Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Top bodyboarders compete for $10,000 in the 2009 Shark Island Challenge
Monday, 11 May 2009 14:27

2009 Shark Island Challenge

For over 20 years Cronulla’s Shark Island has been a proving ground for high performance Bodyboarding in Australia.

In 1997 this proving ground was extended to a selected international contingent, when a hardcore group of Cronulla locals created a competition format they named The Shark Island Challenge. The concept was simple: Invite the world’s best riders to Cronulla to surf Australia’s original wave of consequence to compete in a “winner takes all” shoot out.

Over the past 12 years the Shark Island Challenge has become one of the most prestigious events in the world, synonymous with some of the most breath taking competition images in bodyboarding history. For many years the SIC has been voted by bodyboarders world wide as the most prestigious event on the planet, and has been seen as one of the toughest contests on the tour. This year will be no different.

Although there have been some changes to the competition format over the last 7 years, the 2009 Shark Island Challenge will reinstate the original competition format: 16 wildcard invitees riders and 4 trialists will have the opportunity to compete for a $10,000.00 prize purse at Australia’s most prestigious event in a “winner takes all” shoot out.

The return to an invitees only format will ensure that the world best riders, whether they are underground, well travelled, sponsored, recluse wave hunters, or past or present world champions will be part of these selected few who will be on hand to take on the best SINGLE DAY of waves held over a 3 week waiting period.

Contest Director Mark Fordham said of SIC 2009 “The criteria for the event has always been the heaviest move on the most critical section wins. We are confident that we will get the right mix of riders to make a spectacular event”.

So in 2009 the Shark Island Challenge returns – ‘The Beast Has Been Unleashed’ - the original concept where a champion of champion is crowned. Through expressions of interest riders will nominate themselves to be one of the chosen 16 of the world’s most feared hard nuts, and granted wildcards to tackle one of Mother Nature’s most feared waves. To top it off four riders from the Brett Young Memorial Trials (to be staged at Cronulla Point 4th -5th of July) will be flung into the arena to mix it up with the freaks....

Contest dates are as follows

The Brett Young Memorial Trials > 4th – 5th of July
Presented By Emerald Surf City

To be staged at Cronulla Point – trialists will compete for the honour gaining entry into the SIC 2009

The Nomad Shark Island Challenge > 7th – 27th of July
In Association with Emerald Surf City

A 1 day event staged at Shark Island; 20 of the world’s most talented riders taking on the Beast..

PLEASE NOTE
The invitees will be a mixture of Cronulla locals, Australians and Internationals.

Bodyboarders from around the world interested in a possible invite opportunity will need to submit an ‘Expression of Interest’ by the 31st of May 2009. Expressions of interest are to be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


SOURCE: Nomad


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

Wave Height Forecast
Check the Wind Forecast for your surfing region
Wave Period
The best bodyboarding fins in the world
The best bodyboarding wipeouts ever
Online Surfing Games
How to buy a bodyboard?
The best surf watches in the world
Surf Movies

SURFING

Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Rio Pro 2013
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Jordy Smith has conquered the Billabong Pro Rio 2013, in clean two-to-four foot (1 meter) waves, at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca, in front of thousands of surf fans.
The best ocean conditions of the entire Billabong Pro Rio 2013 came in the finals' day, with Jordy Smith beating Adriano de Souza in the last heat of the last day of the event waiting period. Win it or break it. Adriano de Souza and Jordy Smith were up and riding with different trumps under their belts. The Brazilian w [ ... ]


Guinness confirms Shawn Dollar's 61-foot paddle-in wave record
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Guinness World Records have officially certified Shawn Dollar's 61-foot wave, at the Cortes Bank, off the coast of California, as a new paddle-in world record.
The 30-year-old resident of Santa Cruz, California, caught the superlative wave on December 21, 2012 during a terrifying session at the Cortes Bank, a notorious offshore hazard to shipping located over 100 miles west of San Diego in international waters. A panel of experts measured the wave at 61 feet on the face. Dollar caught th [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

Kitesurfing in India kicks off with the Red Bull Quila Surf
20/05/2013
article thumbnail

The first kitesurfing competition will hit India, between 23rd-25th May, at Mandwa. The Red Bull Quila Surf will showcase 70 Indian kitesurfers in the water.
The costal district of Raigad is ready for action. The Red Bull Quila Surf is the first ever kitesurfing competition in the country and anxiety grows. Ines Correia, the 2011 Kite Surf Pro (KSP) World Tour champion from Portugal, has been invited to judge the riders based on speed, maneuverability and attitude.


"Death loop" kills kitesurfer in Quebec
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

A 32-year-old kitesurfer has passed away when he was sailing on the Lake of Two Mountains, in Quebec, Canada.
Julien Blanchard was enjoying a kitesurfing session in the part of the river delta widening of the Ottawa River, in Quebec, when he suffered what is commonly called the "death loop". The rider was dragged to his death on the lake, after fell and being kept underwater by his kite for about 20 minutes.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


World's best tube riders fly to El Gringo
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

The 2013 IBA GoPro Arica Chilean Challenge kicks off on the 17th May, in Arica, Chile, at the infamous El Gringo bodyboarding spot.
The third stop of the 2013 IBA World Tour is a Grand Slam Series events, which means there's a lot at stake. With $40,000 in prize money and 2000 points for the winner, Chile is a must. Moreover, the Arica Chilean Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary and all riders will be trying to claim the trophy, in front of thousands of hardcore bodyboarding fans.  [ ... ]


+ Bodyboarding News