Ryley Hoile has been bodyboarding for only just over two years but his natural talent was certainly on display to take out third place in the U16 division of the Australian Bodyboarding Titles.
The Titles were part of the Australian Surf Championships held at Port Macquarie beaches with about 500 surfers from around the country competing in a variety of events over 17 days throughout August.
Hoile, a Year 10 student at St Brigid’s Catholic College at Lake Munmorah, was representing his club North Central Coast Bodyboarders.
“I’m pretty stoked to say the least, and even to be competing in Port Macquarie for the Australian Titles,” he said.
“I’ve only been doing this sport for two-and-a-half years and I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d be representing NSW for the sport I live for and love.
“It’s a massive thank you to my sponsors Inspired Bodyboarding, Australia Dunes and Little Wonder Digital for supporting me and helping me get there.
“Also a big thanks to my biggest supporters, Mum and Dad, because without them I wouldn’t be able to surf and practice as much as I do,” Hoile said.
Another member of North Central Coast Bodyboarders, Scott Kitchen, who now lives in Port Stephens but still represents the club, was placed third in the Drop Knee Division of the Titles.
President, Dave Castle, said the club was just weeks away from welcoming some of Australia’s best to the Central Coast for the Barron Viner Memorial Classic on September 17 and 18.
“It’s an annual event in honour of two of our members who have passed away, Matt Barron and Luke Viner, and it’s going to be the biggest bodyboard competition in Australia this year with about 110 surfers coming, some of them former champions,” he said.
“An ex local girl from Shelly Beach, Lilly Pollard, who’s a professional bodyboarder and won the Pipeline event this year, will be competing in the women’s division.
“It’s a pretty big event with some of the best surfers in Australia and the last time it was held in 2019 we had people from Japan and Brazil that year, but this year because of Covid I don’t think we’ll be getting any internationals.
“We’re hoping to hold it at Soldiers Beach again, but it depends on the waves on the day, or it could be at Lakes Beach or North Entrance as alternatives,” Castle said.
The Barron Viner Classic is the second leg of a series called the Memorial Triple Crown with other events held in Forster and culminating in October at Port Macquarie.
Sue Murray
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