North Shore Boardriders Crowned Champions at the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Presented by NRMA Insurance

North Shore Boardriders have officially claimed the title of Australia’s best boardrider club, securing national glory and ultimate bragging rights at the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final, presented by NRMA Insurance.

Burleigh Heads delivered firing, dreamy three-to-four-foot conditions, setting the perfect stage for a Finals Day packed with high-stakes drama and elite-level surfing. The event brought together 42 of Australia’s top boardrider clubs — all battling through state qualifying rounds to earn their place at the prestigious National Final.

Under the pressure of a stacked final lineup, North Shore Boardriders Club held their nerve and delivered consistent, high-scoring performances from all five surfers. The victory comes as their second Grand Final win, cementing North Shore’s legacy in Australian surfing history and showcasing the club’s exceptional depth of talent, team strategy, and community pride.

North Shore Boardriders Club Power Surfer, Alister Reginato, spoke on what it felt like to win the event two times:

“It’s wild, the first time was unbelievable but it’s a little more special doing it here at Burleigh. This afternoon has been unbelievable, the team finally put a great heat together and everyone did amazing. The second time is pretty surreal!”

The final was a nail-biting battle between North Shore, Torquay, and Merewether, keeping the crowd on edge as the heat came down to the last exchange of NRMA Insurance Power Surfers.

Merewether’s Morgan Cibilic kicked off the final in style, posting a massive 8.50 to open their campaign strong. North Shore’s Sophie McCulloch answered back with a crucial 7.43, keeping her club firmly in the hunt.

Torquay’s charge toward the title looked promising after standout surfer Tully Wylie dropped an 8.45, followed by Ellie Harrison’s sharp 7.28, which edged them into a narrow lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

But it all came down to the final surfers. North Shore’s Alister Reginato delivered a clutch 5.88 under pressure, putting the club in the box seat as Torquay’s Xavier Huxtable and Merewether’s Morgan Cibilic launched their last efforts to hunt down the score. Both fell just short. As the final siren sounded and Cibilic slipped off his last wave, the North Shore club erupted on Burleigh Hill, securing their place at the top of Australian club surfing.

Ellie Harrison from Torquay remained humble and grateful when speaking about their close loss:

“I’m so proud of Torquay no matter how we do. I thought it might have been our time this year, but hopefully we’ll get it done at the next ABB!”

2025 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final RESULTS:

1ST – North Shore – 39.34

2ND – Torquay – 38.19

3RD – Merewether – 37.45

4TH – Snapper Rocks – 34.37

5TH – North End – 30.66

6TH – Byron Bay – 23.04

Specialty Award Winners:

Jim Beam Club Spirt Award – Bungan Boardriders Club

Oakley Prizm Performer – Xavier Huxtable (TORQUAY)

Dometic Adventure with O Invitees –

Alister Reginato & Sophie McCulloch (NORTH SHORE)

Xavier Huxtable & Ellie Harrison (TORQUAY)

Morgan Cibilic & Philippa Anderson (MEREWETHER)

Sheldon Simkus & Raya Campbell (SNAPPER)

Chris Zaffis & Coral Durant (NORTH END)

Dakoda Walters & Leihani Zoric (BYRON)

Murf Layne Beachley Award – Leihani Zoric (BYRON)

Murf Rabbit Bartholomew – Ocean Lancaster (MEREWETHER)

About the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle:
The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle is Australia’s biggest grassroots surfing series, involving over 80 boardrider clubs in eight state qualifying rounds before culminating in the epic Grand Final showdown. The event has been instrumental in strengthening club culture, fostering future champions, and celebrating Australia’s deep connection with surfing.

The 2025 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final presented by NRMA Insurance is proudly supported by Jim Beam, ACCIONA, Ruffie Rustic Foods, BC Protein Snacks, Oakley, Kennards Hire, Dometic, Boost Mobile, Daiwa Australia, Murf Electric Bikes, Blackroll, Vissla, Zuum Energy Gum, the Burleigh Pavilion and Surfers for Climate. 

The 2025 Hyundai ABB Gold Coast Grand Final presented by NRMA Insurance is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland

About Australian Boardrider Clubs:
There are more than 250 boardrider clubs across the country, where members gather regularly, often monthly, to organise grassroots competitions at world-class waves such as Burleigh Heads. 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.