Kirra Teams perfect prequel to big show
WOW, what a couple of intense surfing weeks on the Gold Coast.
You got to love it when the big WSL circus rolls into town for the world tour opener and the full entourage that follows.
But let’s back it up and look at the 35th annual Kirra Teams contest hosted by the Kirra Surf Riders Club the weekend before WSL events.
The previous week got off to wrong start when the Kirra club’s trailer was stolen from the carpark opposite Kirra Surf Club pavilion.
It was last seen heading north on the M1 with sound system intact and competition gear that appears to be gone forever.
Thanks to the generous clubs competing who helped out with back-up gear.
This year’s Kirra Teams had a green theme using the SAE solar energy generator for the PA and for the first time had a welcome-to-country presentation.
Thirty-five clubs turned up for the longest running club competition in Australia, if not the world, and the event was the closest in history.
After day one, 12 clubs were locked in a battle royale, with Noosa only a nose hair in front.
Their strike surfer Daniel Vardy just needed to win their last heat but stumbled into third place.
Previous winners the Snapper Surfriders called on recently retired former world champion Joel Parkinson who came up short against North Narrabeen’s ultimate club battler and former world tour competitor Nathan “The Hog” Hedge.
Joel’s cousin Mitch fared even worse with a fourth and Snapper suffered their worst club result ever in 16th place.
Hosts Kirra also called on their star power with retired three-times world champion Mick Fanning, who waited a full 15 minutes before taking his only two waves, karatechopping the lip to the beach for a brilliant win.
In the end it was the Point Lookout Boardriders from North Stradbroke Island, led by Surfing Australia coach Bede Durbidge, who took out their first Kirra Teams.
It was an emotional time for third-placed Angourie Boardriders, whose legendary member “Baddy” – aka Davis Treloar – died the day before.