13th and Jan Juc secure National Final honours

LOCAL boardriding clubs 13th Beach and Jan Juc have qualified for the Australian Boardriders Battle National Final after strong performances in the state qualifying round at Phillip Island.

13th Beach claimed a second place to Peninsula Surfriders, while Jan Juc finished in third place to book its first ever shot at showcasing its skill on the national stage.

Eight clubs competed in the state qualifying event including hosts Phillip Island, Otway Boardriders, South Coast, Bass Coast, and Torquay.

After making the national final of the event earlier this year, Torquay was unable to lock in a spot at the Grand Final extravaganza, finishing third in its semi-final.

Peninsula Surfriders kicked off the final in the manner it wished, with strong surfing from open men’s surfers Pedro Lani and Lucas Hickson.

However, Phillip Island hit its straps when former Australian junior champion Codie Jeffrey found a bomb wave and secured a 7.17 ride.

13th Beach played a game of consistency, with each surfer playing their role and adding to the team’s score.

Power surfer Jack Bassett led by example and found some strong scoring potential to elevate 13th into second place as the buzzer sounded.

Jan Juc was in a tight battle with Phillip Island to gain the last qualifying spot.

Jan Juc’s junior surfer Dom Kellett leapt out of the gate using his youthful energy to make up time and pick up a great score with time running out.

With good heat time-management and consistent scores from then onwards, Jan Juc secured third place.

Peninsula put the icing on the cake of its victory when female surfer Sara Hickson scored a huge 8.33-point ride.

Hickson not only propelled her team to victory but was awarded the Boost Mobile Wave of the Day.

“I was pretty nervous paddling into that wave but I was able to pull it together and managed to get a couple good turns in.

“The club’s energy is so good, winning with PSC is just amazing. Such good support, I love it.”

Results:

1st – Peninsula SRC, 27.47

2nd – 13th Beach BRC, 22.56

3rd – Jan Juc BRC, 22.07

4th – Phillip Island BRC, 21.44

For full results, head to liveheats.com/surfingvictoria