LOCAL CLUB MAKES HISTORY AT THE 2025 HYUNDAI AUSTRALIAN BOARD RIDERS BATTLE NATIONAL FINALS
North Shore Board Riders (NSB) have officially joined an esteemed group of clubs, claiming their second Australian title, a feat achieved by only two others in Australia.
The club reigned supreme over 41 clubs after an unforgettable weekend of surfing action at Burleigh Heads. Taking down Torquay, Merewether, Snapper Rocks, North End and Byron Bay in the final, it was a true team effort with an average team wave score of 6.5 out of a possible 10.
Alister Reginato, Luke Brumby, Sophie McCulloch, Landen Smales and Blake Wilson are incredibly proud to have brought the title back to the Sunshine Coast. Club president, Troy Currell reflects on the hard work, unity and passion that has made this dream a reality.
“The team’s victory in the surf competition filled the North Shore Boardriders Club and its supporters with immense pride… From the surfers in the water to the fans on the beach, everyone felt the energy and spirit of what it means to represent North Shore. It was a moment that brought the whole community together, reminding everyone why this club is so special.”
The Australian Board Riders Battle (ABB) took place following several nation-wide qualifying events which took place in 2024. The top performing clubs from each state are then selected to compete in the National Final where they have the chance to claim a highly sought after Australian Title. NSB won their first ABB National Final in Newcastle in 2020 with a historical finish, crossing the finish line in the dying seconds.
Unlike a standard surfing event, the ABB is a tag team event where 5 team members (2 x Open Men, 1 x Female, 1 x Junior and 1 x Over 35) compete in a relay style event and only get one scoring wave that contributes to the overall team total. Each team also has the opportunity to send one surfer back out for an extra wave, otherwise known as the power wave. The Burleigh Head’s location has taken tag teams to the next level, adding a gruelling run up the entire hill with a spectacle finish line in front of a packed crowd.
Streamed live on Kayo Sport, the event format is designed to excitement for spectators, and this final was a testament to that with it all coming down to the final wave score from each team. As the ‘power surfer’, Alister Reginato was tasked with the high-pressure job of making sure his final wave was better than that of the other teams. Reginato performed with his usual casual confidence, securing a 5.88 and crossing the finish line with time to spare. The team took down Torquay Board Riders by a very narrow margin of 1.15 points.
“There is definitely some added pressure being the power surfer. However, I feel a lot more comfortable being the person in the water with all the control… I knew going into the final… I was aware I needed to put something together. I wasn’t super stoked on the whole wave I got but it was enough and in that moment we were all so happy”, reflects Reginato.
Australia’s Board Riders culture is like nowhere else in the world, with local clubs fostering a passionate and community focused environment for surfers of all ages and skill levels. All clubs are volunteer run, bringing together like-minded people for friendly competition and grassroots development. The North Shore Board Riders club has been running at Maroochydore Beach since 1969. The club, thrives off collective contribution and has built a culture around members getting involved at every level, from administration right through to helping set up, pack up, judge and run barbeques at each monthly club round.
The team is proud to be bringing another Australian Title trophy back to the clubhouse and would like to extend an enormous Thank You to all supporters both on the beach and watching from home.
NSB is grateful to be supported by a number of local businesses, and as a non-for-profit the club graciously welcomes sponsorship in order to continue to grow the community and support surfing on the Sunshine Coast at a developmental level. Please contact northshoreboardridersclub@gmail.com or 0419 428 130 to enquire about sponsorship.
Follow @northshoreboardridersclub to stay up to date with the clubs progress, and @sunshinecoastsports for all the latest Sunshine Coast Sporting news.
