Whomp Off Australia 2018
Held on Saturday 15th September at North Cronulla, Whomp Off Australia 2018 went down in perfect spring weather.
120 super keen bodysurfers from 3 countries and and 4 Australian states, turned up armed with buckets of enthusiasm and off the chart froth levels. The swell presented was super clean 1ft from NE, so not the biggest but hey, we’re bodysurfers and damn did we make the most of it.
This year, there were four main events: Tag Team, Tricks, Individuals (where each team picked their best bodysurfer), and the infamous flipper beach sprint relay.
Each team had a maximum of 10 members and scores were averaged out to create an overall team score.
The DaFin Hawaii team, which included the legend Mark Cunningham, went into this years event as hot favourites and as it happens, that respect was well-placed with the team from Polynesia taking the title with an emphatic display of next level bodysurfing.
Although the scores were extremely tight, the DaFiN Hawaii team thoroughly deserved the win. They came from afar and spread their aloha spirit, and it was an incredible sight to see to watch them rip in chest-high waves.
In second place was the Cobras from Avalon, and newly formed team and their first appearance at Whomp Off Australia, so a huge credit to these guys who are now crowned the best bodysurfing team in Australia. And it was the consistent podium finishers the East Sydney Bodysurfers who took home the bronze.
A word from the event organiser and WAW Handplanes founder Rikki Gilbey:
“For me, this years event truly represented what bodysurfing is all about, FUN. The waves may have been small but the smiles were huge. It was inspiring, humbling and whole heap of fun and Im so incredibly honoured to be a part of this amazing community. I’m proud to call myself a bodysurfer.
Heres to next year!!”
Final results (each club linked, click if you want to hook up)
Saturday Morning Body surf Club & City Beach Dugongs
The wild Cards
The Trojans
This years event was made possible and proudly Sponsored by WAW Handplanes, DaFiN, Vissla , Swellnet, Stone and Wood Brewery, Shark Island Brewery, Peak Chocolate, The Surf Collective and Loaf Sandwiches