Event Recap: West Coast Bodyboard Club Big Wave Challenge 2025

The sun rose on the morning of May 24th 2025 in Warrnambool, at the end of the picturesque Great Ocean Road. A small crew of bodyboarders ascended the concrete path to the viewing platform at Logan’s Beach with anticipation for what awaited them. The surf report ticked all the boxes and the sun was poking out from behind the clouds, but in the world of wave riding, you never really know until you get there. Today was the run day for the Big Wave Challenge 2025 and there was a lot riding on what they could see as they approached the deck.

Rewind 7 days. The committee follow the surf report closely on multiple different applications. Reviewing swell size, direction, wind speed and direction, tides and swell period. It needs to be big enough to meet the expectations of a Big Wave Challenge, and an offshore wind is the icing on the cake. It also needs to be on a weekend to allow for maximum participation, so that narrows the playing field significantly. The excitement and anxiety builds as a potential run day presents itself. Questions and doubts enter the chat: Will the forecast change in the next few days, will it be big enough, are there any banks?

The decision is made to announce the Green Light, It’s ON! Saturday May 24th 2025. Competitors are notified and committee goes into overdrive to get everything organised and ready for Go time. Finalising the run sheet, confirming competitors, judges, safety crew, jet skis, catering, sponsors, prizes, and admin. A lot goes into organising and running an competition like this, as with any major sporting event, but with the added stress of not knowing what the playing field is going to be like until that day!

Spectators on the deck at the iconic Logan’s Beach viewing platform. Image: Rodney Harris

The small set up crew arrive at the location and they’re greeted with clean 4-6 foot sets. The banks don’t look great but you can’t have it all. There’s a sense of excitement building among the crew as competitors start to arrive at the venue. Tents are erected, judging tables set in place, signage put up and the ski is launched. A safety briefing ensues and they’re ready to roll.

The first heat enters the water at 0800 sharp. There is a couple of welcome channels to paddle out in which helps riders to conserve energy and really send it into big gaping close out barrels. The swell rolls in at its leisure as competitors traverse the line up in search of that elusive corner. There are a few bombs ridden and a few pretty heavy take-downs.

Travis Craig looks to the beach on a solid one. Image: Rodney Harris

It’s mid morning and the Logan’s Beach car park is full. Who said bodyboarding was dead?

Heats 2,3 and 4 follow in a similar fashion with peaks and troughs in the swell, pumping sets followed by frustrating lulls. All in a days work for a competitive bodyboarder. There are some epic waves ridden, some huge wipe outs, impressive scoops, spins, rolls, ARS’s and inverts. One wave stands out among them all.

The event isn’t over yet. Competitors and spectators descend on the beach to participate in an expression session. Money is on the table for the best wave/best trick in a monitored free surf. There’s excitement on the deck as people in and out of the water comment on how awesome it is to see so many bodyboarders in the water together, having fun, expressing themselves in the best way they know how. A pretty sick invert is landed and that was that.

Luke Palmer holds a rail. Image: Putera Bagus Putu

Howy took home the giant cheque in the Big Wave Challenge with a hefty barrel that was wave of the day. Best scoop was awarded to the master of scoops Paddy O and worst wipe-out was a tie between Trav and Callum with 2 solid rinsings. Grant L landed an epic invert to take out the expression session.

An epic day was had by all. Big Ups to all the volunteers involved in organising such a spectacular and professional event. Keep the eyes peeled for 2026. It’s gonna be spicy.

Words By: Kylie Palmer @slab.magazine @the.slablab.store

Full event results on the west coast bodyboard club website: wcbc.au

Crew look on from the deck after a heavy wipeout. Image: Rodney Harris