Australian Boardriders Battle team breakdowns and late rule change ahead of Burleigh Heads event
Officials have confirmed one major rule change that is set to turn the Australian Boardriders Battle grand final on its head while we breakdown every team and every surfer ahead of the iconic event. Full details here.
Surfing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Surfing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia’s top seeded boardriders clubs will get a second chance at winning the national title under new rules brought in for the biggest trophy on offer in the domestic surfing scene.
This weekend’s Australian Boardriders Battle grand final at Burleigh Heads will feature a redemption round where the best ranked clubs who fall short of automatic qualification from Saturday’s heats get to compete again.
Six teams will compete in each heat and the top three progress. Under new rules those who finish fourth will compete for a chance to qualify for the final three spots in Sunday’s competition.
Reigning champions Burleigh will be among the forty-two clubs from around Australia featuring in the grand final where surfing icons and former world champions will represent their local clubs.
Among the stars are Layne Beachley, Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr and Sierra Kerr.
“I surf for my club (Snapper Rocks) and that’s about all I do now. I love it,” Parkinson said.
“The pressure is intense but you just gotta try push that aside and do the job at hand. Burleigh is the best place for surfing events and being close to home is really special.”
More Coverage
Contest Director Glen Elliott said the event’s format was so unique that it attracted huge interest.
“We’ll see some of the world’s best surfing talent with juniors coming up against ex-pro’s like Layne Beachley, Taj Burrow, Jay Davies, Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr, Danny Wills, Kieren Perrow and Bede Durbidge,” he said.
“This is the unique aspect of this event. Imagine surfing a heat with former world champions and your surfing heroes.”
Originally published as Australian Boardriders Battle team breakdowns and late rule change ahead of Burleigh Heads event
Bells drama as surfer gets hurt
As surfing finally got back underway at Bells Beach a visiting competitor hurt his knee so badly he had to be driven off the sand.
Top Aussie surfer’s big call on teen wildcard – as Bells round of 16 calls
Aussie surfer Molly Picklum was on the receiving end of Ellie Harrison’s breakout Rip Curl Pro performance last year – with the 19-year-old picking up where she left off during Friday’s opening heats.
She moved to Torquay three years ago – now she’s surfing the Rip Curl Pro
A decision three years ago to pack up her life in NSW and move down south at just 18 has paid off for Carly Shanahan with a place in this week’s Rip Curl Pro.
Champion surfer’s brain injury battle to be lifelong journey
Former world tour surfer Owen Wright says the battle with his brain health will be a lifelong journey in the aftermath of the concussions that nearly killed him. This is why.
‘Fairytale’: Ironwoman breaks legend’s record in final Aussies surf life saving race
Iron star Georgia Fitzsimmons never imagined a career of world and Aussie crowns. Nor did she ever think she would eclipse the record of surf life saving great Karla Gilbert - until she did.
Inside sport’s secret bid to shift HQ to Gold Coast
The governing body of one of Australia’s water sports has put forth a proposal to create a new world class headquarters and high performance base at one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic locations. Full details of the bid here.