Club to reap huge rewards after ‘epic’ weekend win

The North Shore Boardriders are deciding what to do with their $20,500 prize money after a nailbiting battle ended in a huge win.

North Shore and supporters celebrate.

NORTH Shore Boardriders are deciding what to do with their $20,500 prize money after a nailbiting battle won them the best in Australia title.

The North Shore team, consisting of Alister and Jack Reginato, who competed in the open men's, Shane Bevan (over-35), Sophie McCulloch (open women) and Taj Stokes (junior) won the Australian Boardriders Battle in Newcastle on Sunday.

>> NORTH SHORE TRIUMPHS AT AUSTRALIAN BOARDRIDERS BATTLE

North Shore Boardriders president Shane Bevan said the thrilling win would help grow the club.

"It's the biggest prize pool and the biggest event … so to win, it's pretty up there and it's good to say that the Sunshine Coast has the best club in Australia, so we are proud about that," he said.

"It will also attract people to come and join the club."

After a well-deserved party Mr Bevan said the prize money would go towards supporting young surfers.

"We think we will help out some of the juniors and I think we might throw a little party too just to celebrate," he said.

The over-35 surfer said the club was still reeling after taking out the comp in the last seconds of the final.

"We are pretty over the moon and adrenaline is still pumping," he said.

"We are pleased and really relieved because last year's result, we came so close to winning it, and I think we had a bit of a fire in the belly."

Mr Bevan said last year's third place made winning even sweeter.

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"Last year there was 12 minutes to go and we needed a 5.5 (score), but no real waves broke so we were left starching our heads, but it was just mother nature," he said.

"This time the same person (Alister Reginato) had a really good wave come to him with (1 minute 20 seconds) on the clock and he got like an 8.2 and ended up crossing the line with two seconds to go, so it was pretty sweet that it happened this year."

In an earlier Sunshine Coast Daily interview, the 19-year-old said the last-gasp ride, worth 8.15 points was "epic".

"That wave just opened up when I needed it to," he said.

"It was nerve-racking. I couldn't tell if there was one second to go or 10 seconds to go and I just dived at the line. It was crazy."

Reginato said the team proved a point with the win.

"To get this win is huge. I think last year when we made the final and got third place a lot of other clubs or other people thought it might have been a fluke or been a one off," he said.

"So, to come again this year and make the final and take it out shows that we're a force to be reckoned with."

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