Our very own Byron Bay surfing World Champion, Mark “Mono” Stewart has been featured in Grind TV’s prestigious list of 7 of the most inspirational surfers on the planet.
“I’ve been waiting 35 years for this event and finally … wooh!” That was Mono’s comment after winning a gold medal in the ISA World Adaptive Games last September.
Mono had lost a leg to bone cancer at age 15, but even during his initial 18-month chemotherapy treatment, he never contemplated not surfing.
“Even though I was sick, all I wanted to do was surf again,” he told Common Ground. “That’s what kept me going, just wanting to get out and surf.”
Mono had competed against able-bodied kneeboarders in competition in Australia, but representing his country and winning gold was the pinnacle of his career.
“The people associated with surfing, the amount of friends and inspirational people that I see, this week particularly,” he said afterwards. “I mean, I had a tear in my eye every day watching paraplegics just ripping.”
Other surfers featured in the List were:
- Jesse Billauer
- Paul D’Vorak
- Mike Coots
- Barney Miller
- Davi Teixeira and
- Bethany Hamilton
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Read more at http://www.grindtv.com/surf/7-of-the-most-inspirational-surfers-on-the-planet/#HjgjZBpkBhf8eTp0.99