Queensland Boardrider Clubs Prepare for Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Regional Qualifier

Queensland Boardrider Clubs Prepare for Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Regional Qualifier

By Surfing Queensland

Sixteen of Queensland’s top boardrider clubs are gearing up for the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) regional qualifier this Saturday, October 12, on the Sunshine Coast. Among the competitors are reigning champions Burleigh Boardriders, alongside a lineup of skilled athletes, from rising juniors to seasoned World Championship Tour veterans.

The one-day event will see these talented surfers battle for a spot in the highly anticipated Hyundai ABB Grand Final, scheduled for March 8-9, 2025, at the iconic Burleigh Heads, QLD. Representing their local clubs with pride, the surfers will compete in a dynamic ‘tag team’ format, showcasing Queensland’s rich surfing culture.

The field of competition includes a mix of well-established clubs from the Gold Coast, North Stradbroke Island, and the Sunshine Coast. Key surfers to watch include Sophie McCulloch (North Shore BRC), Sheldon Simkus (Snapper Rocks Surfriders), Chris Zaffis (North End BRC), Isla Huppatz (Burleigh BRC), and Raya Campbell (Snapper Rocks Surfriders).

The Hyundai ABB features a unique team-based competition, where clubs nominate five surfers: 2x Open Men, 1x Open Woman, 1x Master (Over 35), and 1x Junior (Under 18). Surfers are scored on their best wave, and teamwork is critical as each must return to the beach to release the next team member into the water.

The exact competition location will be announced at 6 a.m. tomorrow. For updates, follow Surfing Queensland’s social media channels @surfing_queensland.

Landen Smales, representing North Shore BRC. Credit- Surfing Queensland

Event Schedule – 2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series 12:

• Event 1 – ABB WA: Sept 14, Trigg Beach, WA
• Event 2 – ABB VIC: Oct 6, Phillip Island, VIC
• Event 3 – ABB QLD: Oct 12, Sunshine Coast, QLD
• Event 4 – ABB South Aus: Oct 19, Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
• Event 5 – ABB Tas: Oct 26, Clifton Beach, TAS
• Event 6 – ABB NSW South: Nov 2, Wollongong, NSW
• Event 7 – ABB NSW Central: Nov 9, North Narrabeen, NSW
• Event 8 – ABB NSW North: Sept 28, Coffs Harbour, NSW
• Grand Final: March 8-9, Burleigh Heads, QLD (entry by qualification)

About Australian Boardrider Clubs

Australia boasts over 230 boardrider clubs, fostering a strong grassroots surfing community. These clubs play a critical role in developing young surfers who often go on to represent the country on the world stage. Many of the competitions are held at premier surf locations like Burleigh Heads, offering an ideal training ground for future World Champions.

In 2023, Surfing Australia expanded the ABB Grand Final format to include 42 clubs, up from 24, with more than $115,000 in prize money distributed throughout the series. The ABB regional qualifiers also present three specialty awards: the Jim Beam Club Spirit Award, Oakley Prizm Performer Award, and Boost Mobile Wave of the Day.

The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle is proudly supported by Hyundai, alongside partners including Jim Beam, ACCIONA, Ruffie Rustic Foods, BC™ Protein Snacks, Kennards Hire, Oakley, Dometic, Boost Mobile, Blackroll, and Surfers for Climate. The Gold Coast Grand Final is backed by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

For more information, visit australianboardridersbattle.com.