Kiama Council has resolved to allocate $10,000 funding towards an APB World Bodyboarding Tour event.
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Council will partner with Surfing NSW and the Association of Professional Bodyboarders (APB) to secure the proposed competition.
The Kiama Bodyboard Slam, to be run between May 2 – 13, 2018, would be the first leg of the world tour, which visits Tahiti, Africa, Brazil, Portugal and Spain.
“It would be the first leg and would kick off the APB World Tour,” APB World Tour chief executive officer Alex Leon said.
“It would attract the top 24 male and the top 16 female bodyboarders in the world.”
Leon said Kiama was chosen for its central location and prime surfing conditions.
“Kiama has the best bodyboarding in Australia and it is conveniently located between Shark Island in Cronulla and Bawley Point in the Shoalhaven,” he said.
“Kiama is home to The Wedge, Surf Beach and Mystics, they’re perfect bodyboarding venues and known worldwide, a lot of people come out to surf these locations.”
The event would also work in conjunction with the Surfing NSW Bodyboarding State Titles in May.
As well as providing an outstanding bodyboarding spectacle, Leon said there would be plenty of events for locals to take part in.
“We’re looking at doing a big industry day at Surf Beach, community project work, school visits and tow-out air shows with jet skis,” he said.
“We will have coaching clinics as well, Australian champion Lilly Pollard will run some coaching seminars and teach the youth about bodyboarding, also Ryan Harding from the Margaret River will be offering some coaching.”