August 4 - 31, 2024: Issue 633

 

Australian Boardriders Battle - Series 12 Launch


Tru Starling in the ABB Grand Final. Photo: Surfing Australia

Thursday August 15, 2024

The 2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle is set to be bigger and better than ever as it launches into a twelfth season kicking off on September 14 at Trigg Beach in Western Australia.

In what is the biggest club surfing series in the world, the Hyundai ABB pits the best boardrider clubs from each state against one another in an epic nine-leg surfing battle that culminates in a world-renowned Grand Final where Australia’s best boardrider club is decided.

In March 2024 NASA, North Steyne BRC and North Narrabeen BRC made it through to the Quarterfinal heats and North Narrabeen BRC for made it through to the Semifinals in the Series 11 Grand Final.

Visit: Local Australian Boardriders Battle 2024 Grand Finalists Looking Forward To Next Comps.

The series will again travel to all corners of the country with events to be held at Coffs Harbour in NSW, Phillip Island in VIC, the Sunshine Coast in QLD, Fleurieu Peninsula in SA, Clifton Beach in TAS, Wollongong in NSW, North Narrabeen in NSW and Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast in QLD for the Grand Final, which is the biggest surfing event in the country.

Tully White from Torquay Boardriders Club in Victoria said: "After making our first ever final we cannot wait to have another crack at a big result. With surfing being such an individual sport, when we get the chance to surf as a team it's very special."

Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, said: "The Gold Coast is excited to welcome back the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final in 2025, after a hugely successful first year at our iconic Burleigh Heads break.

"Surfing is in our DNA on the Gold Coast with many a World Champion calling this city home including our recent silver Olympic medallist Jack Robinson, expect to see more future champions competing right here come March 2025."

Andrew Tuitahi, Marketing and Product Director of Hyundai Motor Company Australia, said: "Australian boardrider clubs are the heart of grassroots surfing, playing a pivotal role in their communities by bringing people together through a shared passion for the sport. As we enter our fourth year as the title partner of the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series, we're incredibly proud to support the ongoing growth and development of grassroots surfing.

"Following a successful 23/24 season, we're eager to enhance the event experience for fans and competitors alike. We can’t wait to see the 42 clubs compete for their spot in the final showdown at Burleigh next year."

Club surfing is where many of our Olympic and Championship Tour athletes started their own surfing journey, with the likes of Joel Parkinson, Danny Wills, Jay Thompson, Josh Kerr, Ace Buchan, Stephanie Gilmore, Tyler & Owen Wright and Sophie McCulloch having competed in previous years, as well as Challenger Series and Qualifying Series athletes.

Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater, said: "The Hyundai ABB brings surfers who are at different stages of their career, from juniors to World Champions, together to surf in a team format in front of thousands of spectators. There really is no event quite like it, and we look forward to seeing the twelfth season of the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle get underway at Trigg Beach in Western Australia next month."

2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series 12:

Event 1 - ABB WA - 14th Sept - Trigg Beach, WA

Event 2 - ABB NSW North - 28th Sept - Coffs Harbour, NSW

Event 3 - ABB VIC - 6th Oct - Phillip Island, VIC 

Event 4 - ABB QLD -12th Oct - Sunshine Coast, QLD

Event 5 - ABB South Aus - 19th Oct - Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

Event 6 - ABB Tas - 26th Oct - Clifton Beach, TAS

Event 7 - ABB NSW South - 2nd Nov - Wollongong, NSW

Event 8 - ABB NSW Central - 9th Nov - North Narrabeen, NSW

Grand Final - 8th - 9th March 2025 - 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.

The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series is proudly supported by naming partner Hyundai and support partners Jim Beam, ACCIONA, Ruffie Rustic Foods, BC™ Protein Bars, 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.

The NASA Team in the Grand Final weekend earlier this year. Photo: NASA