RYAN

Ryan Hill-Smith is a 16 year old local bodyboarder who is gearing up to head out on the International Bodyboarding Championship World Tour! He is currently raising funds through the Australian Sport Foundation to help him achieve his dream of bodyboarding on the World Tour with the best in the world!

Hey Ryan, Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in bodyboarding?

Hey, my name is Ryan, I am a 16 year old bodyboarder from the Coffs Coast. I started bodyboarding when I was 10 years old. At this time I was playing soccer with all my friends from school but the sport became a bit boring to me and I wanted to do something else. I was doing a little bit of surfing at the time, and my Dad was a bodyboarder so I wanted to give that a shot and I became very passionate towards it.

What does bodyboarding mean to you? Bodyboarding means a lot to me. As unfortunate how small of a sport it is, it is very good because you get to know everyone in the community very well.

What have been some of the highlights so far in your bodyboarding career?

My best achievement so far would definitely be winning the Juniors Box Fest Competition in 2022. I have also got a 2nd in the Open Mens, 3rd in Under 18’s at NSW State Titles, 4th in Juniors and 2nd in Open Men's Elites at this year's Box Fest 2023.

Championship World Tour, just like a world tour in any sport, is a big achievement. To be able to be on the big stage and compete against the best of the best at an international level would be insane to do.

What would it mean to you being able to compete in the IBC Junior World Tour?

WOULD BE INSANE TO DO.

Can you tell us about the IBC Junior World Tour and why it's important to you?

The International Bodyboarding

To be able to compete at this level would be an incredible experience as well as going to these places around the world and getting to surf world class waves and meeting a lot of new people.

Can you describe your training routine and how you're preparing for such a competition?

I have been out in the water nearly every day no matter what the conditions to be prepared for whatever the day throws me. When out in the water you can be seen sporting some fairly rad haircuts in competitions. Who's your hairdresser and where did the best bad haircut competition start?

My hairdresser is either myself or my group of bodyboard mates from up and down the East Coast. The main hair cutter has to be Tye George, a Shoal Bay local, he always manages to give the best (worst) haircuts to everybody.

What inspired you to start a fundraising campaign for the competition, and what are the costs involved?

My friend Paul Ven Dem Boom and my Mum convinced me that I should go on the World Tour and when we saw the costs we instantly started up my ASF (Australian Sport Foundation) fundraising campaign to help get me there.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the bodyboarding world?

In the bodyboard scene there are 2 local chargers that really inspire me to get out there and send everything, these 2 guys are Dion Myers and Scotty Mason. What advice would you give to other young people who are interested in getting into bodyboarding or pursuing their passions?

To the younger people getting into it, don’t give up on it even if people bully you for lying down and not standing up. Keep going, it's such an amazing sport and you should shoot for your goals.

How can people support your fundraising campaign?

They can head to the Australian Sport Foundation and donate to help me achieve my goals of getting over to the World Tour and do this amazing experience. Thanks Ryan.