Bodyboarders Get Ready To Do Battle at Australian Surf Championships

Excitement is building ahead of the Australian Surf Championships, which is set to get underway in Port Macquarie next week.

The Australian Bodyboard Titles will be held on the 14th to the 16th of August alongside the Shortboard, Longboard & Logger and Para Surfing Titles.

Port Macquarie has a long and rich history of bodyboarding that dates back to the 1980s. The small coastal town on the mid-north coast of NSW is home to one of the longest-running bodyboarding clubs in the world and has produced two world champions.

Ebony Schell (Perth, WA) is returning to defend her title. 

“Meeting new, friendly like minded people is a big part of what makes the Australian Surf Championships so enjoyable. It is the highest level of competitive bodyboarding currently in Australia, and is a stepping stone into potentially international competitions such as the IBC (International Bodyboarding Corporation).”

The 20-year-old will be competing in Open Women alongside her brother who will be competing in Under 18 Junior Men and her dad, in Masters Men.

“I grew up in a family that shares the same love for waves. The friendly rivalry of pushing myself against my brother and my dad lead me into putting on the comp rashie. Through the sport I met my boyfriend, many great friends and have made many great memories.”

James Leayr (Newcastle, NSW) is also hoping to win back-to-back titles.

“It’s always an excuse to get out of Newcastle and compete with other bodyboarders that shred from all over the country. I’ll be entering Open Men and Drop Knee to see if I can back it up with a conservative Drop knee title and better my 2nd in Open Men’s. The thing I froth on the most is catching up with all the crew heading up for the event. It’s always a very well organised event. Hopefully the waves turn on.”

Australian Bodyboard Titles – divisions:
Open Men
Open Women
Under 18 Junior Men
Under 16 Cadet Open
Under 14 Grommet Open
Masters Men O35
Kahunas Men O45
Open Drop Knee Men 3

Australian Surf Championships – Port Macquarie, NSW (Aug 4 – 21)

• Opening Ceremony: August 4
• Australian Longboard Titles: August 5 – 12
• Australian Para Surfing Titles: August 13
• Australian Bodyboard Titles: August 14 – 16
• Australian Shortboard Titles: August 17 – 21

Entry to the Australian Titles is by state qualification or invitation.

The Australian Surf Championships are proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW as well as Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Le Tan, Stroud Homes, Bonny Hills Beach Hotel, Jim Beam, Stoddart Group, One Agency North Haven and Surfing NSW.