Surfers and NRL players will headline a celebrity touch football game during the upcoming National Final of the Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle in Cronulla. Cronulla Sharks Wade Graham and Matt Prior will fly the flag for the locals at the charity event Saturday, January 24.
The Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle is the country's biggest grassroots, boardriders event series with $120,000 in prize money. It involves Australia's best boardriders clubs in eight State qualifying rounds and will culminate in a two-day National Final starting on Saturday.
Also playing are Sydney Roosters Aidan Guerra, Mitchell Aubusson, Martin Kennedy and Craig Fitzgibbons. Sharks players Michael Gordon and Chris Heighington will also be joining the event.
2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson will lead the surfers lineup. Other surfers set to test themselves against the NRL players include Gold Coaster Bede Durbidge, seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley and big wave charger/mixed martial artist Richie Vaculik.
Former top whistle-blower Bill Harrigan will referee the match, to be held on the sand adjacent to the Dunningham Park event site at 4.30pm.
The aim is to help raise money for the Surf for Life Project, which enables underprivileged kids from all around Australia to experience the joy of surfing for the very first time. A group from the program will also be in attendance.
Supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, the 2015 the Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle is shaping up to be a highlight on the summer calendar.
“The Final of the Boardriders Battle will be a great spectacle, and North Cronulla Beach is set to fill with competitors, locals and visitors alike,†said Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman. “The carnival atmosphere will be fantastic and I can't wait to get down and watch the event."
Several special awards will also presented including the Wayne Bartholomew Medal and Layne Bartholomew Medal for the best performing male and female surfer at the event with the winners also receiving $1000 each; the Milwaukee Heavy Duty Hack Award to the surfer who displays the biggest and best power move, with the winner receiving $1500 in Milwaukee equipment and $1000; the Fox Sports Patriot Club Award worth $5000 to the club that demonstrates the most passionate spirit during the National Final; and the FCS Team Sponsorship worth $1000 and $500 of FCS product to the clubs finishing first and second.
In total $120,000 is up for grabs across the entire National Series including the National Final. There is $33,000 available across the eight State qualifying events, while $87,000 will be on offer at the National Final. The winning boardriders club will receive $20,000, while $42,000 will be split between the clubs finishing second to 20th.
The Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle will be telecast live on Fox Sports 2 (Saturday, January 24) and Fox Sports 5 (Sunday, January 25) plus streamed on www.australianboardridersbattle.com.
Surfers, NRL Players Footy Clash at Australian Boardriders Battle
WSL
Surfers and NRL players will headline a celebrity touch football game during the upcoming National Final of the Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle in Cronulla. Cronulla Sharks Wade Graham and Matt Prior will fly the flag for the locals at the charity event Saturday, January 24.
The Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle is the country's biggest grassroots, boardriders event series with $120,000 in prize money. It involves Australia's best boardriders clubs in eight State qualifying rounds and will culminate in a two-day National Final starting on Saturday.
Also playing are Sydney Roosters Aidan Guerra, Mitchell Aubusson, Martin Kennedy and Craig Fitzgibbons. Sharks players Michael Gordon and Chris Heighington will also be joining the event.
2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson will lead the surfers lineup. Other surfers set to test themselves against the NRL players include Gold Coaster Bede Durbidge, seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley and big wave charger/mixed martial artist Richie Vaculik.
Former top whistle-blower Bill Harrigan will referee the match, to be held on the sand adjacent to the Dunningham Park event site at 4.30pm.
The aim is to help raise money for the Surf for Life Project, which enables underprivileged kids from all around Australia to experience the joy of surfing for the very first time. A group from the program will also be in attendance.
Supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, the 2015 the Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle is shaping up to be a highlight on the summer calendar.
“The Final of the Boardriders Battle will be a great spectacle, and North Cronulla Beach is set to fill with competitors, locals and visitors alike,†said Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman. “The carnival atmosphere will be fantastic and I can't wait to get down and watch the event."
Several special awards will also presented including the Wayne Bartholomew Medal and Layne Bartholomew Medal for the best performing male and female surfer at the event with the winners also receiving $1000 each; the Milwaukee Heavy Duty Hack Award to the surfer who displays the biggest and best power move, with the winner receiving $1500 in Milwaukee equipment and $1000; the Fox Sports Patriot Club Award worth $5000 to the club that demonstrates the most passionate spirit during the National Final; and the FCS Team Sponsorship worth $1000 and $500 of FCS product to the clubs finishing first and second.
In total $120,000 is up for grabs across the entire National Series including the National Final. There is $33,000 available across the eight State qualifying events, while $87,000 will be on offer at the National Final. The winning boardriders club will receive $20,000, while $42,000 will be split between the clubs finishing second to 20th.
The Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle will be telecast live on Fox Sports 2 (Saturday, January 24) and Fox Sports 5 (Sunday, January 25) plus streamed on www.australianboardridersbattle.com.
Bede Durbidge
With all the attention on the Brazilian Storm, could the Aussies fly under the radar and score Olympic gold?
In 2014, a trip to the bottom after a round 3 wipeout left Bede Durbidge with a broken pelvis and a competitive career in jeopardy.
Mick Fanning began a title-winning year with victory at his home break, and a 14-year-old Carissa Moore surfed from trials to finals.
Why, after 35 years, this is still the trophy every surfer wants to own (next to a World Title).
And that's good news for the future of surfing in Australia.
Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle
Australia's biggest grassroots surfing competition is about to get underway.
The World No. 2's biggest opponent this weekend wasn't a surfer, but the local pool.
World No. 2 Tyler Wright took one for the team (literally) at the Australian Boardriders Battle.
Defending champions Snapper Rocks Surfriders go back-to-back.
Surfers put it all on the line for the opening day of the national final.