Closest most exciting finish in the 26 year history of the event!

Werri Beach Boardriders Club (Sth Coast NSW/Kiama are indisputably Australia’s best Boardriding Club after they won the Rhythm Kirra Teams Challenge in outstanding surf at Duranbah Beach on the southern Gold Coast today.

In the closest ever Challenge in the events 26 year history, five clubs out of the 34 clubs competing battled for the win on the final afternoon with Snapper Boardriders (Gold Coast), Alley Boardriders (Currumbin Gold Coast), Werri Beach (Sth Coast NSW), Cabarita (NSW) and Coff’s Harbour all tightly bunched after 6 of their compulsory 8 team surfers had competed.

The second-last heat of the day became the decider as Werri Beach surfer Matt Jones faced off against Snapper’s high profile surfer Josh Kerr – The equation was simple, Kerr or Jones had to win the four-man heat and their respective club would take the title.

Snapper Rocks understandably went into the final extremely confident their man Kerr could win the heat with Kerr fresh off the elite ASP World Tour and surfing out at his home break at Duranbah Beach and their confidence looked rock solid when Kerr opened up a big lead at the half-way point in the heat when he found an excellent tube ride and completed several excellent on-face moves to score the events highest scoring ride of an 8.67 out of a possible 10.

It left Jones chasing an achievable 7.4 ride but with 5 minutes remaining when he caught an average 5 point ride, Snapper looked secure as Jones faced a long difficult paddle and still required that high scoring 7.4 ride.

Thirty seconds remaining and just out in position, the unbelievable would happen for Jones as he caught a very good wave, rode it to the death performing a series of critical turns with his club members screaming from the beach through every turn and was awarded a 7.6 to take the title.

“I can’t believe we have won – I knew Kerrsy had scored big mid heat and the task to win was going to be hard but I also knew there were some great waves out here and big scores in these conditions were there for the taking – It was an absolute fairytale finish – riding that last wave I could hear my team mates yelling on the beach and I sought of knew I might be close to taking the win – it’s unbelievable and just so good for the club – this is the title every club in Australia wants to win and we are the best club in the country right now – it’s great!”

Werri Beach team members included Matt Gale, Doug Chandler, Tom Salverson, Todd Prestage, Tully Robinson, Rhys Bombaci , Dean Bowen and Matt Jones.

This year’s event again highlighted the strength of Australian Club Surfing. Numerous former ASP World Tour surfers turned up to surf for their clubs at this event including Mark Occhilupo, Luke Egan, Matt Hoy, Shane Wehner, Jake Spooner, Todd Prestage and Josh Kerr.

It was a proud that walked away victors today with the unique Eagle trophy and a handy $6 000 in prize money!

Final Placing’s – 1st Werri Beach NSW (Sth Coast NSW) 2nd Snapper Rocks (Gold Coast Qld) 3rd Cabarita Boardriders (Nth Coast NSW) 4th Coff’s Harbour Boardriders (Nth Coast NSW)

Photo Credit: Simondson/Surfing Australia