King Charles Praises Bondi Surf Clubs as Prince Harry Rides Waves in California
King Charles has made a notable splash during his royal tour of Australia, highlighting his admiration for the country’s surf culture. Just days after a video emerged of his son, Prince Harry, showcasing his surfing skills, King Charles sent a warm message of support to the surf clubs at Bondi Beach.
During a visit to Sydney’s Parliament House, King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, marked the Bicentenary of the New South Wales Legislative Council. In a conversation with Kellie Sloane, Member for Vaucluse, the King expressed his appreciation for Bondi’s surf clubs, referring to them as “amazing.”
Kellie Sloane later shared the heartwarming exchange on social media, noting her excitement over the brief conversation. “It was wonderful to have a brief chat with the King as he helped us celebrate the bicentenary of NSW Parliament. #bonding #nswpol #RoyalVisitAustralia,” Sloane wrote, including a nod to the famous Bondi surf community.
The King’s comments come at an interesting time, coinciding with the release of new footage of Prince Harry enjoying the waves at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in California. The video, shared by professional surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer, shows Prince Harry expertly riding a six-foot wave. The impressive footage has been making headlines, particularly as Harry’s surfing prowess has drawn attention from both the surfing community and royal watchers.
The Surf Ranch, where the video was filmed, is located in Leemore, California, more than 100 miles from the ocean. Despite its inland location, the facility is celebrated for its advanced wave technology, creating the world’s most premier artificial waves. It is also the only artificial wave recognized by the World Surf League for elite competitions.
Raimana Van Bastolaer, a Tahitian surfing legend, shared the video of Harry’s surf session with a warm caption, “In Tahiti, we still call you Prince Harry,” adding a touch of affection to the clip, via GB News.
This connection between King Charles’ appreciation for Bondi Beach surf clubs and Prince Harry’s recent surfing footage has sparked a wave of interest, further underscoring the royal family’s ties to global beach culture.