Geraldton: What the first Wave Rally was like - Paul van Bellen reports

"Wow what an event, the Geraldton Wave Rally 2025 was a big success! After a year of planning, we were greeted with a forecast of 15 knots, clouds and even rain! It’s very unseasonal weather for Geraldton in January, however the show had to go on. Thankfully 12 inflatable WindSups were purchased through Quatro Windsurfing and they saved the event! I was nervous the format would work, 10 minutes between heats starting at 11:30am till 6pm for 3 days straight. Would the sailors enjoy the big boards? Would the racing be fun? I needn’t have worried, it was a big YES to both questions from all sailors! It was like a scene from the year 1985, seeing everyone have fun in light winds on big floaty boards - and believe me, the racing was still pretty intense. Whether racing on a short board or a big inflatable, people want to win! The heat draw format was perfect, everybody got maximum time on the water as the league system was all about inclusion and not knocking people out of the event.

Friday and Saturday nights saw DJ "Cool Sounds Collective" keeping the party vibes going and we had some amazing sunsets right there on the beach. Next year we might have to have a dancing prize as were some serious moves on display!

On the final day of Sunday, the wind gods blessed the event with 20 knots in the afternoon, just in time for the Semis and Finals! The sailors were able to transition to their wave gear (rules of event: multi-fin boards and a sail with maximum 5 battens), which was a perfect end to the event. In the end Albert Pijoan won the Mega Final and became the ultimate Wave Rally champion. There were also a Women's and 3 Men's weight division champions as well.

It was a fantastic 1st Wave Rally event and the plan is to have Wave Rally II in January 2026. See you there!"

Words: Paul van Bellen

You can see the best pictures of the Wave Rally in the gallery above!

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Wave Rally 2025 results

Women's

1. Maria Schälin
2. Tania Holldack
3. Onike Basile

Men's lightweight

1. Anton Pain
2. Ben Ryan
3. Matthew Robertson

Men's middleweight

1. Albert Pijoan
2. Thewes De Boer
3. Logan Haggerston

Men's heavyweight

1. Mathias Moerman
2. Tim Fitzhardinge
3. Aiden Grove

Overall World Champion

1. Albert Pijoan
2. Thewes De Boer
3. Peter Kenyon

• More under waverally.org