By Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece
THE CHANCE for tens on the northern side of the border to qualify for the final of the Australian Boardriders Battle happens this weekend at Duranbah Beach.
Southern teams, Dbah, Kirra and the mighty Snapper Rocks Surfriders will be competing against teams from all over Queensland for the four qualifying spots available.
Competition will commence on Saturday from 8am, and competition will be red hot with World Tour surfers eligible to compete for their clubs.
If all do show up, Snapper Rocks will have a formidable team, with Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmore and their plethora of rippers available, they will be the team to beat.
No confirmation from any of the teams yet, but Kirra could have Mick Fanning, and Dbah have Jack Freestone available.
Each club team/squad will consist of one Junior (male or female), four Opens (three males and one female) and one Over 35 (male or female).
Each club will be competing in the tag team event, but there will also be the skins event where the best surfer from each club competes, the heat winners allowed to continue on and gain more points for their club. There will also be women’s heats as well, based on the one highest scoring wave.
Now this weekend, all eyes are on Snapper Rocks, but there will be some strong competition, with Burleigh Boardriders the defending Queensland Champions.
One team to lookout for, pardon the pun, is Point Lookout from North Stradbroke Island. With Bede Durbidge, Ethan Ewing, and the rest of their crew they will be the real wildcards.
Get down to Duranbah this Saturday and check the action out! The qualifying round for Northern NSW teams will be at Coffs Harbour the following weekend. A bit of driving for Kingscliff and Caba Boardriders to do.
Marlon Harrison take the Win
Coolangatta surfer Marlon Harrison has won the first round of the Queensland Grommet Titles at solid waves at Anne Street Caloundra last weekend.
Harrison launched a vertical backhand attack to the waves at the Sunshine Coast reef break, and in the end taking the win, and a lead in the grommet ratings.
Marlon looks to be following in the footsteps of his big sister, Piper Harrison who won the Queensland Open Womens Title at 16 years of age, and will be surfing in the Roxy Pro Trials in 2018.
Marlon has the style and ability to take the Queensland Title home in the second and final round at Duranbah in October.
The top three under 14 boys and girls qualify for the Australian Junior Titles and the end of 2017. The final round will follow the final round of the Queensland Junior Titles the week before.
