Mindarie’s Ebony Schell has become the first West Australian to win three consecutive Australian Bodyboard Championship titles, further establishing her as Australia’s top open women’s bodyboarder with her latest victory in Port Macquarie, NSW.
“I’m stoked that I could back it up,” Schell said. “The atmosphere of the contest is what draws me in each year. It brings bodyboarders from across Australia together.”
In the high-stakes final, Schell faced challenging conditions with well overhead waves, strong currents and tricky onshore winds. “The waves were big and difficult to read, so it came down to strategy and a lot of paddling,” she explained. “It was a close final, and all the girls did an amazing job.”
Schell credits her success to passion and preparation. “Being in the water every day and starting strong with two solid scores helps ease the pressure for the rest of the heat,” she noted.
This year’s championship was particularly special for Schell who values the community spirit of the event. “Winning for a third time was pretty cool but seeing all the female bodyboarders come together is what I love most.”
The level of competition in women’s bodyboarding is on the rise, and Schell has noticed the shift. “The level of female bodyboarding is Australia is getting better. The girls are pushing harder, which is great to see.”
Schell praised the camaraderie among the WA team, highlighting how traveling together strengthens their bond, and expressed gratitude to Surfing WA and her family for their unwavering support and inspiration.
Looking ahead, Schell is setting her sights on new challenges, including the upcoming IBC Bodyboarding World Tour event in Portugal from September 3-8. “I’m aiming to gain more international experience at this event, and next year I’ll give the World Tour a go,” she added.
For aspiring bodyboarders, Schell’s advice is simple: “Just go for it. Don’t worry about what others think. Find a friend to surf with and remember to have fun.”
In other results from the Australian Bodyboard Championship, Ebony’s father, Glenn Schell, achieved a commendable third place in the Over 45 Men’s division. Kyle Schubert also made his mark with a semi-final finish in the Under 18 Junior Men’s division.
Additionally, Surfing WA Team Manager Tim Thirsk was honoured with the Tom Wilson Spirit of Bodyboarding Award for his outstanding contribution to the sport.
Open Men’s- John Cruikshank (NSW)
Open Women’s – Ebony Schell (WA)
Under 18 Junior Men – Kai Sauge (NSW)
Under 16 Cadet Open – Archer Thoms (NSW)
Under 14 Grommet Open – Hardy Fletcher (NSW)
Over 35 Masters Mens – Mitchell Wallace (NSW)
Over 45 Men – Nathian Davis (NSW)
Drop Knee – Jimmy Leayr (NSW)
For FULL RESULTS click through to LiveHeats HERE
