For immediate release
09/04/2024
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: Surfing
Event: 2024 Hurley New Zealand Boardrider Club Championships
Location: Whangamata
Date: 13-14 April
Pumping conditions predicted for Hurley Boardrider Clubs Champs return to Whangamata
New Zealand’s top boardrider clubs will battle it out this weekend (13-14 April ) to attain national bragging rights and a chance to represent New Zealand again on the world stage.
With an epic forecast, offshore winds and building swell, the Hurley New Zealand Boardrider Club Championships presented by Volkswagen takes place at Whangamata Beach on the 13-14 April after postponement due to lack of swell in March. A field comprising ten boardrider clubs from around Aotearoa will battle it out across the spectacular two-day event.
The triumphant club will represent New Zealand at the Usher Cup World Club Challenge to be held on Australia’s Gold Coast in early 2025 where they will join upward of ten nations and swath of clubs from Australia.
The Hurley New Zealand Boardrider Club Championships presented by Volkswagen is a highlight of the domestic surfing calendar combining team surfing with individual results, bringing out the best in club comradery.
Bay Boardriders will be out to defend their title after a much-celebrated win in 2023. The win saw them head to the Usher Cup, the second team to ever represent New Zealand at the event. The club placed 21st overall and Timothy O’Connor finished 17th in the Open Men’s Division as the top placed Kiwi. Tao Mouldey, Elin Tawharu and Jack Hinton also made up the team.
With board riders clubs across Aotearoa growing in strengths every year it is expected that the 2024 Hurley Boardrider Club Championships will be bigger than ever with Point Boardriders (2022 Champions) and Keyhole Boardriders (2021) back with a vengeance and eager to get back on the podium after their earlier successes. An all star team of Elliot Paerata Reid, Andrew Robinson will surf in the Open division with Liam Joyce in the Over 40s and Leia Millar in the women’s in this years event.
These proud clubs will be aiming for nothing less than the chance to represent New Zealand on the world stage on the Gold Coast in 2025.
The tag team format is the essence of the Hurley New Zealand Boardrider Club Championships presented by Volkswagen and involves all five surfers in the team going out and catching two waves in succession. A win in the tag team component of the event is worth 50% of the points up for grabs and ultimately decides the champion club.
Club teams comprise between five and ten surfers. The tag team event has five surfers taking part and clubs can opt to change out surfers for the individual heats if they choose. Divisions contested are Open Men’s and Women’s Divisions, Under 18s Division and Over 40s Division giving opportunity to ever level of club surfer to compete in this fun club on club event.
This year will see 10 clubs from all around the country attend the event from North Coast Boardriders in Northland to Oakura Boardriders in Taranaki , Tairua Boardriders in the Coromandel and everywhere in between.
A full hospitality area will be set up at the beach courtesy of Hurley and Volkswagen where teams and spectators alike can hang out and enjoy the fun atmosphere. Clubs will bring their own tents, flags and support crew to make the most of the two days.
Further Information
For further information on the 2024 Hurley New Zealand Club Championships, please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High resolution action images of the surfing at the event will be available to media free of charge.
Event Hotline
Event details can be found on Liveheats.com/Surfing New Zealand This will be updated daily at approximately 7am with venue, divisions contested and conditions for the day.
Partners
Generous support from Hurley and Volkswagen has made the event possible.
Surfing New Zealand is proudly partnered by:
Sport New Zealand
Sun Bum
Volkswagen
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