For the first time in its history, the prestigious international bodyboarding event, the Shark Island Challenge, will feature an all-female heat - and not only is it all women, it’s an all Kiama lineup.Local bodyboarders, Lilly Pollard and Sophie Leathers are set to compete in the Cronulla-based event, which can be held on any day between April 28 and June 30. The one-day contest is scheduled to run in the biggest and best swell conditions, selected in collaboration with Swellnet surf forecasters. The Shark Island Challenge attracts elite bodyboarders from around the world and is renowned for its dangerously shallow reef and unpredictable waves.“It’s a pretty intimidating wave - it breaks on super shallow reefs, and you can only really ride it on a high tide because otherwise the rocks are all exposed,” said Pollard.“But when those big swells come in, there’s a perfect barrel most of the time. If you choose the wrong one, though, you’ll be trapped and thrown onto the reef. It’s one of those exciting, spectacular waves that’s worth the risk.”Lilly with a big smile on her face doing what she loves. Photo: Shaun CotterellThis will be Pollard’s second time competing in the event, after being invited to compete in 2024 in a male-dominated draw.“I had a crack at the contest last year. The conditions were really rough and I didn’t quite get the waves I wanted. Coming up against the men was pretty full-on, but I was stoked and honoured to be involved,” she said.At 44, Pollard had considered stepping back from competition, but the opportunity to surf in the event again - this time with another woman - was too good to pass up.“I haven’t been competing much, and I haven’t really been bothered to do many events. But with an invite like this, I can’t say no. It’s got me training again, it’s got me excited again to give it another go. I’m nearly 45, I’m getting injured all the time - but I still love the sport and getting barrelled.”She’ll be joined by 27-year-old Sophie Leathers, another Kiama local and rising talent. Pollard says she’s proud to share the lineup with her.“We’ve got Sophie joining me this year, and she’s a young Kiama local who I’ve just watched go from strength to strength. She’s a really great person - so much fun to be out in the water with - and I’m excited to share waves with her.”Sophie Leathers in action. Photo: Lance MorganLeathers said she was surprised but thrilled to be invited to compete.“First of all, I didn’t think at all that they would do a women’s division, and second of all, I definitely didn’t think I would be invited. So it was pretty cool to get the call-up,” she said. “I feel like there are so many bodyboarding waves where there’s both risk and reward, and I’ve definitely been getting out of my comfort zone a lot in the last few years. So I’m just going to take it as it comes.”Having looked up to Pollard for years, Leathers said sharing a two-woman heat with her is something she never imagined.“It’s just insane. There’s definitely no way 14-year-old me would believe it if I told her, ‘Hey, one day you’re going to surf Shark Island with just Lilly Pollard.’ It’s going to be sick. It’ll be a good rivalry, but I’m just going to be out there enjoying it, taking it all in and learning from her.”Both athletes hope their participation in the event’s first-ever all-female heat will help inspire the next generation of women in bodyboarding.“It’s kind of a tricky time in bodyboarding right now,” said Pollard. “We had a big boom in the ’90s when the sport was really strong and there were lots of female riders, but it’s gone a bit quiet over the years. There’s very little money or support left in the sport for girls.”She hopes moments like this one help turn the tide.“You see a lot of young girls riding surfboards because that’s where all the money is, but I reckon bodyboarding is more fun. If we can get events like this happening, get some more media for the women, and show how fun and exciting it is - maybe we’ll get more girls into bodyboarding.”To find out when the heat runs, keep an eye on the Shark Island Challenge social media pages - and don’t forget to support our two local legends in Heat 7.
