Two years ago, after a six year hiatus, the Shark Island Challenge got back on track with an amazing win from Australian free surfer Ben Sawyer. Last year’s edition was special and a kind of a fairy tale with Hawaiian Mike Stewart coming on top, winning the event for the second time in his career.
This year, Mike Stewart, age 63, didn’t surprise the bodyboard fans as he lost in his quarter final heat against Andrew Lester, Michael Ostler, and Liam Lucas. Involved in the comp were a bunch of legends, as usual, names such as the Aussies Jase Finlay, Lewy Finnegan, Andrew Lester, Dave Winchester, Marli Dunn, James Kates, just to name a few; Hawaiians Jacob Romero and Tanner McDaniel, and even former world champion Brazilian Isabela Sousa who got to win the Ladies Division special heat.
Ben Sawyer, who as you all know, is a guy that puts a lot of his time ripping around the Sydney slabs, 
conquered his maiden victory at the Shark Island Challenge in 2024. Now, two years later, he did it again after getting a 6,33 and a 5,57 point rides in a final with not so many opportunities!
Final results:
01. Ben Sawyer 11,90 pts
02. Damian King 8,60 pts
03. Shaun Pyne 8,04 pts
04. Jack Baker 7,86 pts
Sunday and Monday, the days of the event, served to remind us that the Shark Island Challenge is an incredible event. Made of friends and boog lords who stay true to their roots and perfectly understand the water dynamic.
That’s it folks!
