NORTH SHELLY BOARDRIDERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS AT THE 2026 NRMA INSURANCE AUSTRALIAN BOARDRIDERS GRAND FINAL

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

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.

In a Final that was ultimately decided on the sand after the buzzer, North Shelly Boardriders held their nerve and delivered high-scoring performances from all five surfers. The victory marks the club’s second ABB Grand Final win, deeply cementing North Shelly’s legacy in Australian surfing history.

With no teams able to cross the finish line in the dying seconds, it all came down to the final scores from each club’s NRMA Insurance Power Surfer, highlighted by a dramatic exchange between North Shelly’s Hughie Vaughan and Byron Bay Boardriders Club’s Dakoda Walters.

Walters posted an excellent 8.08 to briefly move Byron Bay into the lead, but Vaughan answered moments later, launching a massive air to also post an 8.08 on his final ride and secure the event for North Shelly.

Surfing as North Shelly’s NRMA Insurance Power Surfer, Vaughan wasted no time, launching a huge air straight off the bat that earned an outstanding 8.88 and instantly put his club into contention. In a format where momentum can swing with the unpredictability of the ocean, North Shelly capitalised as teammates added crucial scores across the heat.

“I haven’t even tried an air all weekend,” Vaughan said. “I figured now that we’re in the final, I might as well go for it. We have to go ham because this final’s lineup is absolutely crazy.”

Despite falling just short of the title, Byron Bay Boardriders Club delivered a standout campaign throughout the event, producing multiple high-scoring rides across the Final. Their run to the decider demonstrated the club’s strength and ensured the pressure remained firmly on the eventual champions right through to the final exchanges.

Byron Bay Power Surfer Soli Bailey reflected on the passion within the team after their strong run to the decider.

“I had to watch from the sidelines last year,” Bailey said. “We’ve got the best team, we’ve got so much talent coming through Byron and so much passion. I just told them this is the last time we’re going to surf together as a team for the rest of the year, let’s put it all on the line, run as hard as you can and surf as best you can.”

Three of the six clubs competing in the 2026 Grand Final — North Shore, Byron Bay, and North End — also featured in the 2025 decider, highlighting the continued dominance and consistency of these powerhouse clubs on the national stage.

North Shore’s Sophie McCulloch, competing in the women’s division, spoke about the pride of representing the club.

“It would have meant so much to win three ABB Grand Finals and be the only club to do so,” McCulloch said. “I would have loved to have put up a better score, but there’s no ‘I’ in team. We’ve got two women in our team, with Stella as a junior as well, so I’m just stoked to be part of this club.” 

Byron Bay’s Leihani Zoric also reflected on the importance of teamwork within the unique boardriders team format.

“This event is all about teamwork, so I did what was best for the team,” Zoric said. “I back our team everyone is capable of amazing scores.”

The NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final once again delivered one of the most exciting spectacles on the Australian surfing calendar, showcasing the country’s strongest boardrider clubs and the deep community spirit that underpins grassroots competitive surfing.

2026 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final RESULTS:

1ST – North Shelly – 34.19

2ND – Byron Bay – 34.15

3RD – North Shore – 26.52

4TH – Kawana – 24.56

5TH – Sandon Point – 17.55

6TH – North End – 17.13

Specialty Award Winners:

Jim Beam Club Spirit Award: Avoca Boardriders Club

Celcius Overall Performer: Alistair Reginato (North Shore)

Boost Wave of the Day: Saturday – Lennix Smith (Shellharbour) 8.93

Sunday – Nyxie Ryan (Lennox-Ballina) 9.08

Dometic Adventure with O Invitees:

Murf Layne Beachley Award: Holly Williams (Kawana)

Murf Rabbit Bartholomew: Locana Cullen (North Avalon)