The search for Australia’s top boardriding club begins this Saturday at Trigg Beach, as the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) kicks off its 12th consecutive series along Perth’s metropolitan beaches.
Club pride and passion will be on full display as six West Australian clubs compete for glory and their place into the Hyundai ABB Grand Final, scheduled to be held at the iconic Burleigh Heads in Queensland in March 2025.
Local rivalries will intensify with WA pride on the line, as Yallingup, Trigg Point, Margaret River, Trigg Junior, Geraldton and Mandurah prepare to do battle at the first of eight events set to take place across the country.
Clubs will field a team of five surfers, featuring two open men, one open female, one over-35 master (male or female), and one under-18 junior (male or female), who will compete in the thrilling ‘tag team’ format, renowned for its fast-paced and dynamic nature.
Defending champions Yallingup will spearhead an impressive lineup of regional talent, blending youthful energy with seasoned experience, in hopes of once again qualifying for the Hyundai ABB Grand Final.
“We learnt a lot at last year’s Grand Final and want to get back there again,” said Yallingup President Zak Ogram. “Yallingup has bred some of the best surfers in the state and think we’ve got the squad to get the win.”
Trigg Point will be another strong contender after representing WA at the Series 11 Grand Final, the club will be looking to capitalise on their home turf advantage and their intimate knowledge of Trigg Beach.
“The Grand Final was such a rad experience and Burleigh is such an iconic location,” said Trigg Point’s Luke Campbell. “We’re all pretty amped, the ABB is always such a fun event, the forecast looks fun so we can’t wait to put our best foot forward.”
Margaret River were the top placed WA club at the last Hyundai ABB Grand Final, reaching the semi’s and finishing in equal eighth position.
“We were super stoked with how we performed against the best club’s in the country,” said Margaret River’s Jerome Forrest. “Our road back to the Grand Final starts in Perth on the weekend and we’re fired up to get the win.”
Trigg Junior Boardriders Club will field a younger, but promising team of surfers who also be out to benefit from their local knowledge. Geraldton Boardriders Club will be travelling the furthest to compete, bringing with them some of the state’s best underground competitors. While Mandurah Boardriders Club will make a welcome return to the Hyundai ABB after last competing back in 2016.
“We’re thrilled to be opening the proceedings for such a prestigious event series here in Western Australia,” said Surfing WA’s Events Manager Justin Majeks. “The Hyundai ABB represents the heart of surfing culture in Australia – a blend of fierce competition and local community spirit. We’re expecting great energy from the clubs, and some world-class surfing as well.”
The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle will kick off at approximately 8:30am on Saturday, with finals wrapping up by early afternoon. Favourable conditions are forecast, with sunny skies set to provide a postcard perfect backdrop for a day of high-caliber surfing and fierce competition at Trigg Beach.
Surf fans and locals alike are encouraged to come down, enjoy the electric atmosphere, and watch their favourite clubs tackle the iconic series.
2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series 12:
Event 1 – ABB WA – 14th Sept – Trigg Beach, WA
Event 2 – ABB NSW North – 28th Sept – Coffs Harbour, NSW
Event 3 – ABB VIC – 6th Oct – Phillip Island, VIC
Event 4 – ABB QLD -12th Oct – Sunshine Coast, QLD
Event 5 – ABB South Aus – 19th Oct – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
Event 6 – ABB Tas – 26th Oct – Clifton Beach, TAS
Event 7 – ABB NSW South – 2nd Nov – Wollongong, NSW
Event 8 – ABB NSW Central – 9th Nov – North Narrabeen, NSW
Grand Final – 8th – 9th Mar – Burleigh Heads, QLD (entry by qualification)
About Australian Boardrider Clubs:
There are more than 230 boardrider clubs across the country, where members gather regularly, often monthly, to organise grassroots competitions at world-class waves such as Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. 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.
Surfing Australia last year expanded the Grand Final format to include 42 boardrider clubs (previously 24) from across Australia, with more than $115, 000 in total prize money up for grabs throughout the series.
The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series is proudly supported by naming partner Hyundai and support partners Jim Beam, ACCIONA, Ruffie Rustic Foods, BC™ Protein Snacks, Kennards Hire, Oakley, Dometic, Boost Mobile, Blackroll and Surfers for Climate.
The Hyundai ABB Gold Coast Grand Final is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
For more information, please visit australianboardridersbattle.com.
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