Burleigh Boardriders create history by taking out first Straddie Teams Assault at Main Beach
THE Burleigh Boardriders have created history by taking out their first Straddie Teams Assault at Main Beach, Point Lookout, in southerly bluster conditions.
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THE Burleigh Boardriders have created history by taking out their first Straddie Teams Assault at Main Beach, Point Lookout, in southerly bluster conditions.
“This is our biggest team win so far in the club’s history,” club spokesman Terry “Tappa” Teece said.
Burleigh won a cliffhanger from Point Lookout and Gold Coast North End Boardriders who finished equal second.
Every year 16 invited boardriding clubs with their support crew travel to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) for the derby.
It’s an annual ritual, a rite of passage for the boardriding clubs to catch the ferry across to Stradbroke Island and cut loose for a fun-filled but highly competitive teams’ event
Now in its 37th year, the Straddie Assault is the longest running boardriding club competition in Australia and arguably the world.
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Last year Burleigh were runners-up to Snapper but this year they went one better to score their maiden win.
Burleigh only resumed competing at the Straddie Assault in the past two years but their weekend victory proves they are now one of the best clubs in Australia right now.
Their strike weapon Liam O’Brien, who joined Burleigh when he was nine, excelled for the Red & Blue club. His inclusion was integral to the win.
O’Brien is on the verge of qualifying for next year’s World Surf League tour and managed to find the time to go to Straddie before hopping on a plane this week to compete in the Hawaiian world qualifying events.
He is rated 13th – just outside the cut-off – and is hoping to snare vital points in the following Hawaiian WQS events: 3000 Van Pro at Sunset Beach starting Monday and then the two big 10,000 WQS events in November at Haleiwa and Sunset.
It is crucial for O’Brien to make the top 12 in the WQS to earn his debut on the 2020 World Championship Tour.
While Burleigh claimed the individual Straddie teams title, Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club scored an upset win in the Tag Teams title.
Led by their power surfer/coach and former WCT competitor Lee Winkler, Coffs Harbour’s consistency proved to be the key.
The Straddie Teams Assault next year will be increased from 16 to 24 invited teams.
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STRADDIE ASSAULT RESULTS
1. Burleigh 22
Liam O’Brien, Thomas Woods, Rico Haybittle, Jay Thompson, Lucy Callister, Sein Fujimoto
=2. Point Lookout 20
Lincoln Taylor, Tim Taylor, Ethan Ewing, Zane Jenner, Bede Durbidge, Madison Parsons
=2. North End 20
Luke Hynd, Chris Bennetts, Brock Cooper, Eli McDonald, Dave McGrath, Sayaka Muramatsu
4. Snapper Rocks 19
Kai Tandler, Sheldon Simkus, Dextar Muskens, Jay Phillips, Max Kearney, Marlon Harrison, Raya Campbell.
TAG TEAMS: Coffs 1, PLB 2, Burleigh 3, LeBa (Lennox Ballina 4, Byron + Caba =5, Kingy + Noosa =7.
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