Scarborough Boardriders took out the 2024 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle South NSW Qualifier after an action-packed day at East Corrimal Beach on 2 November. The South Zone is a huge area from south of Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Victorian border. Each club send five surfers from open men, women, juniors and seniors in a tag team environment.
The local crew from Scarborough Boardriders was comprised of Mannix Squiers, Nic Squiers, Josh Pepper, Ashton Mekisic and Shyla Short. Scarborough had multiple stand-out moments as they progressed through heats, but it was young gun Mannix Squires who scored the highest heat score of the day in the final with an impressive 9.5 out of a possible 10, securing the win for the club. Special mention for Shyla Short for the Top Performing Junior Award.
Club president Christian De Clouett said he was super stoked on Scarborough's placing. "Our team is really strong at the moment and to just be able to take another win in Wollongong is so much fun."
Elouera, Scarborough, Maroubra United, Cronulla Sharks, Sandon Point, Ulladulla, Werri and Culburra all have now qualified for the national final, which will be held on March 8-9, 2025 at Burleigh Heads, QLD.
Final Results
- 1st - Scarborough Boardriders
- 2nd - Sandon Point Boardriders
- 3rd - Ulladulla Boardriders
- 4th - Elouera Boardriders
Next day, last pointscore
Last pointscore of the year was held at our home break Scarborough Beach on Sunday, November 3. It was a day of sunshine (eventually) and stoke and for some backing up from the highs of the Saturday Boardriders Battle win while others just chilled out and enjoyed the day.
It was also a last chance to get the scores that could land them on the end of year podium. In A Grade Mannix and Josh are both near the top of the rankings, but while Mannix took out the final in small windswept conditions, Josh somehow only got one wave with Fin in 2nd and Rod close behind in 3rd.
Someone who did manage to back up successfully from Saturday was Shyla Short, who posted another score in the excellent range 8.37 to win the Open Women with Talina 2nd and Macey less than a point behind in 3rd.
Perhaps the heat of the day with some unbelievable surfing considering the conditions was the U18s final. The surfers were split into two groups with Finn O’Connor sticking to the southern bank picking up fast right-hand grinders and hitting the lip with controlled whips, while Ashton sat on the northern bank and waited for the bombs that never came but surfed his heart out to finish 2nd.
Flynn, Rhett and Will were all throwing everything at it as well. Great heat to watch. And a quick shout out to Johnny Mac making his intentions clear in the over 55s that he’s back with his grovel on, snaking the little inside runners to defeat Dave Kemp with Nick Mac 3rd.
Future dates for your diary
- Usher Group 2025 World Club Challenge, Snapper Rocks QLD – 17-19 January 2025
- Australian Boardriders Battle National Final, Burleigh Heads, QLD – 8-9 March 2025