Snapper make it 3 Kirra Teams Challenges in a Row! - Final Day's Competition Rip Curl Kirra Teams Challenge
Monday, 28 February 2005
The Rip Curl Kirra Teams Challenge -- National gathering of 32 of
Australia's best Boardriding clubs, surfing a teams event to determine
a winner
Duranbah Beach Northern NSW
Snapper Boardriders Club (Coolangatta Gold Coast) confirm their status as Australia's number one club!
The Rip Curl Kirra teams Challenge is widely regarded as Australia's most prestigious and legitimate gathering of Boardriders clubs from throughout Australia and once again, Gold Coast's super powerful and prestigious club, Snapper Rocks have taken out first place following an exhaustive three days of high impact and entertaining surfing.
Coming into today's final day of competition three clubs were locked together on twenty points and tied for the lead =- Snapper, Byron Bay and the surprise group who traveled all the way from Margaret River Western Australia!
Snapper final surfers on paper looked ominously strong, particularly with Josh Kerr listed as their final surfer. Kerr is an excellent surfer in any almost any conditions and has the ability to deliver the super high 9 point rides if required by calling on his aerial moves - Coming into today's final heat, Snapper were still holding down the lead and Kerr and his team mates knew, a first or second placing in this final heat would deliver the title to the Snapper boys - High risk moves were not required, a consistent sensible heat was and Kerr went about the heat in a determined and clinical fashion to eventually outpoint highly rated Sydney surfer Matt Bemrose to take the heat and the win - His performance again included that trademark aerial finish on his best wave which was rewarded with an excellent 8.33 score.
By days end Snapper won convincingly posting 30 points across their eight surfers -- (each heat awarded 4,3, 2 AND 1 POINT for placings) with a three way tie between Margaret River, Nth Steyne (Manly) and Palm Beach all on 27 points - Margaret River being awarded second on a count back of most number of heat wins and Nth Steyne finishing third with palm Beach 4th.
For Margaret River, the result was sensational and highlights the opportunity for clubs from anywhere in Australia to travel and win this event.
The win completes a sensational 6 month period for Snapper , Last November they won the Australasian Pro Junior Club Titles at Burleigh Heads -- in almost identical circumstances where Kerr brought the team home with an emphatic final heat win, and today's Open Rip Curl Kirra Teams Title stands the club as clearly Australia's and probably the World's most powerful Boardriding Club!
With club surfing absolutely booming throughout just about every coastal surf town in Australia and similar trends worldwide expectations are high for further national series and international events with a likelihood of International Club finals in the near future - and clearly Snapper would relish that opportunity.
The unique format of the Rip Curl Kirra Teams challenge requires teams to enter 8 surfers, comprising 5 Open, 2 Pro Junior (under 20) and 1 Senior (over 30)
Snapper Team included - Josh Kerr, Josh Fuller, Shaun Gossman, Dean Harrington, Shaun Harrington, Damon Harvey, Jay Phillips, Shane Bevan