North Shore Boardriders have cemented their place at the pinnacle of Australian club surfing, claiming victory at the 2025 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final, presented by NRMA Insurance. The prestigious event, held at Burleigh Heads on Queensland’s Gold Coast, delivered pumping three-to-four-foot surf and high-stakes drama as 42 of the nation’s top boardrider clubs vied for glory.
Facing a stacked lineup in the final heat, North Shore held their nerve and delivered a consistent stream of high-scoring performances across the team. With each surfer rising to the occasion, the Queensland club captured its second Grand Final title, reinforcing its legacy in Australian surfing and celebrating the strength of its community, strategy, and depth of talent.
Power Surfer Alister Reginato, who sealed the win with a critical final wave, described the moment as unforgettable.
"It's wild, the first time was unbelievable but it's a little more special doing it here at Burleigh," Reginato said. "This afternoon has been unbelievable, the team finally put a great heat together and everyone did amazing. The second time is pretty surreal!"
The final was a fiercely contested showdown between North Shore, Torquay, and Merewether, keeping spectators on Burleigh Hill gripped until the last siren. Merewether’s Morgan Cibilic made a strong opening statement, posting a commanding 8.50 ride. North Shore’s Sophie McCulloch quickly responded with a crucial 7.43, keeping her team in contention.
Torquay, who appeared poised for their maiden ABB title, surged ahead thanks to standout performances from Tully Wylie, who scored an 8.45, and Ellie Harrison with a sharp 7.28, giving the Victorian club a slender lead heading into the final exchanges.
With pressure mounting and just minutes remaining, North Shore's Reginato delivered a clutch 5.88, swinging momentum back in favour of his team. As Torquay’s Xavier Huxtable and Merewether’s Cibilic launched their final efforts to chase the needed scores, both came agonisingly short. When Cibilic slipped off his last wave and the siren sounded, the Burleigh crowd erupted in celebration for the new champions.
Despite the heartbreak, Torquay’s Ellie Harrison remained proud of her team’s effort.
"I'm so proud of Torquay no matter how we do," Harrison said. "I thought it might have been our time this year, but hopefully we'll get it done at the next ABB!"
North Shore's win came with a final score of 39.34, edging out Torquay at 38.19 and Merewether at 37.45. Snapper Rocks, North End, and Byron Bay rounded out the top six.
2025 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final – Final Results:
1st – North Shore – 39.34
2nd – Torquay – 38.19
3rd – Merewether – 37.45
4th – Snapper Rocks – 34.37
5th – North End – 30.66
6th – Byron Bay – 23.04
The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle, supported by NRMA Insurance, continues to be Australia’s premier grassroots surfing competition, bringing together the best boardrider clubs from across the country. With a rigorous qualifying process through state rounds, the Grand Final stands as the ultimate proving ground for national bragging rights and substantial prize money.
Following the success of the 2024 edition, the ABB Grand Final returned to Burleigh Heads for a two-day spectacle on April 12–13, 2025. The energy, talent, and drama on display reaffirmed the competition's reputation as the most exciting club surfing event on the national calendar.
As the sun set over Burleigh and North Shore raised the trophy, their second national title in hand, one thing was clear: the legacy of Australia’s best boardrider club has never looked stronger.
