The opening day of the 2025 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final presented by NRMA Insurance erupted in a flurry of action, emotion and surf stoke, as 42 of the country’s top clubs descended on Burleigh Heads for a fiercely competitive showdown.
With fun and contestable waves on offer, clubs from across Australia brought intensity and energy to the tag-team relay format. While the vibe on the hill was electric, the water was all business — and for some, heartbreak.
Wildcard entry Merewether Boardriders made an emphatic statement, posting the highest heat total of the day (41.49 points). Having narrowly missed qualification through the state rounds, the Newcastle-based crew proved they still belong among the nation’s best.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone. North Narrabeen Boardriders, one of the event’s powerhouse clubs, suffered a shock early exit. Former pro Nathan Hedge, surfing as the team’s Power Surfer, mistakenly caught two waves — in breach of competition rules that allow just one ride — resulting in a costly five-point penalty. The error proved decisive, ending the club’s Grand Final campaign before it could really begin.
Meanwhile, Snapper Rocks Boardriders, no strangers to Grand Final success, showed exactly why they’re considered one of Australia’s elite surf clubs. With consistent, high-impact surfing from all five team members, they charged through their opening heat with a solid 36.09-point total, setting the tone for another strong title tilt..
New for 2025, the Redemption Round added an extra layer of suspense, offering clubs that stumbled in their first heat a final shot at survival. Torquay Boardriders Club, widely tipped as event favourites, bounced back after a rocky start. With their campaign on the line, the Victorian club lifted when it mattered most, securing one of the final three places in Sunday’s Battle Rounds.
Off the sand and into the spotlight, the Mascot Challenge delivered a wildly entertaining intermission. Burleigh Hill came alive with colour, chaos and club pride as mascots competed for crowd adoration and a $2500 prize pool. In the end, judges couldn’t split the difference, awarding joint honours to North Shore Boardriders and Bungan Boardriders.
From emerging juniors to Olympians and World Champions, Day One offered a stirring reminder of the talent, depth and dedication that fuels Australia’s unique boardrider club culture. And with the crowd buzzing and the forecast promising, all signs point to an explosive Finals Day.
The Hyundai ABB Grand Final format is unlike anything else in surfing — with five-person teams made up of Open Men, Open Women, Junior, Masters and a Power Surfer competing in a tag-team relay. Add in Burleigh’s tricky rock jump, a 500m sprint up the hill, and a stacked field of WSL stars past and present, and you've got a spectacle built for drama.
As action resumes today, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With bragging rights and the national title on the line, the last clubs standing will give everything they’ve got in pursuit of ABB glory.
