Para surfers to represent Australia on the world stage

FAR North Coast surfers Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart and Joel Taylor have been selected to represent Australia as part of the Irukandjis team at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships.

Thirteen of the best para surfers from around the country will compete at Oceanside, California, from November 2–9.

Byron Bay’s five-time world champion Stewart is competing in a world championship event for the tenth time. The 61-year-old surfs with one leg in the kneel division and has been a driving force in bringing adaptive surfing to the world stage.

He was named Para Surfer of the Year at the Australian Surfing Awards in 2022 and won the inaugural Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour event in Hawaii.

“I’m stoked to again represent Australia as an Irukandji at my tenth ISA World Championship,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to travelling and competing as part of this team and hopefully reproduce a gold medal performance.

“It’s an expensive trip as an adaptive athlete, with no government assistance, but thanks to Surfing Australia for launching a fundraising campaign to assist the whole team.”

Taylor is back in the team after winning silver at the world championships last year.

He has been in a wheelchair since a surfing injury in 2001 and only started competing in para events in 2022.

The 43-year-old won the Australian title the following year and has gone on to become a world champion and advocate for adaptive surfing.

Eight surfers won medals at the world championships last year, with Australia finishing third overall.

“This year we have a bigger and stronger team,” Australian coach Josh Fuller said.

“I know all the competitors are driven to bring another gold home for Australia and for themselves.”

Donations to support the team can be made via the Surfing Australia website at asf.org.au/projects/surfing-australia/2025-irukandjis-isa-para-team.