squad last year, but thanks to the talent of the athletes surfing for Australia, we were still able to secure a podium finish. This year we have a bigger and stronger team. The event is back at Oceanside, which a lot of our athletes are familiar with, and carrying the momentum of a strong result with the recent ISA Open win, I know all the competitors are driven to bring another gold home for Australia and for themselves. I’m very excited and feel very fortunate to be supporting the athletes as a coach again this year. Let’s go, Australia—oi oi oi!” said Josh Fuller.

Support the Irukandjis Para Surfing Team via their official fundraising campaign HERE.


2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship – Team Irukandjis:
Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart – Para Surf Kneel
Toby Begg – Para Surf Kneel
Emma Dieters – Para Surf Kneel
Kai Colless – Para Surf Prone 1
Joel Taylor – Para Surf Prone 1
Grace Kennedy – Para Surf Prone 1
Cliff Gralton – Para Surf Prone 2
Jack Curphey – Para Surf Prone 2
Annie Goldsmith – Para Surf Prone 2
Kirk Watson – Para Surf VI 1
Steve Fox – Para Surf VI 1
Jack Jackson – Para Surf VI 2
Sarah Jane Gibson – Para Surf VI 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.