The 2022 Australian Bodysurfing Classic Powered By DaFiN & Stealth Swimfins
A few weeks back the team behind WAW Handplanes held their annual body surfing tournament the Australian Bodysurfing Classic (formerly the ‘Whomp Off Australia’) at Eloura beach in Cronulla. We were treated to a beautiful day with blue skies, offshore winds, and clean 2-3 footers hitting the legendary banks of the shire where a range of competition formats were run to find an overall winner. Events included the individual heats, team challenge, longest ride and the iconic ‘fin sprint’ relay held on the sand which always provides a laugh!
With 13 body surfing teams entered including the big names in from Hawaii, Team DaFiN and a host of other Aussie clubs such as the ‘Cobras’ and the ‘Newy Bodysurfers’ the action was on from the get-go with the individual heats at 7am.
Co-main event sponsor Stealth Swimfins were represented by a crew consisting of cult bodyboarding legend Steve ‘Bullet’ Mackenzie, surf life-saving champion in Greg ‘Boddas’ Bodkin and eight other ‘misfits’ who were led around the beach by the man in charge Julio Acurio.
DILAN CARESTIA of Stealth Bodyboards at the Australian Bodysurfing Classic
Some of the Stealth Army squad at the Australian Bodysurfing Classic 2022
In the end the Hawaiin’s were too good for the rest of the bunch finishing with an average score of 8.43 across all events for the day. Finishing second was the Cobras on 7.89 and rounding out the podium were the Budgy Boys with an average of 6.24.
Although they may not have won the competition, The Stealth Army did provide a lot of excitement when they opened the doors of their van and started unloading box after box of brand new Stealth Swimfins, one for every competitor in the competition.
Their biggest hit were the Stealth S2 Supersofts which went out like hotcakes. Available in two colourways, Sand/Army Green and Turquise/Papaya, these fins are a combination of two rubber durometers (the measurement of rubbers ‘hardness’) which are used in the fin where differing levels of stiffness are required.
They were designed with one thing in mind. Comfort, and that is why it makes such a great swim fin for bodysurfing. The rubber used in the new Stealth Fins ‘Super Soft’ reduces the likelihood of cramping and fin cuts without sacrificing power. Having tested them out myself I can comfortably say you could spend hours on end wearing these fins, the foot pocket is so soft yet feels nice and snug around your heel!
Based on the original shape of their S2 Swimfin which at the time of production, (and still today) a benchmark in swimfin design. The supersoft’s, like all Stealth fins are crafted with 100% Malaysian rubber and feature an asymmetrical foot pocket to produce a perfect fit. It has a straight blade for improved acceleration and reduce twist to the ankles and knees as well as having blade rail ridges and angled rails to transfer energy with ease and efficiency.
Born from years of experience in the watersports industry, Stealth Fins aim to offer the best of its knowledge, experience and feedback to everyone that loves comfort, quality and performance in an affordable swimfin.
“We were looking to make an all round swimfin, something that everyone who loves getting in the water can use. Far too often we here people saying that they can’t find a comfortable fin so we thought it was time to make one that people could wear all day and not come in with sores or cramped feet!”
Julio Acurio, the head of Stealth Fins.
So what’s the difference with these new supersofts you may ask? Julio says the key is the combination of rubber,
“It’s the way we have moulded this fin with two different types of rubber. In the foot pocket and heel strap we have used a really soft compound that really improves comfort, however does not weaken the fin at all. To maintain power in the fin we used a stiffer compound in the blade to ensure the it still has great drive and acceleration”.
“We are really stoked with how this fin has turned out. We’ve had people test these out bodysurfing Cape Solander as well as other lesser known spots in the area and the feedback has been awesome. “
Julio Acurio, the head of Stealth Fins.
It’s also great fin for those who are just ocean lovers, everything from distance swimmers to surf photographers, bodyboarders and bodysurfers to water photographers and lifeguards!”
