Anyone who got out and enjoyed the sunshine over the weekend may have noticed a few tents and a large crowd perched on Cronulla Point on Saturday morning. Apart from getting some fresh air and enjoying the picturesque day we had, some world-class bodyboarding action was also on offer.
The Shark Island Challenge was finally given the go-ahead at 8am on Saturday. The month-long waiting period for the competition started June 14, and was extended due to lack of surf. The extension came and went, still with no waves. Until finally, exactly 2 months later, Shark Island turned on and did its thing. Sort of…
The Challenge retains a reputation for putting the best riders in the world in some of the most ridiculous waves in the world, the best example being the Challenge of 2001 (check footage here). This year conditions were ideal, with a big tide and a warm winter day but the swell lacked the brutality seen in years past. Instead, riders were greeted with beautifully groomed, playful 3-5ft waves.
Local boys Shaun Pyne and Sam Strachan went head to head in the third heat of the day, with Brendan Newton and Nick Omerod making up the 4-man heat. Shaun managed to progress to the semi finals with Omerod, as Strachan bowed out in third place. Not a bad effort for a 16 year old. Fellow local and former world number 2 John Showell couldn’t find the waves to progress through his heat earlier in the day.
Local attention now centred on Shaun Pyne, who exploited his local knowledge to edge through to the final along side former world champions Damian King and Ben Player. Completing the 4-man final was Ryan Hardy, a man who many regard (including his peers) as the best rider in the world.
The waves started to weaken and the final was very inconsistent, but it was an awesome conclusion to a highly anticipated contest. Ryan Hardy took first place with two incredibly executed waves. Ben Player scored a perfect 10 point ride with a huge air-forward over the reef, but it wasn’t enough. Shaun couldn’t find the waves he needed and finished fourth behind Damian King.
You can view a full gallery of action photos here.
Congratulations go out to Shaun for a thoroughly deserved finals berth. It was the culmination of 4 years of relentless effort to earn his spot along side the best in the world, and there’s little doubt he won’t win next year. Congratulations to Sam Strachan too. His spot in the Challenge just highlights how far he’s come in the past year. The kid is ripping.
For a more complete wrap up check out Fluidzone.
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Was there a massive teddy bear that went for a swim or was mascot for the Shark Island Challenge, I saw 2 body boarders lugging a bear down The Esplanade on Saturday morning!