Waves and wins for world’s best at adaptive surf titles

CHAMPIONS have been crowned in perfect waves at Byron Bay for the Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships.

The world’s top adaptive surfers put on a spectacular display this past week in pristine three-to-four foot conditions at The Pass.

The event celebrated athletic excellence, determination and the continued rise of adaptive surfing worldwide.

Australian Kai Colless secured a huge win in the prone assist division, backing up his first Australian Para Surfing Title earlier in the week.

Consistently dropping high wave scores, Colless carried his form into finals day and posted an 8.17 in the event final.

“It was hard out there, and difficult to pick a good wave.

There were a few I had where I couldn’t get the end section on, but luckily, I found two that were really good. I even got a little barrel in there — it was sick!”

Five-time world champion Jocelyn Neumuller dominated the women’s prone assist field.

Neumuller was the competitor to beat throughout the event and raised the bar in the division by earning the event’s first perfect ten-point ride.

She earned a near-perfect 9.57 ride to convincingly win the title.

“It’s sick just to have the opportunity to surf waves at The Pass in a contest, and then to see the other girls ripping as well.

“It’s a real team effort in the Prone Assist division, not only in the contest but week to week to get out and train. It definitely wouldn’t be possible without the team here as well as my team back home that makes it happen, so a huge thank you to everyone who makes it possible.”

Jack Jackson made a mark in the adaptive surfing world and celebrated back-to-back wins in the blind/partial vision impaired final.

Jackson’s consistency and adaptability in the shifting conditions set him up well for success throughout the week.

“It feels so good to have back-to-back wins. I’m glad the swell picked up. It was so much fun. I’ve had heaps of ups and downs this event — day three was nearly flat, then we had pumping waves.”

Other event winners included Barbara Garcia (women’s kneel and any knee kneel and upright), Jesse Billauer (men’s prone assist), Colin Cook (above knee stand), Llywelyn Williams (any knee kneel and upright), Kenjiro Ito (below knee stand), Aitor Francesena Uria (blind/no vision), Aleli Medina (blind/partial vision impaired), Sam Bloom (unassisted prone), Michael Johnson (sit/waveski) and Adam Cross (Wounded Warriors/Veterans).

For full results, head to liveheats.com/australianproadaptivesurfing.