Third title tag Snapper’s task
FORMER world champions Stephanie Gilmore and Joel Parkinson will lead the charge as Snapper Rocks aims to claim a piece of history with a third Australian Boardriders Battle title this weekend.
The power club will take the favourite’s tag into this weekend’s finals in Newcastle but with 10 World Surf League championship tour surfers taking part, their task will not be a cakewalk.
Gilmore said the team nature of the Boardriders Battle was one of the main attractions.
“It’s not too often we get to compete in a team environment like this weekend so you definitely look forward to it,” Gilmore said.
“Everyone wants to win for each other and their club as a whole. Being crowned the best boardriders club in the country is a pretty big bragging right and Snapper would love to become the first club to win three nudie Australian Boardriders Battle national titles.”
But six-time world champ Gilmore won’t have things all her own way, with defending world titleholder Tyler Wright to turn out for her home club of Culburra.
“Having the Boardriders Battle in Newcastle this year will be a totally different experience, I’m excited for the change,” Wright said.
“A Boardriders event is really different for me with the unique format. It is always cool as it sets this event apart from any other event – all of a sudden it’s a team effort, rather than just you doing what you do.”
Last year Snapper bowed out of competition just short of the finals despite Parkinson putting up a great fight for his team.
He is looking to rebound at Newcastle but knows that it will be tough with the competition that will be in attendance.
“We are keen to make amends for last year because we didn’t feel like we ever really got going,” Parkinson said. “It’s going to be a really tight competition. I got a look at some of the other team lists and there are some unbelievably good surfers registered.”
Gold Coast resident Bede Durbidge will turn out for Point Lookout Boardriders alongside fellow Stradbroke Island product and this year’s championship tour rookie Ethan Ewing, while Lennox Head’s Stuart Kennedy will represent Le-Ba Boardriders and Byron Bay’s Matt Wilkinson will ride for Avoca.
The national champion will be crowned at Newcastle tomorrow.