Torquay Boardriders Club progressed through to the National Final of the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) after they put the rest of the finalists in a combination situation to claim the win at the Victorian qualifier.
Now in its 10th season, the boardriders battle is the country’s biggest grassroots boardriders event, involving more than 60 of Australia’s best clubs, and boasting over $120,000 in prize money.
Conditions aligned at Woolamai Surf Beach, Phillip Island as competitors had clean three- to four-foot faces, allowing for searing carves to be displayed throughout the day.
The final was set with Peninsula, Torquay, Phillip Island and 13th Beach ready to battle it out for the two spots in the national final.
After looking strong all day Torquay came out on top to take home the $2000 in prize money and a guaranteed spot into the ABB National Final, scheduled to take place in 2023.
Torquay was steady all the way through the final with both Phillip Island Pro QS finalists, Xavier Huxtable and Tully Wylie, scoring around six points on their first waves giving the team a solid structure to continue on with as they battled towards the win.
“I love that the ABB provides a team aspect to surfing,” Wylie said.
“It’s such an individual sport so to share a win with your best mates is super cool.”
Finishing in second place and claiming the second spot in the National Final was Phillip Island on 24.73 points, ahead of the third-place team Peninsula on 18.10 points while 13th Beach finished in fourth place with 18.07 points.
The National Final is scheduled to take place on February 4 and 5.
