HOBART/TASMANIA (Thursday, October 24th, 2024): For the first time in several years, all four of Tasmania’s premiere Boardriders Clubs will go hammer and tong when the Tasmanian State Qualifier for the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series gets underway in the Hobart Region this Saturday, October 26th.
Park Beach, North West, North East and South Arm Boardriders Clubs will all rate themselves a good chance at making the Grand Final at Burleigh Heads in 2025 with Surfing Australia again offering two clubs the opportunity (50% progression).
With the likes of Hollmer-Cross (Park Beach), Rudy Davis (South Arm), Dara Penfold (South Arm), Jy Johannesen (North West) and current Australian Over 45 Men’s Champion Dustin Hollick (North East) on the team sheet, it’s set to be a high-quality event.
Hollick’s North East Boardriders Club haven’t contested the event in the past few years, and the Four Mile Creek local is excited to put a cat amongst the pigeons when the hooter sounds this Saturday.
Image: Tyler Hollmer-Cross surfing for Park Beach Boardriders Club
“We’ve got a strong team, but so does everyone else. It’s bloody good to see all the big guns representing their clubs, and I, for one, will relish the opportunity to pinch a spot in the National Final up in Burleigh next year, ” said Hollick.
South Arm Boardriders Club has enjoyed almost total domination at the event for the past decade, winning all but one state qualifier. Over 35’s competitor and Event Manager, Luke Johannesen was stoked to receive an entry from all the state’s best clubs in 2024.
“In the end, it shows just how healthy the sport is in the state when every club wants to enter and show what they have got in the team’s surfing arena. The harder the competition only benefits whoever makes it to Burleigh to represent Tasmania, so it’s a great thing for everyone. South Arm will be hard to beat, as usual; don’t worry about that,” said Johannesen.
Park Beach Boardriders Club
Tyler Hollmer-Cross
Sophie Ciszek
Austin Quarell
Harry Hollmer-Cross
Sam Boon
Cowan Duncan
Reserves – James Hollmer-Cross,James Mckean
South Arm Boardriders Club
Dara Penfold
Sienna Lawrence
Rudy Davis
Matt Kennedy
Hamish Renwick
Marti Paradisis
Duke Armstrong
Charlie Gibson
North East Boardriders Club
Mel Hoult
Andy Hoult
Benn Richardson
Dustin Hollick
Sunny Hollick
North West Boardriders Club
Jy Johannesen
Matt Gaby
Tom Roberts
Kylin Harris
Sophie Adams
Oscar Taylor
Surfing Australia last year expanded the Grand Final format to include 42 boardrider clubs (previously 24) from across Australia, with more than $115, 000 in total prize money up for grabs throughout the series.
There are three specialty awards presented at each regional round: The Jim Beam Club Spirit Award, Oakley Prizm Performer Award and Boost Mobile Wave of the Day.
The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series is proudly supported by naming partner Hyundai and support partners Jim Beam, ACCIONA, Ruffie Rustic Foods, BC™ Protein Snacks, Kennards Hire, Oakley, Dometic, Boost Mobile, Blackroll and Surfers for Climate.
The Hyundai ABB Gold Coast Grand Final is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
For more information, please visit australianboardridersbattle.com.
2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series 12:
Event 1 – ABB WA – 14th Sept – Trigg Beach, WA
Event 2 – ABB VIC – 6th Oct – Phillip Island, VIC
Event 3 – ABB QLD -12th Oct – Sunshine Coast, QLD
Event 4 – ABB South Aus – 19th Oct – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
Event 5 – ABB Tas – 26th Oct – TBA, TAS
Event 6 – ABB NSW South – 2nd Nov – Wollongong, NSW
Event 7 – ABB NSW Central – 9th Nov – North Narrabeen, NSW
Event 8 – ABB NSW North – 26th Sept – Coffs Harbour, NSW
Grand Final – 8th – 9th Mar – Burleigh Heads, QLD (entry by qualification)
About Australian Boardrider Clubs:
There are more than 230 boardrider clubs across the country, where members gather regularly, often monthly, to organise grassroots competitions at world-class waves such as Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. The boardrider club phenomenon in Australia has made a significant contribution to the nation’s competitive success on the global stage, fostering close-knit communities that support young surfers on their journeys to becoming the next World Champions.
