Maroubra United BRC is gearing up to compete in the upcoming Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final taking place at Burleigh Heads in Queensland.
Read: Maroubra Saints JFC Announces Exciting 2024 Season and Celebrates Prestigious Awards
Maroubra United BRC seeks championship
Maroubra United earned their spot in the national final after succeeding in the qualifying rounds held across Australia over the past few months. More than 80 clubs competed in these events, with only 42 clubs advancing to the Grand Final.
At the ABB Grand Final on March 9 and 10, Maroubra United will be represented by a team of five surfers across different divisions. Each club squad consists of two Open males, one Open female, one Junior (male or female) and one over-35 Master (male or female), in addition to their reserves.
The club will compete against squads boasting renowned surfers like 7-time World Champion Layne Beachley and other ex-pros including Danny Wills, Kieran Perrow, Josh and Sierra Kerr, and Bede Durbidge. The depth of talent at the event poses a formidable challenge for Maroubra United.
Challenging new format and location
This year the ABB Grand Final moves from Newcastle to Burleigh Heads, which will provide a much more difficult test for competitors. The event will run on a point break, requiring surfers to endure long paddling distances and running up the beach between waves.
Heats have also increased to 70 minutes from 60 minutes in previous years.
“There are a lot of exciting changes to the event this year that will create buzz for fans and some epic surfing,” said Surfing Australia Events Specialist Rohan Fell. “Teams will want to make sure they have selected their best athletes, so they don’t get knocked out in an early heat.”
World surfing champion Joel Parkinson from Snapper Rocks Surfriders expressed his thoughts:
“I know between the Burleigh boys they’re going to have a huge advantage, and some of the Gold Coast teams will have a good advantage. They’ve probably jumped quite a bit but some of the other teams that don’t spend their life jumping off these rocks are going to really have some drama.”
United for Maroubra
Maroubra United was established in 2015 with the goal of uniting the local surf community. The club was founded by presidents of three rival Maroubra clubs who sought to move past factions and agendas that had long divided local surfers.
They represent the entire Maroubra region and compete in events like the ABB as a cohesive team.
Read: Celebrating a Lifesaver: Peter Kirkwood of Maroubra SLSC Awarded an AM
The contest kicks off the new season for boardrider clubs around the country. After months of training, clubs are eager to showcase their talent in the nation’s premier team surfing event.
Published 23-February-2024