Wednesday November 10, 2010 (Sydney, NSW) – From club to professional level, women’s surfing has never looked healthier in Australia and it will be on show this Saturday, 13th November as the third event of the Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series rolls out at Dee Why Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The Jim Beam Surftag provides a national competition for over 70 boardriding clubs, who will fight it out to determine Australia’s No.1 club.  The series is Australia’s largest team surfing competition featuring a combined prize pool of over $130,000 and a $15,000 prize to the eventual champion club.

The all Women’s Surftag event has attracted nine teams from Torquay to Norah Head, representing some of most prolific clubs in Australian surfing.  The third annual Women’s Surftag will pit teams of five against each other and award $2,500 in combined prize money.

Defending champions North Narrabeen, who also hold the men’s national surftag title, have fielded the same team as last year and will be looking to make it three from three.  Team captain Tessa De Josselin says they are confident of a repeat performance on Saturday.

“With the Narrabeen men’s, junior’s and women’s surf teams all having a strong track record, I definitely hope we can keep momentum and remain undefeated,” she said.  “Confidence is key, and we have the same team of girls as the first year we won so things are feeling good and everyone is really excited to do well.”

Tessa De Josselin – Pic. Jim Beam Surftag

They will be up against clubs including North Steyne, Northern Beaches Women, Torquay, Women in Waves – Norah Head, Bondi A, Bondi B, Outtacontrolatrons and North Shelley.

“The concept of a team surfing competition is so unique, the format makes competing less intimidating and as a result attracts women who wouldn’t usually compete,” she said.  “It encourages women to get on board, surf with their friends and represent their local beach.”

Jim Beam Surftag event director Steve Harrison said the inclusion of the all women’s Surftag to the series has been a huge success.

“There aren’t many avenues for women’s clubs to compete against each other,” he said. “We have had a great response over the past two years from all the girls involved in the event”.

“We have got clubs from the NSW central coast, from Victoria and from the strongest clubs around Sydney all ready to surf for their local beach,” he said.  “This year we have opened it up and allowed surfers not associated with a club to formulate their own teams and get involved.”

“We have had a great run of surf on the Northern Beaches lately so hopefully this weekend will provide some decent waves.”

The 2011 Jim Beam Surftag is proudly supported by FCS, Sanyo and O’Neill.  Media partners for the series are Swellnet and Tracks surfing magazine with all event information at www.globalsurftag.com

2010 Women’s Jim Beam Surftag Team List.

1. North Narrabeen

2. North Steyne

3. Northern Beaches Women

4. Torquay

5. Women in Waves – Norah Head

6. Bondi A

7. Bondi B

8. Outtacontrolatrons

9. North Shelley

2010/11 Jim Beam Surftag Dates And Locations

Oct 15          Industry Challenge (Curl Curl) – Winners – Quiksilver

Oct 16          Trade Off (Curl Curl) – Winners – Bondi Lifeguards

Nov 13          Women’s Surftag (Dee Why)

Dec 11          NSW North Surftag (Newcastle)

Dec 18          Victoria Surftag (Jan Juc)

Jan 8            West Australia Surftag (Gas Bay)

Jan 15           Queensland Surftag (Duranbah)

Jan 29/30      NSW South Surftag (Cronulla)

Feb 3/4/5      Surftag Australian Final (Avalon, Sydney)