“The Beast Has Been Unleashed”
Nomad Bodyboards & Emerald Surf City presents the 2009 Shark Island Challenge.
For over 20 years Cronulla’s Shark Island has been a proving ground for high performance Bodyboarding in Australia.
In 1997 this proving ground was extended to a selected international contingent, when a hardcore group of Cronulla locals created a competition format they named The Shark Island Challenge. The concept was simple: Invite the world’s best riders to Cronulla to surf Australia’s original wave of consequence to compete in a “winner takes all” shoot out.
Over the past 12 years the Shark Island Challenge has become one of the most prestigious events in the world, synonymous with some of the most breath taking competition images in bodyboarding history. For many years the SIC has been voted by bodyboarders world wide as the most prestigious event on the planet, and has been seen as one of the toughest contests on the tour. This year will be no different.
Although there have been some changes to the competition format over the last 7 years, the 2009 Shark Island Challenge will reinstate the original competition format: 16 wildcard invitees riders and 4 trialists will have the opportunity to compete for a $10,000.00 prize purse at Australia’s most prestigious event in a “winner takes all” shoot out.
The return to an invitees only format will ensure that the world best riders, whether they are underground, well travelled, sponsored, recluse wave hunters, or past or present world champions will be part of these selected few who will be on hand to take on the best SINGLE DAY of waves held over a 3 week waiting period.
Contest Director Mark Fordham said of SIC 2009 “The criteria for the event has always been the heaviest move on the most critical section wins. We are confident that we will get the right mix of riders to make a spectacular event”.
So in 2009 the Shark Island Challenge returns – ‘The Beast Has Been Unleashed’ - the original concept where a champion of champion is crowned. Through expressions of interest riders will nominate to be one of the chosen 16 of the world’s most feared hard nuts will be granted wildcards to tackle one of Mother Nature’s most feared waves. To top it off four riders from the Brett Young Memorial Trials (to be staged at Cronulla Point 4th -5th of July) will be flung into the arena to mix it up with the freaks....
Contest dates are as follows
The Brett Young Memorial Trials > 4th – 5th of July
To be staged at Cronulla Point – trialists will compete for the honour of gaining entry into the SIC 2009. For further details and / or confirmation please contact contest organiser Mark Fordham before 3rd July 2009 on 0449 253 240 or via sharkislandchallenge@iinet.net.au
The Nomad Shark Island Challenge > 7th – 27th of July
A 1 day event stage at Shark Island - 20 of the world’s most talented riders taking on the Beast.
It is with great pleasure that we present the 16 invited riders who will be challenging one of the world’s most feared waves.
The chosen invitees have been categorised into five groups:
Locals: Dave Ballard; Christian Riguccini; Ben Sawyer; Alex Leon
Other Australians: Jason Finlay; Chris James; Jose Marquina; Kira Llewellyn; Ewan Donnachie; Alex Bunting; Adam Luehman; Nick Ormerod
Internationals: Mike Murphy (USA); Jared Houston; (South Africa)
Sponsor wildcards: Glen Sullivan (Emerald); Glen Thurston (Nomad Bodyboards)
This year’s Prize Purse is one of the most exciting to date. Cash / exotic trips and mind blowing adrenalin. Nomad Bodyboards and Emerald Surf City have led the way by injecting $10,000 AUD for the “winner take all format. Secret Sumatra, The Surf Travel Company and Red Bull have also jumped on board
First Prize - $10,000 winner takes all
Best Barrel - 2 weeks stay at The Secret Sumatra – Surf Camp
Best Move - 2 week boat trip courtesy of The Surf Travel Company
Best Wipe Out - $500 – if you want it, it’s all yours....
Longest tube time - Buzzing over Sydney in the world renowned Red Bull Stunt Plane | 
