The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Central NSW qualifier at North Narrabeen has been won by Freshwater Boardriders Club. After a great day in the sun at North Narrabeen Beach, the Australian Boardriders Battle Central NSW qualifier sees other local boardrider clubs qualify to progress.
The crew from Freshwater Boardriders comprised Lex O'Connor, Fletcher Kelleher, Tommy Myers, Layne Beachley, and Sam Brown.
Freshwater had multiple standout moments as they progressed through heats, but it was team leader Tommy Myers who carried his team to victory.
"This is probably one of the sickest days of the whole year., " Myers said. "Congratulations to all the other finalists and teams. We traditionally haven't always been in the final, so it feels good to start to get a bit of momentum and have some great juniors coming up through Freshy!"
North Narrabeen, Queenscliff, Bungan, North Steyne, Freshwater, North Avalon, Avoca, and Curly United have now qualified for the Hyundai ABB Grand Final, which will be held on March 8-9, 2025, at Burleigh Heads, QLD.
Surfing NSW Contest Director Corey Ross said: "We were super excited to head to Narrabeen for stop number two of the NSW Regional Qualifiers for the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle.
We had a record 16 clubs locked in to compete for the prize of being the Central Region's best boardrider club. Waves were fun for the event, in the two-foot range with light winds all day. There was plenty of exciting action, along with a number of sponsor activations at the event, so there was lots to do for everyone."
As can be seen from the photos from Surfing Australia, the Australian Boardriders Battle rounds are proving to be a great family event for all ages and a chance to see some of the best local surfers in action.
Final Results:
1st - Freshwater Boardriders
2nd - North Narrabeen Boardriders
3rd - North Steyne Boardriders
4th - Avoca Boardriders
Awards:
- Boost Mobile Wave of the Day Winner - Talia Tebb (Avoca)
- Oakley Prize Performer Award - Jordy Lawler (North Narrabeen)
- Dometic Top Performing Junior Award - Sol Gruendling (North Steyne)
- Jim Beam Club Spirit Award - Freshwater Boardriders Club
Clubs that competed in the event included Merewether, Norah Head, Dee Why, Avoca, Freshwater, Wamberal, North Avalon, North Steyne, Curly United, East End, Queenscliff, North Narrabeen, Bungan, Long Reef, Mona Vale, and North Shelly.
Local team crews were:
North Avalon Surfriders Assoc (NASA)
Van Whiteman
Shane Carroll
Ollie Heinz
Molly Shepperd
Isaiah Vaeleki
Bungan Boardriders
Darcy Crump
Luca Elder
Milla Brown
Lucy Brown
Phil Hoile
Mona Vale Boardriders
Harry Stevenson
Jasper Welsh
Archie Hellmich
Mark Lacroski
Chloe Bosnjak
North Narrabeen Boardriders
Nathan Hedge
Davey Cathels
Jordy Lawler
Jesse Daish
Ruby Trew
Long Reef Surfers Association
Baxter Hurt
Steve Clements
Gabi Spake
Ruben Casteigt
Jonny Grainger
Dee Why Surf Fraternity
Ben Zanatta
Gor Ozharosky
Isaac Buckley
Luke McManus
Brooke Carlson
Curly United
Harley Ross
Brett Moore
Ed Aubrey
Mikel Bang
Lola Aspiosis
Freshwater Boardriders Club
Lex O'Connor
Fletcher Kelleher
Tommy Myers
Layne Beachley
Sam Brown
Queenscliff Boardriders
Sampson Coulter
Winter Vincent
Austin Ware
Hunter Sutcliffe
Georgia May Hicks
North Steyne Boardriders
Sol Gruendling
Blake Levett
Dayyan Neve
Izzy Higgs
Tiaan Cronje
2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series 12:
- Event 1 - ABB WA - 14th Sep - Trigg Beach, WA
- Event 2 - ABB VIC - 6th Oct - Phillip Island, VIC
- Event 3 - ABB QLD -12th Oct - Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Event 4 - ABB South Aus - 19th Oct - Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
- Event 5 - ABB Tas - 26th Oct - Clifton Beach, TAS
- Event 6 - ABB NSW South - 2nd Nov - Wollongong, NSW
- Event 7 - ABB NSW Central - 9th Nov - North Narrabeen, NSW
- Event 8 - ABB NSW North - 16th Nov - Coffs Harbour, NSW
- Grand Final - 8th - 9th Mar - Burleigh Heads, QLD (entry by qualification)
About Australian Boardrider Clubs:
There are more than 230 boardrider clubs across the country, where members gather regularly, often monthly, to organise grassroots competitions at world-class waves such as Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. The boardrider club phenomenon in Australia has made a significant contribution to the nation's competitive success on the global stage, fostering close-knit communities that support young surfers on their journeys to becoming the next World Champions.
Surfing Australia last year expanded the Grand Final format to include 42 boardrider clubs (previously 24) from across Australia, with more than $115,000 in total prize money up for grabs throughout the series.
There are three specialty awards presented at each regional round: The Jim Beam Club Spirit Award, Oakley Prizm Performer Award and Boost Mobile Wave of the Day.
The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series is proudly supported by naming partner Hyundai and support partners Jim Beam, ACCIONA, Ruffie Rustic Foods, BC™ Protein Snacks, Kennards Hire, Oakley, Dometic, Boost Mobile, Blackroll and Surfers for Climate.
The Hyundai ABB Gold Coast Grand Final is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
For more information, please visit australianboardridersbattle.com.
A few more happy snaps of the on sand variety:
