Pittwater Online News

The new format for the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle tested athletes on Day 1 of competition at Burleigh Heads. The morning started with three to four foot waves offering plenty for Australia's best surfers to perform big manoeuvres and power turns.

Byron Bay Boardriders showed why they're the defending champions, winning Heat 1 despite their first surfer, 11-year-old Leihani Zoric, having to run the course twice.

"I went out there and didn't realise I got a wave before the heat had started. So I came in after that wave and had to do another lap and somehow I got back. I thought I'd wasted so much time," Zoric said.

The run up Burleigh Hill proved a challenge for almost every athlete, except a small few like Nathan Hedge (North Narrabeen Boardriders) who was able to sprint and overtake another surfer.

Byron Bay's power surfer, Dakoda Walters, said: "It was horrible! I used to be alright at cross country at school so I thought I'd be alright at this, but I'm stuffed. I feel like the first 30 metres is the hard part, all your lactic build up, you're just so fatigued from catching a wave and gotta try get a trod on straight away. It's crazy."

Ex-pro surfer, Josh Kerr (Snapper Rocks Surfriders) said: "I haven't run that far and that fast probably since high school. It definitely took the gas out of me for sure. I've still got a cramp in my left leg and it's an hour later!

Snapper finished third behind Scarborough BRC and Byron Bay to make it through to the quarterfinals.

"Burleigh is an amphitheatre. It's such a great spot to watch the waves just for the crowd to enjoy it, obviously it puts another whole element of surprise with the marathon run up and the rock jump. Luckily they've given us a bit more time to get through the heats," Kerr said.

But it wasn't always enough time for the power surfers... Arch Whiteman (NASA) only just made it up Hyundai Hill while Kobi Clements (Long Reef SRA) was among those who left it too late, catching his last wave with less than a minute to go. Lucas Wrice (Sandon Point BRC) was also unlucky, the power surfer within striking distance of the Oakley exchange.

Other heat winners included LeBa BRC, North Shelly BRC, Torquay BRC, Burleigh Heads BRC, Cabarita BRC and North Shore BRC.

Fresh from her win at the Central Coast Pro QS 3000, Macy Callaghan (North Shelly Boardriders) posted one of the highest single-wave scores of the day, a 7.83 (out of a possible 10). While Ace Buchan (Avoca BRC) scored an excellent 8.67 (out of a possible 10).

                       

"This event always gets the nerves going and with the rocks and the run and everything else involved this year the pressure is on. I'm really happy with the way we performed, it was fun," Callaghan said.

Jarvis Earle (Elouera Boardriders Club), who also took out the Central Coast Pro QS 3000, said: "It's sick doing team events like this, just having all your crew down here supporting you, it's always really competitive and comes down to the wire. It's a pretty sick event."

On Day Two Burleigh Heads turned it on on for the Grand Final with tens of thousands of spectators lining the famous point-break to watch the event across Saturday and Sunday.

Building four-to-six foot swell, a strong sweep and an increase in heat times gave way to plenty of exciting and dramatic moments.

In the end it was a series of big scores that set Burleigh Boardriders on a path to success. Maddy Job (6.67), Thomas Woods (8.00), Jay "Bottle" Thompson (6.67) and Tom Whitpaine (6.27) forcing Torquay, North Shore, LeBa, Noosa and North Shelly to play catch up throughout the final.

Isla Huppatz was a standout for the winning team, posting an excellent 9.27 ride - the highest wave score of the event - with a strong first turn, that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

"When I came in on the beach and was running up the hill and barely breathing everyone was like come on Isla. It literally got me up the hill. I'm so proud of the club and everything they've given me," she said.

Burleigh's Open surfer, Thomas Woods said: "It's been an epic weekend. The whole run is a great aspect even though I'm definitely not built for it these days. My legs are shot, I'm done. Would not be able to do another turn."

Hughie Vaughan scored an excellent 8.90 with a sequence of strong manoeuvres to keep North Shelly Boardriders in contention. Ellie Harrison from Torquay Boardriders also posted an impressive 8.40, but in the end, it wasn't enough for either team to overtake Burleigh.

Then in a fitting finale, as Burleigh's power surfer, Maddy Job made his triumphant ascent up Hyundai Hill, the skies opened up. After struggling in recent years to even make a final, the drought has finally broken for Burleigh.

Earlier in the day, Bryon Bay's power surfer, Soli Bailey caused controversy when he exited the water over rocks instead of the beach and was handed a penalty, only to double-back and complete the course properly. The penalty was later reversed but it wasn't enough for the defending champions to make it through to the semis.

There were major upsets too for powerhouse clubs, North Narrabeen and Snapper Rocks, knocked out in the quarterfinals.

World champion surfer, Joel Parkinson, said: "I surf for my club (Snapper Rocks) and that's about all I do now. I love it. The pressure is intense but you just gotta try push that aside and do the job at hand. Burleigh is the best place for surfing events and being close to home is really special."

Surfing legend, Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, who has lived on the Gold Coast all his life, said: "All our point breaks are world famous and we're blessed to live here really.

"Burleigh is the king today and I tell you what it's merciless. There's always been a run element in the ABB but this year is just next level. You have to have some ironman qualities about you and it's a big test for everyone.

"Club surfing is really an institution in Australia. A lot of clubs here are 60 years old plus. Surfers representing their club is a big deal. Some surfers seriously grow a foot taller when they put their club colours on."

The pumping conditions and sunny skies made for an action-packed weekend of surfing and activities for athletes and spectators alike, to enjoy.

Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, said: "Our iconic Burleigh break certainly turned on its magic this weekend, providing the ultimate stage for the nation’s best surfers from 42 clubs around Australia.

"We were thrilled to secure the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final for the Gold Coast this year and I want to congratulate all the winners and competitors. The best bit… we get to welcome back this exciting competition in 2025 and 2026, with the city locked in to host the Grand Final for three years. Bring it on!"

Electric Air Show Award (individual) - Aaron Kelly

Electric Air Show Award (club) - Noosa BRC

Jim Beam Club Spirit Award - Burleigh Boardriders

Le Tan Breakthrough Award - Tom Woods

Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew Medal - Tully Wylie

Layne Beachley Medal - Isla Huppatz

1st Burleigh BRC - 41.25 pts

2nd North Shelly BRC - 33.17 pts

3rd LeBa BRC - 31.67 pts

4th North Shore BRC - 30.76 pts

5th Noosa BRC - 26.91 pts

6th Torquay BRC - 25.24 pts