Kingy crew’s remarkable victory after 18 years

It’s been a long time between drinks for the Kingscliff boardriders, writes Andrew McKinnon.

IT’S been a long time between drinks for the Kingscliff Boardriders Club but the Kingy crew have nailed it by registering their first win in 18 years at the Fishbowl Global Surftag event at Duranbah.

Kingscliff is world famous for … let’s see, the 80s Surfing Sunnyboys band led by Jeremy Oxley, an Australian schoolboys champion in his day. No prizes for guessing the most notable Kingscliff product – without question seven-times world champion Stephanie Gilmore.

LATEST FROM BELLS BEACH

There’s lots of other hot surfers like Asher Pacey, Dean “Turbo”Bevan, Mitchell James, etc. but it’s the current crop such as Micah Margieson son of the “Great Margo” and Dane Henry that are but a few of the new gen hitting it up.

Kingscliff’s emerging star Micah Margieson following in the footsteps of his legendary Dad Brendan Margieson. Photo Adrian Bort/Adrenaline Shots.

“We have a really strong younger generation coming through at the moment lead by Micah and Dane as they have the results to show, but what the rest don’t see is the 40 or so groms who show up to board riders all ripping,” said Mitch James Team Coach and Team Captain of the winning side.

“The area is gradually growing and good surfers seem to be popping up everywhere and pushing each other. They are obviously the front runners and are ripping but I think it stems from them being pushed by all the new talent in the area and having to stand out around the rest, “said Mitch who is also an active member of the winning side.

WOMEN IN THE WAVES

Organiser of the Fishbowl Global Surf Tag qualifier Steve Harrison applauded Kingscliff’s upset win.

Audrey Styman Lane member of the undefeated All Girls DBah Team aiming for a 5 th consecutive National win. Photo by Adrian Bort/Adrenaline Shots.

“So good to see Kingscliff win their first Surftag Title in eighteen years and it just goes to show that anyone can win on their day especially in tag team surfing” he said.

“To beat Snapper, Burleigh, and DBah in pumping waves is massive and really puts Kingscliff in the mix to win an Australian Championship”.

RANKED: 10 BEST MALE COAST SURFERS

The All Girl DBah team comes away undefeated to attempt to secure their fifth straight Australian Title in next month’s Nationals.

The feat has never been achieved since Surftag started in 2001.

D’Bah will be up against North End, Cabarita, Burleigh Heads, North Narrabeen, Queenscliff, North Shelly and Werri Beach.

The women’s semi-finals are on May 10 followed by the four-team final on May 11.

In the men’s division, the Snapper Rocks Surfriders are out to defend their Australian title. They face stiff competition from last year’s runners-up Elouera Boardriders as well current NSW champions ­Maroubra United.

Kingscliff, Burleigh Heads, D’Bah, Palm Beach and Kirra clubs will also compete.