Past and present names from the World Surf League Championship took the competition by storm in the early phases of the 2019 Nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Final on Friday.
Women’s rookie Macy Callaghan gave her club, North Shelly Boardriders, a fast start thanks to her nine-point display in the wake of two big backhand hits at Newcastle Beach.
It’s been almost seven years since Joel Parkinson was crowned WSL champion, and he helped push Snapper Rocks Surfriders into a strong position ahead of the final day.
Retired veteran Bede Durbidge was perhaps the most impressive name to feature, though, as he hit the highest single wave and recorded a 9.80 to nudge his Point Lookout Boardriders ahead, per WSL.com:
“I love this weekend. Representing all of the great people from North Stradbroke Island is amazing. It was cool to come up against Kai Otton (former CT surfer), it was just like a heat on tour. It’s great to have the jersey on again – I’m feeling really good and it’s nice to know I can still post solid numbers.”
