Pittwater Online News

November 1 - 30, 2025: Issue 648

The Irukandjis WIN Eight Medals and Team Copper at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships!

Kirk Watson (Mona Vale - grew up on Scotland Island) on his way to another World Championship medal. Credit: ISA /Sean Evans

Australia has capped off an outstanding week at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships, claiming Team Copper and delivering a string of world-class performances across multiple divisions.

Leading the charge for The Irukandjis was Joel Taylor, who won GOLD, taking home his second World Title in the Prone 1 division. 2024 World Champion, and teammate Kai Colless secured a close SILVER, highlighted by what many called the wave of the event. In a remarkable showcase of Australian dominance, both athletes scored perfect 10-point rides in the final.

Colless opened fiercely, dropping an 8.5 and a 9 in the first seven minutes to put Taylor in a combination. Taylor responded with precision, riding just two waves — a 9.83 and a perfect 10 — to flip the heat and put Colless into a combo with ten minutes remaining. Colless launched a late charge, landing his own perfect 10 in the final minute after a priority change, but Taylor’s earlier scores held firm to secure the world title.

Joel Taylor opened up about his win, speaking about the final, his rivalry with Kai Colless, and what this year’s title means to him:

"Having a rival and teammate like Kai pushes me and my surfing to the next level. We have completely different styles and approaches, but we bring out the best in each other in competition. Our rivalry helps progress the sport to the next level, which is exactly what’s needed as we push for the inclusion of para surfing in the Paralympics for Brisbane 2032."

"I felt relieved when I won my first world title, and it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. My second title feels like more of an accomplishment. I worked really hard all year, in the water and in the gym, to get the win. I thought the second would be different, but to claim the title — and the only individual gold medal for Australia — in solid waves, and in the way I did, makes it just as special as the first."

“So stoked to win another World Title and just stoked to have a rival like Kai [Colless] that’s able to push me and push the sport to the next level,” Taylor said. “The word inspiration gets thrown around a lot in society and you look around on the beach here today and it is truly inspirational what these surfers are able to do. We want to showcase that to the world in the Paralympics and our next best bet is at home, in Australia, in Brisbane. Hopefully we can do it. I’ll be 52-years-old but I’m going to be doing everything I can to be there and represent my country on the bigger stage.”

Taylor and Colless earned their perfect 10s in very different ways. For Taylor, it came through pure technique, drawing impeccable lines on a long left that featured a flowing carve and multiple critical turns down the line. Having already scored a 9.83 for a similar ride, Taylor’s 19.83 heat total ranks as the second-highest ever recorded at the WPSC, with Colless’ 19.50 the third.

Colless opened the Final with an 8.50 and backed it up almost immediately with a 9.50. It was all spectacle for the 18-year-old’s perfect wave that closed the heat, however. Undoubtedly the best wave in WPSC history, Colless delivered two huge vertical hits, the first of which saw him free-falling out of a massive section.

“I had some good scores, and then Joel [Taylor] had me comboed with like 14 minutes left, so I just thought I may as well look around and find one good wave,” Colless said. “I just happened to find that one in the last minute. I literally don’t even really know what happened, to be honest. Like, I hit it and I fell so high up and landed, and then I saw another section and hit that one. But yeah, it was pretty crazy.”

In the Vision 1 division, Kirk Watson continued Australia’s medal run with a strong, composed performance to take SILVER.

Australia added two BRONZE medals through Emma Dieters in Women’s Kneel and Grace Kennedy in Women’s Prone 1, each showcasing consistency and competitive grit throughout the week.

Rounding out the tally, Cliff Gralton placed Copper in Prone 2, while Jack Jackson and Sarah Gibson each collected Copper in the Men's and Women's Vision Impaired 2 divisions, respectively.

In total, Australia finished the event with eight individual medals plus Team Copper — a testament to the depth, resilience, and competitive spirit of the Para Irukandjis team.

Having delivered one of the team’s defining performances, Kai Colless captured the emotion and intensity of the week, saying:

"I’ve loved surfing in the Adaptive Tour this year, but there’s something really special about surfing as part of the Australian Team and representing my country at the ISA Championships. Every team member surfed their hearts out this week in some tricky conditions, and we had every surfer on the beach cheering loud and proud, every single day."

"I'm so stoked to have landed the wave of my life, and helped show the world what Para Surfers are capable of! It was wild coming in and seeing the whole beach erupting. Stoked I was able to do Australia proud and help the team come home with copper medals!"

Para Surfing has experienced incredible growth since the first ISA World Para Surfing Championship in 2015 (originally titled the World Adaptive Surfing Championship), and continues to grow. During that period, the ISA has continued to refine the Para Surfing Classification system in line with IPC requirements and encouraged its network of 116 member nations to host national and regional competitions.

Learn more about the ISA World Para Surfing Championships: HERE

Emma Dieters surfing her way to a Bronze Medal in the Women's kneel, in solid surf! Credit: ISA /Jersson Barboza

2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship – Team Irukandjis:

Mark 'Mono' Stewart - Para Surf Kneel
Toby Begg - Para Surf Kneel
Emma Dieters - Para Surf Kneel
Kai Colless - Para Surf Prone 1
Joel Taylor - Para Surf Prone 1
Grace Kennedy - Para Surf Prone 1
Cliff Gralton - Para Surf Prone 2
Jack Curphey - Para Surf Prone 2
Annie Goldsmith - Para Surf Prone 2
Kirk Watson - Para Surf VI 1
Steve Fox - Para Surf VI 1
Jack Jackson - Para Surf VI 2
Sarah Jane Gibson - Para Surf VI 2

Team Australia at the Opening Ceremony. Credit: ISA /Sean Evans

Mark 'Mono' Stewart and Pittwater's Em Dieters were co-Captains for the team, the first time Emma undertook this role.

Em said prior to getting on the plane:

''I am stoked to share that I have the great honour of Captaining the team for the first time alongside Mark 'Mono' Stewart who has a wealth of knowledge and experience for me to learn from in that role.

I appreciate the trust and support the team have shown me and I will doing my very best to help lead the team to their best results possible both as an individual and as a team!

We have a strong team of athletes, 13 all up with their all important support crew.''

Team Irukandjis did not compete in every event, however, they all made Finals or Semi-finals in those they did compete in.

Finals: Team Irukandjis:

Men prone 1

Kai Colless
Joel Taylor

Men Prone 2

Cliff Gralton

Men Vi1

Kirk Watson

Men Vi2

Jack Jackson

Women kneel

Emma Dieters

Women Prone 1

Grace Kennedy

Women Vi2

Sarah Gibson

Semi-Finals

Mark 'Mono' Stewart

The 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) officially opened on November 2nd with the Parade of Nations, Opening Ceremony and first heats of competition all taking place beneath Oceanside’s iconic pier. Classic autumn conditions featured a four-to-five-foot combo swell for Main Round 1 to be completed in men’s Stand 1 and Stand 2, along with women’s Stand 2.

Nearly 140 athletes, representing 24 national teams, and 9 different Para Surfing Sport Classes featured in the Parade of Nations. The teams marched down The Strand with flags flying high and chants ringing out, before gathering in the Junior Seau Beach Amphitheatre for the ISA’s signature Sands of the World ceremony. One member from each national team poured sand from their local beach into a single container, a symbol of the peaceful gathering of nations of the world through surfing.

Australia's co-Captains, Emma and Mark. Credit: ISA /Jersson Barboza

The nation of Belgium joined the festivities for the first time in this event, becoming the 33rd nation represented among the 36 national teams that have competed in the championship’s history. Women’s involvement in the event continues to grow year-on-year. This edition features the highest percentage to date, with women making up more than one third of the athletes.

The tenth edition of the WPSC is the second major ISA event to be held at Oceanside, after the ISA World Junior Championships was held here in 2015. Oceanside’s Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce joined ISA Executive Director Robert Fasulo in welcoming the athletes and declaring the event open.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“This championship is our yearly pilgrimage where para surfers from around the world come together in peace through surfing. I want to thank the city of Oceanside for hosting us, and I want to thank all the delegations, national teams, athletes, friends, and family who are here. This really is the United Nations of para surfing.

“As you know, the ISA has been working since the very first WPSC 10 years ago to include para surfing in the Paralympic Games. This has not been an easy job, but when things get complicated, we paddle harder to catch that wave.

“Our aim now is inclusion for Brisbane 2032. So stay connected, do your part, use your social media, and let’s make every effort we can, together, so this dream becomes a reality. I wish you all the best in the competition.”

During the closing day ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“What we saw this week in Oceanside was truly special. The level of surfing, the camaraderie, the joy, it was incredible. This is the United Nations of para surfing, and it fills my heart every year. For ten years we have been building this movement together. The athletes keep pushing the sport to new heights, and the world is watching.

“We are more committed than ever to the growth and development of para surfing and we are so excited for the sport’s future. Our dream of joining the Paralympic Games is alive and strong. We are looking towards Brisbane 2032 with hope and determination. I want to congratulate every athlete. A few go home with medals, but all of you are champions, because you are here representing your countries. Long live para surfing.”

Full Results

Team

Gold – France

Silver – USA

Bronze – Brazil

Copper – Australia

Men’s Sit