Kiwi to World Longboard Championships

Being the first Kiwi to qualify for the WSL World Longboard Championships back in 2013 was incredibly exciting. Having placed 9th at the 2013 event, then 13th at the 2014 event, I've re-qualified for another crack at the title, competing against the top 32 long boarders in the World.

The WSL World Longboard Championships take place on Hainan Island (China) from the 5th to the 12th of December 2015 (http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2015/mlt).

In order to be in top competitive form, I'll also be attending the LQS Taiwan Open of Surfing from the 25th to the 29th of November 2015, which a number of the World Championship competitors attend.

All funds raised toward my goal will go toward flights and accommodation - if I'm lucky enough to raise in excess of my goal, this will be spent on food and other travel expenses. To be able to compete at the pinnacle event for my sport is an amazing opportunity for me and I'm doing all I can to bring home the title. I'm currently well into my training regime, and am going surfing as often as possible while balancing running my surf craft repair business Ding King.

My awesome product sponsors have thrown in a few prizes, so to thank you for your donations there'll be the chance to win some great gear:

- Morris 9'1 TK Pro Longboard - will be awarded to highest donation (valued at $800). See pictures (board with Silver Fern) - this was the board I competed on at last year's Championships.

- Smith Optics Sunglasses & hat - will be awarded to second highest donation (valued at $300).

- 2x O'Neill summer packs (hat, backpack towel) - to be drawn as spot prizes following the close of this cause.

- 2 x O'Neill ponchos & 3 x O'Neill hats - to be drawn as spot prizes following the close of this cause.

- 1 x Smith Optics hat - to be drawn as spot prizes following the close of this cause.

- $75 massage voucher with Victoria Mathers of Move Well - to be drawn as spot prize following the close of this cause.

- 4x sets of surfboard racks from Rack-It - to be drawn as spot prizes following the close of this cause.

- FCS fin, Gorilla Grip, FCS Grip & FCS longboard leg rope - to be drawn as spot prizes following the close of this cause.

For further info on how I've performed at the World Champs in the past please see below:

"Thomas Kibblewhite (NZ) provided the day’s biggest upset when he defeated number 2 seed Ned Snow in an early Round 3 heat. Kibblewhite would eventually fall to Peru’s Piccolo Clemente in a close Round 5 encounter. This is Kibblewhite’s first ASP World Longboard Tour event and his giant killing efforts have been impressive."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/9466367/Kiwi-surfer-impresses

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/3193/thomas-kibblewhite

My other credentials include:

- 2011 NZ National Longboard Champion

- 2012 NZ National Longboard Champion

- 2012 Hyundai Longboard Tour Winner

- 2014 NZ National Longboard Champion

- 2015 NZ National Longboard Champion

You can check out a video of me surfing here: http://vimeo.com/59865381