The Beast Has Been Unleashed
posted on 9th May 2009
Nomad Bodyboards & Emerald Surf City presents the 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
[email protected]
The only other guaranteed entry is via the Brett Young Memorial Trials. Entries can be downloaded from the
Brett Young Memorial Trials event page.
SPONSORS FOR THE 2009 SHARK ISLAND CHALLENGE ARE
1. Nomad Bodyboards
2. Emerald Surf City
3. Riptide Bodyboard Magazine
4. Secret Sumatra
5. Human
6. Limited Edition Fins
Event info please email -
[email protected] 1508 views
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