Jan Juc qualify for second straight ABB National Final

JAN Juc Boardriders has again staked its claim as the region’s top local boardriding club by finishing third in the Australian Boardriders Battle Victorian Qualifier over the weekend.

The local club claimed a top three spot to set themselves up with a shot at ultimate glory at the National Final event in March 2026.

This year marked the second straight year Jan Juc had finished as the top local club at the event.

Phillip Island claimed overall victory on home turf, with power surfer Carl Wright putting it all on the line to pull his team onto the top of the podium.

Wright, who won the Celsius Overall Performer of the Day, was complemented well by Joe Van Dijk, Lilian Baseed, Walter Hiatt and Jarrah Cicero.

Peninsula Surfriders were in second place, led by up-and-coming star Lucas Hickson.

Torquay Boardriders finished fourth in the state qualifying event and will need to rely on a wildcard to defend their runner-up finish at this year’s National Final.

Wright was rapt with the Phillip Island team’s efforts on the day.

“The surf got pretty tough in the afternoon, but it’s always a good day to get club surfing up and going,” he said.

“We finished fourth last year in the final, so we didn’t get to go to the national final, which cut us deep.

“Personally, I had a bit of an average performance that day, so I was fired up to fly the flag today and happy with how it went.”

Club president Jake Eisen praised the team’s effort.

“We’ve been training, so that’s why it’s been so sick. We’ve actually put a bit of effort in this year and just gone back to basics — we haven’t overcomplicated it,” he said.