Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships: A Global Showcase of Resilience and Talent
- Written by Sage Goldsbury
The BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships returns to Byron Bay on March 23 – 30, marking the first stop on the Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Tour (AASP). Now in its second year running, the event is Australia's first international adaptive surfing competition, bringing together athletes from around the globe. With a focus on inclusivity and determination, the championships highlight the transformative power of sport.
Among the standout competitors is 4X World Para Surfing Champion, best-selling author, and motivational speaker, Sam Bloom. An inspirational figure in adaptive sport, Bloom will launch her 2025 competitive season in Byron Bay, reinforcing her status as one of the world’s top adaptive surfers.
Well-known for her major motion Biopic ‘Penguin Bloom’, Bloom’s journey is both inspiring and extraordinary. In 2013, during a family holiday in Thailand, she fell six meters through a rotten balcony railing onto concrete, suffering severe spinal cord damage that left her paralysed from the chest down. The accident led to immense physical and emotional challenges, yet through sheer determination, she found the strength to rebuild her life. Her rediscovery of the ocean led to her joining the Australian Adaptive Surf Team in 2018. Since then, she has earned four World Para Surfing Titles, proving that passion and perseverance can overcome even the greatest obstacles.
Reflecting on the significance of adaptive surfing, Bloom shared:
“Adaptive surfing has had a huge impact on my life post-injury. Returning to surfing has provided a sense of freedom and connection with the ocean that I thought was entirely lost. There is a sense of support and camaraderie among adaptive surfers internationally, each of whom has faced immense challenges to reconnect with the ocean and embrace surfing in a whole new way.”
The Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships serve as a key platform for advancing the sport and increasing its visibility. The event will play a pivotal role in decision-making for the Paralympic Committee, with hopes of Surfing’s inclusion at Brisbane 2032.
Consistently delivering ideal conditions, Byron Bay provides the perfect backdrop for competition. Bloom expressed her excitement about visiting the Bay –
“It’s an iconic surf location, and it’s a real honour as an Australian to welcome surfers from all over the world to experience Byron Bay’s natural beauty!”
The event schedule features key highlights, including the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony on March 23rd, a ‘Come and Try Day’ hosted by Surfing Australia on March 25th, and elite competition through the week, building to finals day on March 30th.
Highly anticipated ‘Come and Try Day’ offers an exciting opportunity for new participants with physical disabilities to experience the joy of surfing and gain inspiration to compete in the future.
As the first major competition of the season, the BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships promises an inspiring display of athleticism and resilience. With competitors like Sam Bloom leading the charge, the event continues to push the boundaries of adaptive surfing, proving that the sport is not only thriving but also breaking new ground on the world stage.
Pic - 4X World Para Surfing Champion, Sam Bloom, will return to Byron Bay for the BrightSky Australian Adaptive Surfing Championships. Credit: AASP.
