I've felt the thrill of competing in the Australian bodyboarding circuits, worked in the surf & bodyboard industry, and watched with a heavy heart as the sport I adore slipped into lessened popularity. I have seen friends turn professional in this sport and knew all too well the struggle they faced due to the lack of financial support available for competitors.

Bodyboarding, a form of wave riding created by Tom Morey, deserves to be recognized and appreciated in the same league as other wave sports. It's a sport that has generated legends like Mike Stewart, Spencer Skipper, Ryan Hardy, Mitch Rawlins, and Jono Bruce. Nonetheless, its potential is hindered by lack of recognition and investment, leaving our athletes unsustainable, and the sport's future uncertain.

This petition seeks to help future generations of bodyboarders get the recognition and compensation they deserve. We need help from sports bodies to standardize the pay across the board and create an industry foundation devoted to their athletes' wellbeing and progression. Recognition on the grand stage of the Olympics would not only expand public awareness but also bring the practical benefit of greater investment in the sport.

Let's work towards a bright future for the sport and create a thriving platform for our future legends to emerge. Bodyboarding has brought joy and inspiration to many, and it's time now to give back to the sport that means so much to so many. Please sign this petition and help us put bodyboarding in the spotlight it deserves.