TRUE BATTLE OF THE BOARDRIDERS
BEST SURFERS SET TO GO HEAD-TO-HEAD
AUSTRALIA’S best boardriding clubs will battle it out for the fourth annual National Teams event at Newcastle this weekend to claim the prestigious title of No.1 boardriding club and the $20,000 for first place
Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club has won two out of the four titles, with 24 teams to line up this year.
Queensland has four clubs competing: Snapper, Burleigh, Point Lookout (North Stradbroke) and North Shore (Sunny Coast).
To say that Snapper are keen to reclaim the title is an understatement.
Despite not having their world championship pros Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore available, Snapper has fielded a new-generation team of potential champions.
“We have a very strong team of in-form aspiring pros, led by president and evergreen Jay Phillips,” said Snapper coach and former world champion Rabbit Bartholomew, who is assisted by club manager Bruce Lee.
Mitch Parkinson is their No.1 in the opens, fresh from an impressive semi-final placing with fellow Snapper teammate Noah Deane at the Volcom Pipe Pro in Hawaii.
Mitch surfed at Newcastle last year and will be itching to lead Snapper to another win.
Joining him in the opens are fellow qualifying series competitors Sheldon Simkus and Quinn Bruce.
Their junior rep is Dextar Muskens, who is leading Australia Pro Junior ratings.
On the women’s side, Kobie Enright is on a tear, having won two WQS events in 2018 and is backed up by Alyssa Lock, last weekend’s winner at Newcastle Pro Female.
Bartholomew expects intense competition from last year’s champions Avoca, while the Point Lookout Boardriders of North Stradbroke Island with former CT pros Bede Durbidge and Ethan Ewing will be tough.
Burleigh Boardriders created a huge upset by winning the state qualifier from Snapper.
“This is the best chance we have ever had to win this,” said Burleigh president James Lewis.
THIS IS THE BEST CHANCE WE HAVE EVER HAD TO WIN THIS BURLEIGH’S JAMES LEWIS