Introduction
Brazil conjures up images of exotic beaches, tropical waters, beautiful women and fantastic parties. So it was no surprise when the news filtered through about Brazil hosting the 2004 World Waveski Championships that most of the world’s waveski surfers were pretty happy. The Brazilian Waveski Association, supported by the Brazilian Canoe and Kayak Federation, were the hosts for the 2004 World Waveski Championships.

After having successfully hosted the event in 1999, many of the waveski surfers were keen to get back and sample the waves, scenery, nightlife and camaraderie that Brazil has to offer. The Brazilians had been the first to successfully incorporate computerised scoring to waveski surfing in 1999. So entrants were keenly anticipating the efficient organisation that the Brazilians were becoming known for.

Prior to the start of the event the organisers were hugely disappointed when their major sponsor who had supported them for several years withdrew sponsorship for the competition. This was most unfortunate as the event had been pushed back to November (a less reliable swell period) to satisfy the sponsors.To their credit, the organising crew led by Contest Director Mario Silveira and his capable crew dug deep and planned a fantastic event on a shoestring budget.

The contest was centred at Praia Mole, one of Brazil’s most famous surf beaches on the island of Florianopolis. Florianopolis Island is located in the state of Santa Catarina approximately one thousand kilometres south of Rio de Janeiro. Traditionally a holiday destination for wealthy Brazilians, it is slowly making a name for itself with surfers as one of the most consistent surf destinations in Brazil.

There was added excitement prior to the contest with the pro surfers having just finished one of their WCT events at a nearby beach, Joaquina. The World Jetski Surfing Championships was also held at Praia Mole the weekend before the Waveski Championships. The locals were well catered for with International surf sports!

Many of the competitors began arriving the week prior to the contest to be greeted by a booming four metre swell. Florianopolis is almost exclusively beach breaks so the swell size created headaches for the contestants keen to try the contest site which at times resembled Waimea shorebreak. Most of the crew gravitated to Barra da Lagoa a nearby boat harbour providing some shelter from the swell.

The Aussies arrived in time for the big swell. The team were Kevin Marshall, Brett Cronin, Neil Decker, Travis Best, Ben John, Jackie Dillon, Paul O’Donnell, Steve Farthing, Melissa Hardy and Graham Roberts. The team were ably supported by a keen and enthusiastic support crew led by Penny Bedford, Renae O’Donnell, Ming Farthing and Cameron Friend. The Aussies spent the days scouting the Island for the best possible surf and the evenings around town searching for the best dinner venues. Eating in was rarely considered in a town where you could get a good restaurant dinner for as little as $5.00 Australian.