Gavin Bellis may be a retiree surfing on the Gold Coast now, but the pro adaptive surf champion is a former Para Olympian and veteran.

PIC: World Pro Adaptive Surf Champion Gavin Bellis at the 2024 Byron World Pro Adaptive Surf Titles (PIC: Mia Armitage)

Gavin Bellis may be a retiree surfing on the Gold Coast now, but the pro adaptive surf champion is a former Para Olympian and veteran.
PIC: World Pro Adaptive Surf Champion Gavin Bellis at the 2024 Byron World Pro Adaptive Surf Titles (PIC: Mia Armitage)

Byron Bay’s inaugral World Pro-Adaptive Surfing Titles have been happening all week and you’re invited to join us.

The five-day international competition comes in the leadup to the announcement of the Olympic committee’s decision on whether to include the sport in the twenty twenty-eight Los Angeles event.

Discover the glorious community spirit driving the world of pro-adaptive surf as Mia Armitage speaks with organiser and world champion Mark Mono Stewart, other competitors ranging from a 17-year-old to a veteran, and event volunteers from Byron, the United States and Japan.

1. A ‘celebration of life’: British pro-adaptive surfer Spike Kane and Aussie world champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart launch Byron world titles event featuring British Pro Adaptive Surf competitor Spike Kane and World Pro Adaptive Surf champion and Byron World Pro Adaptive Surf Titles event director Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart

2. The 17-year-old Gold Coast grommet taking out world Pro Adaptive Surf titles featuring World Pro Adaptive Surf champion Kai Colless

3.    Founder of Veterans Surfers’ Association and Para Olympian star Gavin Bellis just hopes his daughters are proud of him  featuring Veterans Surfers’ Association Co-Founder and Para Olympian gold medallist Gavin Bellis

4.    Community counts for more than competition points, says French Pro Adaptvive Surf contestent featuring French Pro Adaptive Surf contestant Guillaume Collen

5.    No full disabled toilet facilities between the Gold Coast and Coffs, says World Surf Champion Pauline Menser featuring World Surf Champion Pauline Menser

6.    Imagine being in charge of water safety at an adaptive surfing competition: meet Adam Land featuring Pro Adaptive Surf water safety co-lead Adam Land

7.    Lifelong friends after just four days: the volunteers helping Japanese Pro Adaptive Surfer Tomoki Fujiwarafeaturing volunteers Yoichi, Taka and Minami

8.    ‘I want to hear their stories,’: World Surf Champion Steph Gilmore shows up to Pro Adaptive Surf Titlesfeaturing World Surf Champion Steph Gilmore

9.    Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed

*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org
Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN

PIC: 17-yr-old World Pro Adaptive Surf Champion Kai Colless (centre) with family at the 2024 Byron World Pro Adaptive Surf Tiitles (PIC: Mia Armitage)

Byron Bay’s inaugral World Pro-Adaptive Surfing Titles have been happening all week and you’re invited to join us.
The five-day international competition comes in the leadup to the announcement of the Olympic committee’s decision on whether to include the sport in the twenty twenty-eight Los Angeles event.
Discover the glorious community spirit driving the world of pro-adaptive surf as Mia Armitage speaks with organiser and world champion Mark Mono Stewart, other competitors ranging from a 17-year-old to a veteran, and event volunteers from Byron, the United States and Japan.
1. A ‘celebration of life’: British pro-adaptive surfer Spike Kane and Aussie world champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart launch Byron world titles event featuring British Pro Adaptive Surf competitor Spike Kane and World Pro Adaptive Surf champion and Byron World Pro Adaptive Surf Titles event director Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart
2. The 17-year-old Gold Coast grommet taking out world Pro Adaptive Surf titles featuring World Pro Adaptive Surf champion Kai Colless
3.    Founder of Veterans Surfers’ Association and Para Olympian star Gavin Bellis just hopes his daughters are proud of him  featuring Veterans Surfers’ Association Co-Founder and Para Olympian gold medallist Gavin Bellis
4.    Community counts for more than competition points, says French Pro Adaptvive Surf contestent featuring French Pro Adaptive Surf contestant Guillaume Collen
5.    No full disabled toilet facilities between the Gold Coast and Coffs, says World Surf Champion Pauline Menser featuring World Surf Champion Pauline Menser
6.    Imagine being in charge of water safety at an adaptive surfing competition: meet Adam Land featuring Pro Adaptive Surf water safety co-lead Adam Land
7.    Lifelong friends after just four days: the volunteers helping Japanese Pro Adaptive Surfer Tomoki Fujiwara featuring volunteers Yoichi, Taka and Minami
8.    ‘I want to hear their stories,’: World Surf Champion Steph Gilmore shows up to Pro Adaptive Surf Titles featuring World Surf Champion Steph Gilmore
9.    Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed
*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at <a href="http://bayfm.org/">bayfm.org</a> Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN
PIC: 17-yr-old World Pro Adaptive Surf Champion Kai Colless (centre) with family at the 2024 Byron World Pro Adaptive Surf Tiitles (PIC: Mia Armitage)

2024 Byron World Pro Adaptive Surf Titles

Resonating stories and information from the Northern Rivers and afar. Join Community Newsroom reporters as they interview locals and guests from beyond the rainbow region. Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org

Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN

PIC: Mia Armitage interviews NSW Minister for Music, Minister for Night-time Economy John Graham

*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.

Resonating stories and information from the Northern Rivers and afar. Join Community Newsroom reporters as they interview locals and guests from beyond the rainbow region. Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.
Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at <a href="http://bayfm.org/">bayfm.org</a>
Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN
PIC: Mia Armitage interviews NSW Minister for Music, Minister for Night-time Economy John Graham
*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.

Community Newsroom Interviews

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you. 

Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN

Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com

Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage

Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed; Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne; Jim Beatson; Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more

listen to past episodes and interviews here.

PIC: Mia Armitage and Emma Setterfield-Smith

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you. 
Thanks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://cbf.org.au/about/community-media/">Community Broadcasting Foundation</a> for support.
Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN
Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com
Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage
Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed;&nbsp;Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne;&nbsp;Jim Beatson;&nbsp;Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more
listen to past episodes and interviews <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/community-newsroom">here</a>.
PIC: Mia Armitage and Emma Setterfield-Smith

Community Newsroom: weekly program

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you.Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN

Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com

Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage

Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed; Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne; Jim Beatson; Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more

listen to past episodes and interviews here.

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you.Thanks to the <a href="https://cbf.org.au/about/community-media/">Community Broadcasting Foundation</a> for support.
Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN
Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com
Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage
Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed;&nbsp;Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne;&nbsp;Jim Beatson;&nbsp;Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more
listen to past episodes and interviews <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/community-newsroom">here</a>.

Community Newsroom

Gavin Bellis Veterans Surfers Association Gold Coast

11:00 am - Community Newsroom

11:54 am - Community Newsroom

Community Newsroom  - 3 July 2026

We revisit the story of Wyuna 1, the yacht that captured the attention of locals after becoming stranded on North Belongil Beach for more than six weeks.

After several setbacks and plenty of community interest, the vessel has finally been returned to the water in a dramatic salvage operation that drew crowds to the shoreline.

We hear from some of the locals who witnessed the rescue effort and reflect on the community spirit that helped turn a challenging situation into a memorable moment for many across the Northern Rivers.

We revisit the story of Wyuna 1, the yacht that captured the attention of locals after becoming stranded on North Belongil Beach for more than six weeks.
After several setbacks and plenty of community interest, the vessel has finally been returned to the water in a dramatic salvage operation that drew crowds to the shoreline.
We hear from some of the locals who witnessed the rescue effort and reflect on the community spirit that helped turn a challenging situation into a memorable moment for many across the Northern Rivers.

Beached Yacht Wyuna 1 finally back in the water 

We look at what's next for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail after a major setback for the long-awaited project.

A joint funding application by Byron and Lismore councils for $42 million in federal support was recently rejected, leaving questions about how the rail trail can move forward.

Community Newsroom's Rod Chambers speaks with Byron Shire Councillor Michael Lyon about the funding decision, why supporters remain committed to the project and the options now being considered to help bring the rail trail to life.

We look at what's next for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail after a major setback for the long-awaited project.
A joint funding application by Byron and Lismore councils for $42 million in federal support was recently rejected, leaving questions about how the rail trail can move forward.
Community Newsroom's Rod Chambers speaks with Byron Shire Councillor Michael Lyon about the funding decision, why supporters remain committed to the project and the options now being considered to help bring the rail trail to life.

Gavin Bellis Veterans Surfers Association Gold Coast

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