Bodysurfing, The Next Sport In The Olympics?
COASTALWATCH | Event
Whomp Off Australia
Video by Dean Jezard
Report thanks to Rikki Gilbey & Dave Archer
Last weekend Sydney's Northern beaches played host to the first Whomp Off Australia event. It was a team focused bodysurfing event organised by Rikki Gilbey, founder of WAW Handplanes.
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"Over the last 12 months, there has been a rise in the number of active bodysurfing groups using social media to organise local sessions." Said Garage Handplanes, Dave Archer. "The first real gathering of these tribes occurred earlier this year during Whomp Camp at Treachery Beach. Whomp Off Australia was another gathering of these tribes for a fun team comp. The day couldn’t have been better, with an overnight swell increase making Narrabeen deliver its best dredging, hollow, barrel spitting best. It also delivered a raging North-South river-like current which added a degree of difficulty for the team competitors."
"The teams event was held at North Narrabeen and competitors took to the water and were scored in teams rather than individual scoring." Said Archer of the format.
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"The swell peaked at 4-5ft and the conditions were perfect to run the inagural event." Said event organiser Gilbey. "Over 40 bodysliders from all over Australia showed up and put on an epic showcase of what can be done on the face of a wave, in a barrel and in the ocean with just your your body."
It was the Wommin Wompers and The Whomp Social club who took the win and the first ever title.
Overall, the day was extremely entertaining. The Narrabeen wave, peaks up close to shore giving spectators a nice close view. The quality of the bodysurfing over the day was extremely high.
Follow @Whomp_Off_Austalia Instagram to find your local club and stay in the loop.
Perfect conditions for the inaugural event, Photo provided by Dave Archer
Photo provided by Dave Archer
Jake Rosenbrock, Photo provided by Rikki Gilbey
Sam Christopher, Photo provided by Rikki Gilbey
Matt Dowdell, Photo provided by Rikki Gilbey
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