North Shore Boardriders WIN Queensland qualifier

North Shore Boardriders were crowned champions at the 2023 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Queensland qualifier event, held at Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast in challenging three-to-four foot waves on October 29, 2023. 15 of Queensland’s best boardrider clubs battled for one of six positions in the Grand Final to be held at the iconic Burleigh Heads, 9 - 10 March 2024.

The single-day qualifier showcased the depth of talent in Queensland clubs, from emerging juniors, through to former World Championship Tour surfers. It was a day of breakthrough performances and upsets, as last year's champions, Snapper Rocks Surfriders, were eliminated in the early rounds. Snapper Rocks exit wasn't the only shock, Burleigh Boardriders were also eliminated in the semi-finals and didn't finish in a qualifying position for the 2024 Grand Final, which will be held at their local break. 

The final was an exciting finish to the day and a hotly contested battle between North Shore Boardriders, MNM Boardriders, Noosa Boardriders, and Point Lookout Boardriders. All four teams have now qualified to compete at the ABB Grand Final. Kawana Boardriders and North End Boardriders have also qualified to compete at the Grand Final. 

In the final, North Shore Boardriders took an early lead and went from strength-to-strength and proved too solid. The rest of the clubs required a combination of two scores to take the lead. 

Former World Championship Tour surfer and member of North Shore Boardriders, Sophie McCulloch, said she couldn't be more proud to be part of the winning team. 

"The level of surfing from all the Queensland clubs today was incredible," said McCulloch. "It's been an epic day and it's always one of my favourite events of the year. Surfing is generally an individual sport so i's always fun surfing as a team and being with your club. North Shore is like family to me, so it means a lot when I get to represent them. We're looking forward to competing at Burleigh Heads for the Grand Final in 2024."

The judges also awarded some of the standout clubs and performers of the day. The Oakley Prizm Performer award went to Taj Stokes from North Shore Boardriders. The Le Tan Breakthrough performance award went to Aidan Finn from MNM Boardriders and the Jim Beam Club Spirit award went to MNM Boardriders. 

The event was broadcast LIVE on on the mySURFtv YouTube channel and Kayo Sports. 

The 2023/24 series is proudly sponsored by Hyundai, Le Tan, ACCIONA, Jim Beam, BC™ Bars and Oakley.

The Australian Boardriders Battle is supported by Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Surfing Queensland would also like to thank Major Events Gold Coast, The Point Coolum, QMS Media, Travla, DriTimes, Ancestral Nutrition, Suzuki Queensland, We Are Feel Good Inc and Queensland Government for their ongoing support. 

Event website HERE.

RESULTS

1. North Shore Boardriders
2. Noosa Boardriders
3. Point Lookout Boardriders
4. MNM Boardriders
5. Kawana Boardriders
6. North End Boardriders

About the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle

The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle is Australia's biggest grassroots boardrider event and involves more than 70 of Australia's best boardrider clubs. Taking place across eight state qualifying rounds, only 32 clubs will come together at the Grand Final to battle it out to become series 11 Australian Champions. 

2023/24 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle series:

EVENT 1 – TRIGG, WA – SEPT 10, 2023
EVENT 2 – PHILLIP ISLAND, VIC – SEPT 24, 2023
EVENT 3 – FLEURIEU PENINSULA, SA – OCT 1, 2023
EVENT 4 – NSW NTH – COFFS HARBOUR, NSW – OCT 15, 2023
EVENT 5 – CLIFTON BEACH, TAS – OCT 22, 2023
EVENT 6 – SUNSHINE COAST, QLD – OCT 29, 2023
EVENT 7 – NSW CENTRAL – NORTH NARRABEEN, NSW – NOV 11, 2023
EVENT 8 – NSW SOUTH – KIAMA, NSW – NOV 18, 2023
GRAND FINAL* – BURLEIGH HEADS, QLD – MAR 9-10, 2024
*entry by qualification