Maroubra: Hawaiian bodysurfers beat best in Australia during Whomp Off
Despite being met by some thunder and lightning at Maroubra Beach, some of the best bodysurfers from across the world have show cased their skills during Australia’s biggest bodysurfing event.
Southern Courier
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Despite being met by some thunder and lightning at Maroubra Beach, some of the best bodysurfers from across the world have show cased their skills during Australia’s biggest bodysurfing event.
Whomp Off Australia 2019 was held on Saturday at Maroubra Beach for the first time, with 140 competitors taking part representing 14 teams.
The event is a teams competition and has been running since 2016 attracting competitors from across the world.
The defending champions, Team DaFin from Hawaii, which includes the current world champion Kanealii Wilcox, took part again this year and successfully defended their title.
However, they were pushed hard by a team from the northern beaches, The Cobras, who finished a close second.
“We had a bit of a wet and stormy start,” event creator Rikki Gilbey said.
“There was a flash of lightening as we were getting ready to begin and we had to put everything on hold for about half an hour.”
He said despite the poor conditions to start the weather improved during the day and everyone enjoyed themselves.
“Once we got going it was just amazing getting the community together,” he said.
“People were just making the most of it.”
He said not many spectators came down to watch during the morning sessions because of the wet weather but as the sun came out more people started watching on the beach.
The event is organised by WAW Handplanes, which make sustainable handplanes for bodysurfers.
The day was broken into four events including a tricks event, a longest ride event, an individual event featuring the best members from each team, and a fin sprint where teams race each other on the sand in their flippers.
Surfing NSW and Randwick Council supported the event.
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