South Australian boardrider clubs are preparing to face off at the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) regional qualifier this Saturday, October 19.
Seaford Boardriders Club, Seaview Road Boardriders Club, and South Coast Boardriders Club will be vying for one of two coveted spots in the Hyundai ABB Grand Final, which is set to return to Burleigh Heads on March 8-9, 2025.
Contest Director, Craig Potgieter, said: “At this stage, we are looking at a relatively large southerly swell. The likely location for the event will be either Waitpinga Beach or The Bay at Middleton. The swell looks to be 3-4 ft with a south-west wind.”
Seaford Boardriders is aiming for back-to-back wins.
Shayne Forbes, Seaford Boardriders coach and captain, said: “We’re excited and a bit nervous, as we always are at this time of year. There’s a lot up for grabs with the trip to Burleigh, and we’re hoping we can do it again. We love it up there—coming from SA, all in our boardies, surfing all day, enjoying the comp. We had a good showing, about 30 of us up there. Everyone’s pretty keen to do it again, so the pressure is on!
“There are only a few clubs in the event, but if you look at the teams on paper, we’re evenly matched. It all comes down to getting a good wave.”
Also mixing it up, are a few new names on the team this year.
“We’ve got a new junior, and there are quite a few changes from last year. But we’ve got as strong a team as we’ve ever had, so we’re pretty confident. Everyone has been surfing a lot, and we’re ready to go.”
The competition aims to kick off around 9:30am. All venue calls will be made on @surfingsa socials.
2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series 12:
Event 1 – ABB WA – 14th Sep – Trigg Beach, WA
Event 2 – ABB VIC – 6th Oct – Phillip Island, VIC
Event 3 – ABB QLD -12th Oct – Sunshine Coast, QLD
Event 4 – ABB South Aus – 19th Oct – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
Event 5 – ABB Tas – 26th Oct – Clifton Beach, TAS
Event 6 – ABB NSW South – 2nd Nov – Wollongong, NSW
Event 7 – ABB NSW Central – 9th Nov – North Narrabeen, NSW
Event 8 – ABB NSW North – 16th Nov – Coffs Harbour, 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.
There are three specialty awards presented at each regional round: The Jim Beam Club Spirit Award, Oakley Prizm Performer Award and Boost Mobile Wave of the Day.
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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