Staunton to surf at world championships

BELMONT surfer Melanie Staunton will wear the green and gold for the first time at the 2025 ISA World Longboard Championships.

Staunton is part of the four-person surf team representing Australia at El Sunzal in El Salvador in April and May.

Her selection for The Irukandjis comes after the 24-year-old made the open women’s final at the 2024 Australian Longboard Titles.

She also clinched the women’s title at the recent West Coast Wax Up surfing event.

Staunton said she looked forward to testing herself against the world’s best.

“It’s such a privilege to be able to go and represent your country, especially for a sport you love.

“We have some incredible surfers here in Australia and I look forward to sharing the passion we have for traditional longboarding at the ISA level.

“I’m most excited about coming together as a team and supporting each other, truly showing the Aussie spirit.”

She said the next few months will be filled with plenty of training, water time and enjoyment.

“It’s a very unique opportunity, so I am just focused on trying to lift my surfing to the next level, giving myself the best opportunity to go and rustle up a few feathers in the big league.”

Surfing Australia has set up a fundraising page to help offset some of the costs of Staunton and the Australian team’s trip to El Salvador.

Funds raised will go towards athlete travel costs, uniform costs, ISA registration costs, team manager and team coach or performance support staff.

To donate, head to asf.org.au/projects/surfing-australia/2025-irukandjis-isa-longboard-team