The first Australia/Asia IBSA qualifying event at the Coolum Wedge Festival 2025

The biggest two weeks in world bodysurfing, the Coolum Wedge Festival followed by the IBSA World Tour Finals, kicked off on Friday the 25th April with the Australasian regional QS qualifier to make the 2026 Bodysurfing World Tour Finals team.

Competitors were greeted with perfect conditions, offshore winds and a metre of solid swell – the perfect canvas for these artists to paint. The men’s semis featured a who’s who of Australasian body surfing prowess – Captain Jack, Jack Macrae, DK Daddy Seal, Henry Sheridan, Chris Ando, Jarrod Bridges, Glen Murphy and the Big Aussie Jae Marr.

The finalists separated themselves in their semis and it was on for the top four bodysurfers in the region. Dylan Kelly showcased his unmatched barrel riding but just ended up a tube too short. Henry was buttery-smooth in all his rides, such a unique and pleasing style. But it was the two that would then go on to finish first and second in the world championships later in the week that ultimately fought this out. Jack grabbed the finals by the scruff of the neck, pulling a flat spin into a barrel on his first ride and from that point on it was an uphill battle to dethrone him. Chris gave it a good shot with his own front flip, but needed another good wave. Jack took the lead in the 2025 Qualifying Series ratings with Chris second. A week later they would reverse these positions in the World Tour Finals where they again finished 1-2 with Chris our new world champion. Australasian bodysurfing is in good hands!

The women’s final showcased four women that also would feature in the WTF later in the period. Caroline had travelled from Victoria a couple of days earlier to acclimatise to the conditions. It paid off well with Caroline making her first QS final and continuing to improve every showing. The other three, Lyla, Ally and Katy have really established themselves as the leaders of the region. Ally and Lyla are the only women that have won multiple titles over the last three years, and they again showed why in the final. But the undisputed winner was Katy Collins, her two scoring waves were the stand-out of the competition and she deservedly took the crown. A few days later she would win every heat in the WTF she was in on the way to the final and a 3rd placing. These women are continually pushing the girls to improve their skills and rides – the performance difference between just this season and last is marked - and Australasian bodysurfing continues to go from strength to strength because of this as they drag the performances of their younger team mates with them.

IBSA Ranking

OPEN MEN

1. Jack Lewis (Australia) 1000

2. Chris Anderson (Australia) 860

3. Henry Sheridan (Australia) 730

4. Dylan Kelly (Australia) 670

5. Jarrod Bridges (Australia) 610

5. Glen Murphy (Australia) 610

7. Jack MacRae (Australia) 555

7. Jae Marr (Australia) 555

9. Harry Gordon (Australia) 500

9. Andy Doe (Australia) 500

9. Jacob Marr (Australia) 500

9. Justin Ray (Australia) 500

13. Mitch Attard (Australia) 450

13. Adam Baldwin (Australia) 450

13. Liam Toohey (Australia) 450

13. Patrick Smithers (Australia) 450

17. Mark Lyddiard (Australia) 400

17. Patrick McNally (Australia) 400

17. Nigel Boyd (Australia) 400

17. Nathan Connors (Australia) 400

17. Chris Kerrisk (Australia) 400

22. John Cathcart (Australia) 375

22. Jerome Petit (Australia) 375

22. Caleb Sciascia (New Zealand) 375

22. Magnus McManamey (Australia) 375

22. Ryan Berling (Australia) 375

27. Paul Saffigna (Australia) 350

27. Jeremy Winer (Australia) 350

OPEN WOMEN

1. Katy Collins (Guam) 1000

2. Ally Zillman (Australia) 860

3. Lyla Crouch (Australia) 730

4. Caroline Cotton (Australia) 670

5. Anna-Lei Petit (Australia) 610

5. Tallow Crouch (Australia) 610

7. Jennifer Reed (Australia) 555

8. Eloise Davison (Australia) 528

8. Pipi Cathcart (Australia) 528

10. Taylor Wood-Durrant (Australia) 488