A hard fought win for team Snapper. All photos: Wes Lonergan
Some of the world’s leading surfers shared waves at Duranbah beach, Coolangatta, during the QLD leg of the Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series.
Parko.
With a solid swell pushing 4-5 foot sets through all day, competitors welcomed the D-Bah perfect conditions, which crowned Snapper Boardriders as the 2012 QLD champions.
Mick.
Huge exchanges filled the final between 2x world champion Mick Fanning (Kirra) opening with a 8.5, Snapper surfers Joel Parkinson and Jay Phillips answered back with massive snaps and Byron Bay’s Garret Parks huge reverse before tagging Pipe Master Kieren Perrow.
Kieren.
Snapper were out in front early with Shaun Gossman setting a 19.66 standard that was rivalled by the mighty Mick Fanning (Kirra) who cemented a massive 9.5 Jim Beam Black Power wave pushing Kirra ahead.
Local Duranbah surfer and current Junior World Champion Jack Freestone, threw his board around for some flashy cut-backs to post an equally impressive 19.33, but it wasn’t enough to take the win after Eli Jacobs and Jay Phillips followed Gossman’s initial lead to victory.
Jack.
“It’s been a long time coming for us, the last three years have been incredible surf and this year we came up trumps it was a great performance for everyone today”.
“Kirra have won the last three years and gave us a great run for our money today, I’m stoked we got on top of them this time and its still a good result for them (Kirra) because they go along to the finals in Ballina”, said Phillips.
Melling.
Jay Phillips keeps on top of his game surfing with the young grommets that come though Snapper Boardriders and is looking forward to taking the Australian Title when the final comes to Ballina next month.
“I love doing these events because its something to give back to the future of our club, and it keeps me on my toes and up with the groms. I hope 2012 is the year for us, hopefully we get good waves in Ballina, it’s a step closer to our home turf”, said Phillips.
Dave Readon-Smith.
It wasn’t just the final that set big scores, early on Mark Occhilupo (Snapper B team) posted the mornings highest heat total with a 25.34, then stamped an impressive 31.5 later in the day attempting to secure the Perfect Wave Experience.
Occ.
But it was Mick Fanning with his huge 33.5 combined heat total that walked away with not only the Jim Beam Power wave but the 7 day trip to the Maldives courtesy of the Perfect Wave Surf Experience.
Run.
For the first time in ten years the Australian Titles will be moved out of Sydney and contested in Ballina at North Wall, where the Northern NSW and QLD teams are sure to prove strong competition on February 22nd and 23rd 2012.
Eighteen clubs from QLD and the NSW Far North Coast competed in this weekends tag team event, which pitted teams of five surfers against each other in one-hour heats. Each surfer had 12 minutes to catch three scoring rides with their second wave score doubled as a ‘powerwave’.
Stu.
The National series is Australia’s largest team surfing competition featuring a combined prize pool of over $130,000. The Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series provides a national competition for over 80 boardriding clubs to determine Australia’s No.1 club
RESULTS
1st – Snapper
2nd – Byron Bay
3rd – Kirra
4th – D-Bah
For all Jim Beam Surftag information visit www.globalsurftag.com
For live results and event photographs follow www.facebook.com/surftag
The 2012 Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series is proudly supported by FCS, Tracks and www.theperfectwave.com.au
The 2012 Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series is a supporter of www.surfaidinternational.org
2012 Jim Beam Surftag dates and locations:
October 21st 2011: Surf Industry Challenge – Winners – O’Neill
October 22nd 2011: Trade Off – Winners – Labourers
November 19th 2011: WA Championships – Winners – Trigg Point
December 3rd 2011: VIC Championships – Winners – Phillip island
January 7th 2012: NSW North Championships – Winners – Merewether
January 14th 2012: QLD Championships – Winners – Snapper
January 21/22: NSW South Championships, North Narrabeen, NSW
February 5th 2012: Women’s Championships, Curl Curl, NSW
February 21st: Boardriders Cup, North Wall, Ballina, NSW
February 22/23, 2012: Australian Championships, North Wall Ballina, NSW
