Australia’s most exciting club surfing competition is back, and it’s all going down this weekend. The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final, presented by NRMA Insurance, hits Burleigh Heads on April 12–13, bringing together the best of grassroots surfing at one of the country’s most iconic surf breaks.
After a groundbreaking 2024 edition that turned heads across the nation, the event returns to the Gold Coast with 42 top boardrider clubs from around the country vying for national glory, serious prize money, and the ultimate bragging rights in Australia’s biggest club surfing competition.
The ABB Grand Final has made its name with a format that’s as thrilling as the waves themselves. Each club sends a five-person team—Open Men, Open Women, Junior, Masters, and a Power Surfer—to compete in a tag-team relay style event. It’s a blend of strategy, speed, surf skill, and endurance, delivering some of the most intense and unpredictable heats in competitive surfing.
What makes Burleigh even more of a battleground? The rock jump, a 500m sprint up Burleigh Hill, and extended heat times to match. With a lineup packed with past, present, and future World Surf League (WSL) stars, spectators can expect non-stop action all weekend long.
Surfing Roots Run Deep
Surfing icon Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, a Gold Coast local, summed up the feeling perfectly :
“All our point breaks are world famous and we’re blessed to live here really.
Burleigh is the king today and I tell you what, it’s merciless.
There’s always been a run element in the ABB but this year is just next level.
You have to have some ironman qualities about you and it’s a big test for everyone.
Club surfing is really an institution in Australia…
Some surfers seriously grow a foot taller when they put their club colours on.”
It’s not just about the waves—it’s about club pride and decades of tradition. Many of the competing clubs have been around for more than 60 years, and that passion comes alive in every heat.
While local clubs will be strong contenders on home turf, they’ll be up against powerhouses like North Shelly, Merewether, Snapper Rocks, Avoca, and Yallingup—all with their sights set on the national title.
Not Just Surfing—It’s a Full Festival Vibe
Fans heading to Burleigh this weekend are in for more than just epic surf. The event will feature:
- Live DJ sets, food trucks, and the Jim Beam public bar
- Meet and greets with Olympians, World Champions, and Surfing Legends
- A record haul of $200K in giveaways and prizes for both competitors and attendees
And for those who can’t make it in person, the entire event will be streamed live on YouTube, Kayo Freebies, and Foxtel. The semi-finals and final will also receive special broadcast treatment on Foxtel and Kayo Freebies, giving fans a front-row seat to the ultimate clash of club surfing titans
