Nail-biting close finish in Burleigh Heads last weekend saw Byron surfers pipped by North Shelly Boardriders
In a tightly-contested competition, Byron Bay Boardriders Club were oh so close to claiming victory at the Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB), held in Burleigh Heads last weekend.
North Shelly Boardriders Club claimed the title of Australia’s best boardrider club in the grand final.
The event is described as the ‘biggest grassroots surfing series, involving over 80 boardrider clubs in eight state qualifying rounds before culminating in the epic grand final showdown’.
‘The event has been instrumental in strengthening club culture, fostering future champions, and celebrating Australia’s deep connection with surfing’, say organisers.
‘The event features club teams of five – comprising open men, open women, junior, masters, and a “power surfer” – compete in a tag-team relay style event. Strategy, endurance, and surf prowess combine to create some of the most intense and dramatic heats seen in competitive surfing.
Dreamy three-to-four-foot conditions
‘With extended heat times to accommodate the challenging Burleigh rock jump into the ocean, the 500m sprint up Burleigh Hill, and a field stacked with past, present, and future World Surf League (WSL) stars, the stage was set for an electrifying showdown at one of Australia’s most iconic right-hand point breaks’.
In a media release, event organisers said, ‘Burleigh Heads delivered firing, dreamy three-to-four-foot conditions, setting the perfect stage for a finals day packed with high-stakes drama and elite-level surfing’.
‘The event brought together 42 of Australia’s top boardrider clubs, all battling through state qualifying rounds to earn their place at the prestigious national final.
‘In a final that was ultimately decided on the sand after the buzzer, North Shelly Boardriders held their nerve and delivered high-scoring performances from all five surfers.
‘The victory marks the club’s second ABB grand final win, deeply cementing North Shelly’s legacy in Australian surfing history.
Down to final scores
‘With no teams able to cross the finish line in the dying seconds, it all came down to the final scores from each club’s “power surfer”, highlighted by a dramatic exchange between North Shelly’s Hughie Vaughan and Byron Bay Boardriders Club’s Dakoda Walters’.
Dakoda Walters
Walters posted an excellent 8.08 to briefly move Byron Bay into the lead, but Vaughan answered moments later, launching a massive air to also post an 8.08 on his final ride and secure the event for North Shelly.
‘Surfing as North Shelly’s “power surfer”, Vaughan wasted no time, launching a huge air straight off the bat that earned an outstanding 8.88 and instantly put his club into contention.
‘In a format where momentum can swing with the unpredictably of the ocean, North Shelly capitalised as teammates added crucial scores across the heat.
‘I haven’t even tried an air all weekend,’ Vaughan said.
‘I figured now that we’re in the final, I might as well go for it. We have to go hard because this final’s lineup is absolutely crazy.’
Organisers said, ‘Despite falling just short of the title, the Byron Bay Boardriders Club delivered a standout campaign, producing multiple high-scoring rides across the final.
‘Their run to the decider demonstrated the club’s strength and ensured the pressure remained firmly on the eventual champions right through to the final exchanges.
Soli Bailey
‘Byron Bay “power surfer” Soli Bailey reflected on the passion within the team after their strong run to the decider.
‘I had to watch from the sidelines last year,’ Bailey said. ‘We’ve got the best team, we’ve got so much talent coming through Byron and so much passion’.
‘I just told them this is the last time we’re going to surf together as a team for the rest of the year, let’s put it all on the line, run as hard as you can and surf as best you can.
‘Three of the six clubs competing in the 2026 Grand Final – North Shore, Byron Bay, and North End – also featured in the 2025 decider, highlighting the continued dominance and consistency of these powerhouse clubs on the national stage’.
Leihani Zoric
Byron Bay’s Leihani Zoric also reflected on the importance of teamwork within the unique boardriders team format.
‘This event is all about teamwork, so I did what was best for the team,’ Zoric said. ‘I back our team, everyone is capable of amazing scores.’
Final results
The final results were North Shelly (34.19); Byron Bay (34.15); North Shore (26.52); Kawana (24.56); Sandon Point (17.55) and North End (17.13).
For more information, visit www.australianboardridersbattle.com.
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