Gold Coast bodyboarder Mitch Rawlins claims top class comp at dangerous Aussie break

WITHIN 24 hours of winning a second Shark Island Challenge at one of the world’s most dangerous breaks Mitch Rawlins was back on the Gold Coast working at his surf shop.

Mitch Rawlins in action during the 2016 Shark Island Challenge on June 8.

Mitch Rawlins was back on the Gold Coast working at his surf shop within 24 hours of winning a second Shark ­Island Challenge at one of the world’s most dangerous breaks.

It is the everyday life of the Le Boogie shop, formerly known as Found Boards, and magazine owner who splits his time between competing in some of the most prestigious bodyboard events around the world and operating his Burleigh Heads ­business.

Bodyboarder Mitch Rawlins, who won the Shark Island Challenge in tough conditions at Cronulla, splits his time between competing at the world’s best events and his surf shop Le Boogie in Burleigh. Picture: Regi Varghese.

Rawlins hasn’t been part of the past three World Bodyboarding Tours, although he is considering rejoining it within the next year or two.

His status allows him to still compete in tour events and speciality competitions like the Shark Island Challenge in Sydney.

“It’s a balancing act like everything but I can still compete in events and get a few wildcards,” Rawlins said.

“It seems like the tour has got a big push, especially with a lot of European and South American countries having really healthy numbers of bodyboarders. I’m thinking the next year or two about giving it a go.”

Mitch Rawlins during the 2016 Shark Island Challenge. Pic Brett Costello

Rawlins conquered the big conditions the Shark Island Challenge produced off Cronulla, winning the five-man final in the last minute on Wednesday in 2.4m swell.

Rawlins was patient throughout the final but secured a 7.67 score in the last 30 seconds to take his two-wave total to 14.77 and beat Jase Finlay (13.56), Shaun Pyne (13.47), Shaun Peterson (9.74) and Lachie Cramsie (8.4).

Mitch Rawlins celebrates winning the 2016 Shark Island Challenge.

While it was special to win his second title at the event but it wasn’t the priority for Rawlins who spent the rest of the day surfing the break after the competition ended.

“I love winning but I don’t think I’m a good winner,” Rawlins said. “I’ve won quite a few contests around the world but I just love being a part of that atmosphere, part of the contest arena.

Mitch Rawlins at Snapper Rocks.

“Having people surfing good and being around good surfing that’s where I get my enjoyment.

“When the heat ends and you’ve won I just want the heat to keep going and people to keep surfing.

“It’s strange because people probably don’t usually see it that way but I enjoy the experience more than the win for sure.”

Shark Island is considered one of the world’s most dangerous surf breaks with big conditions forming heavy barrels that come out of the deep water and hit a reef covered in sharp barnacles.

Mitch Rawlins in action. Photo: Gregg Porteous

Mitch Rawlins surfs Margaret River.