Local, event visionary, and competitor in Byron’s Pro-Adaptive Surfing Championships Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart delivered a perfect 10-point ride for a long-running barrel in the closing seconds of the Thermos Para Surfing Kneel Men’s Final, earning himself the win and the Thermos Wave of the Day Award.
‘It’s my home break, so I already had the wave in mind. There wasn’t long left, and when the right one came, I went. I was deep in the barrel for a while, maybe got a little greedy, but I knew I had to come out of it, so I quickly made an exit!’ he said.
Showing the world
‘I look forward to this event every year. It brings everyone together. Having the international para event alongside the Australian Para Surfing Titles gives local athletes a chance to show the world what they’ve got before the international competition begins.’
Mono continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of adaptive surfing in Australia. His campaign in 2026 added another chapter to an already decorated career, securing his eighth Australian Para Surfing Title.
Among the emerging talents is Annie Goldsmith (SA); Finn Banks (NSW) claimed victory with a commanding 13.67 heat total in the Para Surfing Visual Impairment 2 division; and and World Para Surfing Champion, best-selling author, and motivational speaker, Sam Bloom (NSW), once again showcased her class, claiming her fourth Australian Para Surfing Title.
Find out what’s on for the rest of the week at: www.adaptivesurfproaustralia.com.
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