Kingscliff Boardriders finish 5th in Rhythm Kirra Teams Challenge
Congratulations to the Kingscliff Boardriders Team of Trevor Gleave, Dean “Turbo” Bevan, Brad King, Richie Stephens, Mitch James, Jarrod “Tank” White, Dean “Chook” Walpole and Elliot Bemrose who stormed to 5th place in the Rhythm Kirra Teams Challenge.
This is our best showing to date and proof that KBC are one of the strongest clubs in Australia.
We scored 5 heat wins out of 8 courtesy of Trevor, Brad, Richie, Mitch and Jarrod and completed our results with a 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
Well done to all the team and supporters and expect to see more of the Kingy Crew dominating in the near future!
PRESS RELEASE BELOW
SNAPPER SURFRIDERS CLUB have confirmed their status as Australia’s premier boardriding club by winning the 2011 Rhythm Kirra Teams Challenge in excellent 1m (3feet) surf at Duranbah Beach on the southern Gold Coast.
It was Snapper’s 9th win of this prestigious title, placing them well ahead of their closest rival Kirra who placed second.
Today’s victory was typical of this event, getting down to the very last surfer of their 8 man team to bring the victory home in a nail biting finish.
Clint Kimmins was the Snapper surfer with all the pressure placed on him as the final surfer. The equation was simple, win the heat and win the title for Snapper, lose and the title would be won by either Merewether (NSW) or Kirra (Qld).
It was a see-sawing duel between Kimmins and Palm Beach Boardriders surfer Jeff Norris with multiple changes in the lead but in the end Kimmins won by just 0.23 of a point.
“That was the toughest heat I’ve surfed” said a relieved Kimmins after the heat.
“ Surfing for the team, I knew the situation and I just tried to concentrate on surfing my best but the pressure was there – knowing Parko and Deano and the whole rest of the team had done their job to get us to a winning position – it was tough but it feels great now – we’re number one club!”
Snapper’s win was incredible as they started the event with 3 consecutive 2nd placings in their 8 surfer team and many thought they were gone in the early stages.
However, their final 5 surfers brought home 5 consecutive wins and they stole the title.
Their team and heat placing were as follows – Blake Ainsworth (2nd), Mitch Crews (2nd), Jay Phillips (2nd), Ice Periera-Ryan (1st), Shaun Gossman (1st), Joel Parkinson (1st), Dean Morrison (1st) and Clint Kimmins (1st).
A number of outstanding ASP World Tour and former world tour surfers competed for the pride of their club today, lead by former two time world champion Mick Fanning surfing for Kirra and Joel Parkinson surfing for the winners.
Both Fanning and Parkinson won their heats for their clubs, Fanning particularly impressive posting the events highest heat tally of 18.73 which included a pair of outstanding 9 point rides.
Boardriding club passion runs stronger every year and this event epitomizes the grass roots strength of the local clubs from around Australia.
For 2011, the Rhythm Kirra Teams Challenge final rankings are as follows –
1, Snapper Surfriders (Qld)
2, Kirra Surfriders (Qld)
3, Merewether Boardriders (NSW)
4, Cabarita (NSW)
5, Kingscliff (NSW)
6. Noosa (Qld)
7. North Narrabeen (NSW)
8. Byron Bay (NSW)
9. D/Bah (NSW)
10. Long Reef (NSW)
Point Lookout
Le Ba
Burleigh
North End
Palm Beach
Queenscliff
MNM
NASA
Werri
Freshwater
Bondi
North Shore
Avoca
Alley
North Steyne
Kawana
Mudjimba
Wind and Sea
Coolum
Surfrider
Brunswick