Smiths Beach, Phillip Island (Saturday 24th November 2018): Torquay Boardriders Club have claimed a spot into the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Final after claiming the Victorian Qualifier at Phillip Island today.
With strong onshore winds and a broken up swell, the event was forced to move to protected Smiths Beach to find 3ft contestable conditions.
After a patchy record in previous years at this event, Torquay faltered in their opening heat losing to 13th Beach in astounding fashion before regrouping and progressing past Peninsula Surfriders in the repercharge round to make the final.
In the final it was a dual of the longterm rivals Torquay and Phillip Island, with Torquay claiming the event win on a heat total of 34.40 points to Phillip Island’s 31.24 points.
Standouts included junior Xavier Huxtable who was a shining light throughout the whole day for Torquay as well as former Championship Tour surfer Troy Brooks who competed as their masters surfer.
Club Vice-President Harry Mann was stoked to see such a strong rebound after the first round loss.
“It was an awesome victory for the whole club. After losing in that first round the club really rallied around each other and made sure that we were all on the same page.”
“We are stoked to take out the win and be heading up to the national final.”
Torquay had by far the biggest club representation on the beach with a bus load of surfers, families and junior club members cheering on the team.
“Having all of the groms be part of the event is epic. They get the chance to see the pathway and learn off some of our experienced surfers.”
Phillip Island put up a strong effort at their home break however fell short of the mark, whilst 13th Beach finished in third place on 21.63 points.
Peninsula Surfriders Power Surfer Caiden Fowler was awarded the Air Asia Wave of the day for an air in his opening round heat.
Xavier Huxtable claimed the Oakley Prism Performer of the day for his consistent surfing across all heats.
The nudie Australian Boardriders Battle is the country’s biggest grassroots boardriders event, involving more than 60 of Australia’s best boardrider clubs. Taking place across eight state qualifying rounds, 24 qualifying clubs will come together at the National Final in Newcastle in February to decide who’ll be crowned Australia’s best boardriding club.
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.
The 2018 nudie Australian Boardriders Battle is proudly supported by nudie, Woolworths, Hyundai, AirAsia, Summer Bright Lager, Drink Wise, 2XP, LocalSearch, WSL, MySurf.Tv, Fox Sports, The City of Newcastle, The NSW Government Visit NSW and Surfing Australia.
Nudie Australian Boardriders Battle 2018/19 calendar:
ABB – EVENT 1 – Gold Coast, QLD – August 25, 2018
ABB – EVENT 2 – Kiama, NSW – Sept 15, 2018
ABB – EVENT 3 – NSW Central – North Narrabeen, NSW – Sept 22, 2018
ABB – EVENT 4 – NSW Nth – Coffs Harbour, NSW – Oct 6, 2018
ABB – EVENT 5 – Trigg, WA – Oct 27, 2018
ABB – EVENT 6 – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA – Nov 10, 2018
ABB – EVENT 7 – Phillip Island, VIC – Nov 24, 2018
ABB – EVENT 8 – Clifton Beach TAS – Dec 15, 2018
ABB – National Final – Newcastle, NSW – Feb 16-17, 2019