MARGARET RIVER Boardriders Club dominated the Western Australia Jim Beam Surftag on Saturday, sweeping the final with both their A & B teams claiming first and second position respectivel
In firing conditions at Gas Bay, the local boardriders club blew away their competition, jostling for the lead between each other the entire final. Margaret River will now be one of only a few clubs to have two teams through to the Australian Championships to be held at Duranbah Beach, Queensland on April 5 – 7.
Long-time rivals Yallingup Boardriders (73.07) were unable to reel in the leaders after Margaret River A (89.17) and B (79.67) started fast, while Geraldon Boardriders (57.33) failed to snatch a Nationals berth, finishing in fourth position in the final.
Dave Delroy-Carr.
Margaret’s local Dave Delroy-Carr said the club was rapt with the dominant show and are hopeful to carry their form into the Australian Championships.
“All the boys are frothing, Margies first and second, we were stoked,” he said.
“The conditions were perfect for the comp. Not too big so it was easy to get in and out really quick. We got it all done in six minutes each.”
“It was coming in on the inside ledge at Gas Bay, you could get three turns in and was so good for the comp. Both our teams were really solid.”
Along with Delroy-Carr, Jerome Forrest, Matt Baldock, Jethro Headstrom and Dave Macaulay won the $1500 cheque for the club and vital bragging rights over their peninsula foe.
“There’s a big rivalry between us and Yals – the cape to cape, we’re at one end and they are at the other,” said Delroy-Carr. “Everyone was going for it because they’ve always got such a strong team.”
“All the boys know how to surf Gas Bay but I think we just got a little bit of an advantage.”
Jay Davis.
The BOSCH Powerwave was as hard fought as the entire comp with Jethro Headstrom (Margaret River) grabbing the award from Jay Davies (Yallingup) on a countback after both surfers scored 8.83 on their leading waves.
The Jim Beam Surftag Boardriders Series has now completed its national tour as the pre-eminent event for surfing clubs in Australia. 2013 has been the biggest year of Jim Beam Surftag in its 12-year history with 32 teams now set to compete at the Australian Championships in April.
“We’re all pretty dialled into the teams format at the moment,” said Delroy-Carr.
“We can definitely mix it with those top clubs. We’re all surfing really well and everyone’s confident. It should be pumping but hopefully it’s not still flooding.”
Tomm Innes.
The winning club will receive $15,000, plus five spots on a Maldives 7 day boat trip valued at $10,000. LeBa (Lennox Head and Ballina) are the defending Australian Champions.
BOSCH, Sanuk, Perfect Wave Travel, Swimmable Underwear, Tracks and Coastalwatch proudly support the Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series.
For results, photos and videos from the event go to www.facebook.com/surftag and www.globalsurftag.com
