CASUARINA/NSW (October 4th/2019): New South Wales has secured the final of the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle for another three years, bringing the country’s top surfers back to the State from 2020 to 2022.
Newcastle Beach will host the 2020 National Final on February 15 and 16 next year, welcoming approximately a dozen interstate boardriders clubs to compete for the national title.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the ongoing partnership between the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, and Surfing Australia reinforced the State’s reputation as the country’s home of surfing.
“New South Wales has hosted the final of the Australian Boardriders Battle since 2014, and we are delighted that it will remain here through the 2022 event,” Minister Ayres said.
“The World Surf League-sanctioned event is the biggest grassroots boardriders competition in the country, with 24 clubs in the national final, and the participation of WSL athletes draws international attention from surfing fans around the globe.
“Over the next three years, the Australian Boardriders Battle finals will generate an estimated $1.2 million in visitor spend for NSW, while simultaneously profiling our spectacular surf beaches.”
The series involves eight state events leading up to the national final in which clubs and fans enjoy the large-scale event experience and team competition.
City of Newcastle’s Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle has been the perfect backdrop for the action-packed finals since 2017 and would deliver again in 2020.
“We are incredibly proud to once again play host to the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle where both local talent and our stunning Newcastle Beach will be on show,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It’s no secret that Newcastle boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Our City is well known for its iconic surfing culture and a community that’s passionate about creating and nurturing surfing talent.
“Novocastrians and visitors alike continue to flock to our popular surfing events like the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle and Surfest, in part because of our quality beach amenities, which are only getting better, and make for exceptional viewing for spectators and a truly electric competitive atmosphere.”
Adding to the high stakes of the 2020 National Final, will be the two-day live broadcast on Fox Sports and live stream via their OTT channel, Kayo Sports.
Surfing Australia Chief Executive Officer Chris Mater said, “Newcastle’s Main Beach is made for the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle Series Final and both staff and competitors love being in town for the two-day club surfing spectacle. The waves are always good and the terraces are ideal for spectating. Surfing Australia thanks Destination NSW and City of Newcastle for hosting our flagship event in our flagship series.”
The state events are already underway, and NSW will host three qualifiers in coming months: NSW North at Coffs Harbour on October 13, NSW South at Kiama on October 26 and NSW Central at North Narrabeen on November 2.
The new three-year agreement between Destination NSW and Surfing Australia also ensures three state rounds will be held in NSW each year.
Now in its 7th season, the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle is the country’s biggest grassroots boardriders event, involving more than 70 of Australia’s best boardrider clubs and $110,000 in prize money.
The series is officially sanctioned by the World Surf League (WSL), which allows Australian WSL World Tour surfers (Men & Women) the opportunity to represent their local boardriders club at respective State qualifying events and the National Final.
Adding to the high stakes at the State qualifying events will be two speciality awards. The Oakley Prizm Performer will be awarded to the standout surfer, while the AirAsia Air Award will be presented to the surfer who does the biggest and best aerial manoeuvre at each event.
The 2019/20 nudie Australian Boardriders Battle is proudly supported by nudie, Oakley, Woolworths, Hyundai, AirAsia, 2XP, WSL, mySurf.Tv, Fox Sports, Destination NSW, City of Newcastle and Surfing Australia.
2019/2020 nudie Australian Boardriders Battle Series Calendar:
EVENT 1 – Gold Coast, QLD – Aug 24, 2019
EVENT 2 – Trigg, WA – Sept 21, 2019
EVENT 3 – NSW Nth – Coffs Harbour, NSW – Oct 13, 2019
EVENT 4 – NSW Sth – Kiama, NSW – Oct 26, 2019
EVENT 5 – NSW Central – North Narrabeen, NSW – Nov 2, 2019
EVENT 6 – Phillip Island, VIC – Nov 9, 2019
EVENT 7 – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA – Nov 23, 2019
EVENT 8 – Clifton Beach TAS – Dec 14, 2019
National Final – Newcastle NSW – Feb 15-16, 2020
For more information visit www.australianboardridersbattle.com