Form Guide Snapper Surfriders Win The Rhythm Kirra Teams Challenge

In: Form Guide Press Release 0 Comments Tue 15th Feb '11

Tags: rhythm kirra teams challenge , snapper surfriders , clint kimmins , joel parkinson , Mick Fanning

Coolangatta/Queensland/Australia (Sunday February 13th 2011): SNAPPER SURFRIDERS CLUB have confirmed their status as Australia's premier boardriding club by winning the 2011 Rhythm Kirra Teams Challenge in excellent 3 feet 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)

HONOR ROLL

1985 Kirra Surfriders Qld
1986 Merewether NSW
1987 Merewether NSW
1988 North Shore Qld
1989 Snapper Rocks Qld
1990 Kirra Surfriders Qld
1991 Alley Boardriders Qld
1992 Byron Bay NSW
1993 Kirra Surfriders Qld
1994 Kirra Surfriders Qld
1995 Snapper Rocks Qld
1996 Snapper Rocks Qld
1997 Snapper Rocks Qld
1998 Noosa Qld
1999 Snapper Rocks Qld
2000 Avoca NSW
2001 Angourie NSW
2002 Byron Bay NSW
2003 Snapper Rocks Qld
2004 Snapper Rocks Qld
2005 Snapper Rocks Qld
2006 Byron Bay NSW
2007 Lennox-Ballina NSW
2008 Kirra Surfriders Qld
2009 North End Boardriders Qld
2010 Werri Boardriders NSW

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