The upcoming Jeff Wilcox Memorial bodysurfing competition will welcome 140 competitors from all over Australia.

Over three days, from August 29 to 31, bodyboarders will be spinning, rolling, and flipping on the best waves the district has to offer.

Subsequently, in the lead up to the competition, local bodyboarders have been watching with increased interest the banks and sand movement on beaches between Tuncurry and Seal Rocks.

“At this stage Seven Mile Beach, Boomerang Beach, and Blueys Beach are all looking good. Ideally, you want a good, punchy bowl with a smooth glossy face, between four to five feet high,” explained the event’s director Aaron Dodds. 

Whilst talking to a bodyboarder is akin to talking another language, their enthusiasm is contagious, and talk of wedges, ripbowls, linking manouevres, and aerials soon invites you to come and watch.

Also watching with a keen eye will be the competition’s judges, such as head judge and 1993 World Champion Michael ‘Eppo’ Eppelstun. 

But despite boasting a prize pool worth up to $15,000, the event not only about winning. Tapping into Jeff Wilcox’s inspiring passion for sport and community during his short life, the competition is building for the future by holding a dedicated coaching clinic open to anyone under 16 years of age, with two of the world’s best bodyboarders at the helm, Heydon Da Boogie Man Bunting and Brenden Newton. Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry will also be running a free surf awareness and CPR course to raise safety awareness in and out of the water.

Also open to the public will be a cancer fundraising evening at the Bellevue Hotel on Saturday, starting with a bodyboarding filmfest, followed with entertainment by local bands Wish, Gallery Acoustics, and The Trapps.

Amongst the sponsors for the event are 12 local businesses, helping not only financially but practically on the day. 28 locals will be competing, alongside returning champions Shaun Peterson (Open Men) and Shane Griffiths (Drop Knee), and the current ladies world number 2 Emma Cobb.

This is the competition’s 17th year in action, and whilst it had a hiatus for 10 years it has come back in force. Bodyboarding numbers themselves are enjoying a rise in popularity at its grassroots level.

Three years ago Forster Tuncurry Bodyboarding Association began with 30 members. Today, it enjoys the support of over 100.

It is certain that some of those will be there to watch, if not compete, in the 2014 Jeff Wilcox Memorial at the end of the month.  

To find out locations of events on the day, ring the event hotline on 1300 552 085 or refer to social media.