Form Guide Snapper take the QLD Title in Perfect Conditions at D-Bah

In: Form Guide Press Release 1 Comments Tue 17th Jan '12

Tags: jim beam surftag

Some of the worlds leading surfers shared waves at Duranbah beach, Coolangatta, during the QLD leg of the Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series today.

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.

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.

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 cutbacks 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.

"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.

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

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.

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.

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'.

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