The world's best kneeboarders will be hitting the waves at Dunedin's St Clair Beach this week.
The Kneeboarding World Championships, which started on Saturday as part of a week-long event, feature 80 of the world’s top kneeboarders.
Contest director Ben Kennings said while the sport made up the smallest percentage of athletes across the three wave riding codes - surfing, bodyboarding and kneeboarding - the international scene was a "tight knit" community.
"They’re all good mates and know each other," Mr Kennings said.
"The social side of the event is important to them and making sure they make those connections around the world."
Photo: Gregor Richardson
