Junior bodyboarders’ chance to compete on the world stage

TWO of the best of young bodyboarders on the Far North Coast will have the chance to compete on the international stage with a world tour event coming to the Gold Coast.

Bodi Hugin and Kai Sauge will be part of the International Bodyboarding Committee Men Rising Series future pro’s competition at Tugun on July 5-6.

The 17-year-olds aspire to compete internationally after they finish year 12 this year.

The Gold Coast competition is the first juniors’ bodyboarding world tour event in Australia.

The winners will earn a spot in the IBC Junior Men Grand Final, to be held this October at the Gran Canaria Fronton King in Spain.

Bodi and Kai have won national junior competitions and are part of the local Headlanders Bodyboard Club.

“Most of the other tour events are overseas, so to have something here is awesome,” Bodi said.

“The waves in Spain are perfect for bodyboarding, so it would be great to get there.

“I live near Minyon Falls, so I’m a bit of a weekend warrior, but I love it and just want to compete as much as I can.”

The event will feature 32 young riders from across the country with competitors travelling from Japan and Portugal.

Gold Coast Bodyboard Club is hosting the event with support from Inverted Bodyboarding and Dan Leyshon

“Securing an Australian leg of this international tour is a big win,” event organiser Silas Ganciar said.

It’s a testament to our tight-knit bodyboarding community and the legends who’ve helped develop these rising stars.

“We’ve been working to get this event for years and it’s on the world tour calendar now.

“Everyone from around the world is excited to come here and we’re hoping it’s just the beginning

“Bodhi and Kai are very talented, they’re both technical, train hard and aren’t afraid of the big waves.”

The event will have professional judges and will be live streamed around the world.

Kai, who lives at Lennox Head, goes into the event as the current Australian Bodyboarding Titles Juniors Champion in his age division.

“I’m really looking forward to it, our club numbers are growing and it’s a good time to be involved,” he said.

“Bodi is tough, we go head-to-head in most competitions, and it will be awesome to do this one with him.”

The pair have been supported by Headlanders Bodyboard Club president Dave Winchester, who is a former world tour competitor.