KIAMA successfully hosted the world kneeboard titles earlier this month.
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A total of 117 surfers from 11 nations gathered in Kiama for the week-long festival.
- The World Kneeboard Championships proved a boost for Kiama.
Corrimal kneeboard surfer Albert Munoz won his second open world title, beating Wollongong’s Chayne Simpson in a close contest at “The Wedge” at Surf Beach.
The man-on-man final was the culmination of an exciting week of surfing at the 2015 ISA World Kneeboard Championships.
A total of 117 surfers from 11 nations gathered in Kiama for the week-long festival.
The competition took place from September 13-20.
Competitors hailed from the USA, Tahiti, New Zealand, France, Spain, South Africa, England, Japan, Ireland, Brazil and throughout Australia for the event, which is held every two years in various locations around the globe.
The event started with a Welcome to Country and traditional “mixing of the sands” of each of the 11 competing nations with all the participants at The Pavilion.
Competition started the next morning at Bombo Beach.
The competition stayed at Bombo for three days, before moving to The Wedge.
The swell picked up and good, solid waves greeted the surfers from the Thursday onwards.
Munoz had to beat Cronulla’s two-time world champion, Gavin Colman to make the final, while Simpson had to face five-time world champion, Simon Farrer of Shellharbour.
Munoz ultimately edged out his good friend by three points to take out the title.
There were also world titles handed out in a number of age divisions, starting at the under-16 cadets through to the over 64 immortals.
They were as follows: Open Albert Munoz, Australia; Women: Karelle Popkke, Tahiti; Cadets: Jared Lewis, New Zealand; Juniors: Tom Novakov, Australia; Pro Juniors: Matt Novakov, Australia; Senior Men: Albert Munoz; Masters: Gavin Colman, Australia; Grand Masters: Simon Farrer, Australia; Veterans: Terry Day, Australia; Kahunas: Wayne Jennings, Australia; Legends: Philippe Klima, Tahiti; Immortals: Paul Burridge; Tag Team, Australia.
The event was hailed as a success, interstate and overseas competitors taking in the sights the region has to offer, and a number reportedly spending up to three weeks in town.
Organisers thanked Destination NSW for their support, and Kiama council for their assistance.
The next world titles will be held in Spain in 2017.