THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN BOARDRIDERS BATTLE FINAL

In our last article we mentioned that we were out of action because we were up at Newcastle for the Australian Boardriders Battle. Well, we thought we might as well give you all an update on how the weekend went and who came out on top.

But first, a breakdown of how the event actually works. With the contest going for the whole weekend, it is separated into two days. The Saturday being the day for the individual heats. So each team or boardriding club allocates one Junior, Open, Over 35s and Female to represent their club in a traditional heat format however, they only count the best one wave ridden (not two). 

We are going to cut straight to the chase and give you all an update on the women’s heats. As there were only four heats, we can keep it short and sweet. In heat 1 we saw Sophie McCulloch take a win for North Shore. Heat 2, North Narrabeen’s Tru Starling got the jump on the other competitors. Heat 3, Coffs Harbour’s Rosie Smart took her heat out and Merewether’s Philippa Anderson taking out heat 4. We also saw Nyxie Ryan take a win for LeBa in heat 5 and Gia Lorentson getting the win in the final heat for Noosa Boardriders. 

With that all being said, Sunday was completely different. This is the big day where you can’t lose a heat or you’re out.

With every heat being 45 minutes, each surfer gets about 7 minutes to run from the box where you are tagged by your fellow teammate, paddle out, catch a wave, come in and then tag the next allocated surfer. Tight timing right?! 

With almost everyone thinking that NSW club North Shelly were going to take out the event off the back of getting the Simon Anderson Club of the Year award at the Surfing Australia Awards night, they ended up bowing out in the semi to North Narrabeen and Snapper Rocks, who were joined by Merewether and Point Lookout in the final.

So, the four teams had been locked in for the final, North Narrabeen v Snapper Rocks v Merewether v Point Lookout, 2 NSW teams and 2 Queensland teams. With each team having some really strong surfers, it was always going to be a tight one. 

For Snapper Rocks we saw Kobie Enright snag a 5.13 for her team. Merewether’s Philippa Anderson locked in a 2.75, Tahlia Henderson scoring a 0.70 and Tru Starling from North Narrabeen locking in a 5.15, it was a tough final between all the teams, with the women pulling their weight all the same. 

Now, before we get to who won the final, we just want to give Nyxie Ryan a huge congratulations for being awarded the Layne Beachley Medal which is awarded to the female surfer who has the best performance in and out of the water. 

Results time!!! In the end it was North Narrabeen taking the win with a 35.05 total, Snapper Rocks came in second with a 30.79 total, Merewether in third getting a 30.44 total and Point Lookout coming in fourth getting a total of 26.56

Congratulations to ALL the teams who competed in the event, it was amazing to watch. We cannot wait for next year and to see who comes out on top…