The upcoming Blackmores Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championship event, to be held in Byron Bay from March 17–22, has had a funding boost.
The Byron Bay Boardriders (BBB) presented co-organiser, Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart, with $2,000 last week, which was donated as part of money raised from the twelfth annual Skullcandy BBB Charity Golf Day.
Golf day event organiser, Mark Krackowizer, told The Echo that normally, funds raised from the event are used to fund BBB Junior programs and to help local families in need.
Krackowizer said, ‘The club has made an exception this year to use some of the $11,000 raised this year to assist with the adaptive pro event’.
Happy to help Mono
‘Our club is pleased to assist Mono with this event for multiple reasons. These events are very complex and costly to stage, owing to the support that these athletes need to compete and be safe during the event.
‘Additionally, they showcase the high levels of achievement and skill of competitors.
‘It is also an opportunity to help a Mono bring this event to our town – he is a BBB life member, a five times world champion, and a big part of our local community.
‘We are very happy to have the opportunity to assist.
Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart said, ‘We are also very thankful to the local surf community for sharing the lineup with the competitors for the time they are here.’
The adaptive surfing event will be the first professional adaptive world tour event to be ever held in Australia.
First in Australia
There are already over 100 competitors from 19 nations registered for the event. The event is the first of five events to be held throughout the world during 2024, with the end result of crowning an Adaptive Pro World Champion at the end of the year.
Krackowizer adds, The event will be a festival, and includes a parade of nations, bands and other social events throughout the week. Volunteers and donations are welcome’. Some of the sponsors for the event are Byron Bay Malibu Club, Byron Bay Services Club, Beach Suites, Byron Bay, Women in Waves, SCU, Stone & Wood, and Byron Shire Council. For more info, visit www.adaptivesurfproaustralia.com.
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