Curl Curl, NSW - Saturday, September 19th, 2026
North Narrabeen has claimed victory at the NSW Central leg of the Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Regional Series, securing the regional qualifier title and a place at the March 2027 ABB Grand Final at Burleigh Heads.
Eighteen of Central NSW’s premier clubs went head-to-head in the one-day qualifier, showcasing the region’s deep talent pool.
The day was packed with stacked heats and high-level surfing at Curl Curl, with eight-time World Champion Layne Beachley (Freshwater), big wave world record holder Laura Enever (North Narrabeen), QS surfer Izzy Higg (North Steyne) and WSL coach, former World Championship Tour surfer and North Narrabeen Boardriders Team Manager Nathan Hedge among the standout names in the water.
Representing their clubs, Talia Tebb, Ben Zanatta and Locana Cullen, just home from winning the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship as part of Australia's Irukandjis, were also ones to watch.
NASA Boardrider Locana Cullen, 2025 Australian Surfing Awards Mick Fanning Rising Star Award winner and 2025 Oz Grom Open U16 division winner, won Gold at the ISA World Junior Championship. Avoca's Talia Tebb won Silver at the Worlds, following her second-place finish at the Narrabeen Junior Pro and U16 Australian Junior Championship title. Dee Why's Ben Zanatta also took Silver, having come into the ABB as Australian Junior Under-18 title holder.
The depth of talent made for tight matchups throughout the day, with North Narrabeen, North Steyne, Avoca and Long Reef emerging as the standout teams from the opening rounds and progressing through to the final.
The final came down to a tense battle between North Narrabeen and North Steyne, with just 1.1 points separating the teams as the clock wound down. North Narrabeen held their nerve to finish on 29.60, securing the NSW Central Regional Qualifier title in the final moments.
Adding to the action, Jagger Phillips claimed the Boost Mobile Wave of the Day with some epic cutbacks making the most of the offshore conditions earning a 8.83 point ride for the event’s highest-scoring wave.
With eight spots at the 2027 ABB Grand Final up for grabs from the NSW Central qualifier, North Narrabeen, North Steyne, Avoca, Long Reef, Bungan, Dee Why Fraternity, North Avalon and Freshwater all secured their places at Burleigh next March.
Australian Boardriders Battle Contest Director Matt Anlezark said the quality of competition and conditions highlighted the depth of surfing across the region:
“We had good-sized waves and a really stacked field here at Curl Curl, which made for a great showcase of what grassroots surfing and boardrider clubs are all about. The boardrider clubs are the heart and pinnacle of Australian surfing, and after 14 years of the ABB, it’s great to see the strength of the competition continuing to grow. This qualifier has one of the strongest concentrations of national champions across the ABB Regional Series, which really highlights the depth of talent in the region.”
World Tour coach, former World Championship Tour surfer and North Narrabeen Boardriders Team Manager Nathan Hedge reflected on the day and North Narrabeen performance:
North Narrabeen Boardriders Team Captain Nathan Hedge said the victory reflected the club’s strong culture and the values they bring to the ABB, while also highlighting the importance of giving different generations of surfers an opportunity to represent the club:
“It’s always an honour to surf for North Narrabeen. There have been generations of great surfers through the club, so it’s awesome to still be able to come out on top. All the clubs have gotten so much stronger, and we had a different team today, so it was great to give a few different people an opportunity. It’s also a really good warm-up heading into Burleigh for the national finals.”
As team captain, Hedge said the result was about more than simply finishing on top, with the team focused on the values that underpin North Narrabeen:
“I think it’s also about how we win. There are certain themes and non-negotiables that we always want to bring to the table for North Narrabeen: grit, determination, never giving up and, most importantly, a real team effort. Someone might get an 8.5 and someone else might get a four, but it’s about moving together as a team and leaving the ego out of it. Those are the key ingredients, and I’m just super proud.”
Jagger Phillips (North Narrabeen) delivered one of the day’s standout performances, earning a 8.83-point ride to take out the Boost Mobile Wave of the Day, showcasing his stylish approach in the clean offshore consistent peaks at Curl Curl.
North Narrabeen junior Jagger Phillips delivered one of the standout waves of the day, earning an 8.83-point ride to claim the Boost Mobile Wave of the Day. Phillips said the result was made even more special by representing a club with such a strong history:
“It feels amazing. Even just being part of such an amazing club, I’m super grateful for it. I found that random left, got two good turns and somehow came away with an 8.83, so I was super stoked.
Coming into the event, I didn’t really have a set strategy. I was asking everyone who went out before me what they thought and taking a bit of advice from them. That always helps, especially surfing a new spot.”
Leading Australian Junior Jagger Phillips Wins Boost Mobile Wave Of The Day for North Narrabeen Boardriders Club. Credit: Andrew Christie / Surfing Australia
With clubs including Freshwater and Long Reef continuing to strengthen their presence in the ABB, Hedge says the local rivalry is a key part of what makes the region so competitive:
“Each beach has such a strong rivalry. There’s a real strong presence from each beach and each club. Clubs like Freshwater have really risen over the last handful of years and found themselves in finals and ABBs, while Long Reef are another really strong boardrider club. There’s a lot of strong inter-club rivalries and performance levels. We’ve got the long history at North Narrabeen, but there are other clubs nipping at our heels, so it’s a really great dynamic.”
Hedge also reflected on what it means to continue representing his home club, decades after first pulling on the North Narrabeen rashie:
“It’s an honour. It’s a legacy piece that I was provided with. I got to surf in the tag teams as a 12 and 13-year-old for North Narrabeen. I remember being thrown out with three or four minutes to go to get a little wave on the shore to get a score and get back in, and that stayed with me. I think it’s a way of giving back to the club and staying involved, and hopefully providing some inspiration for the people who are still there.”
Hedge also highlighted the importance of the Australian Boardriders Battle as a platform for surfers to develop under the pressure of team competition and build towards the world stage:
“It’s a platform to perform, and then those performances can go out onto the world stage. It’s grassroots. It starts from here and then it builds. Surfing is individual, but the pressure you get from a teams event really accelerates your performance level and your ability to handle pressure and big moments on tour.”
Nathan Hedge in action for North Narrabeen Boardrider Club. Credit: Andrew Christie / Surfing Australia
Representing Freshwater Boardriders Club, eight-time World Champion Layne Beachley brought her wealth of experience to the local qualifier.
Beachley said the event brings together everything she loves about club surfing, from fierce rivalry to community and connection:
“The competitive fire fades but never extinguishes. What I love about the ABB is we are all competing for something bigger than ourselves. There is enormous pride representing my club and this event surfaces the perfect blend of rivalry, connection and community.”
Layne Beachley for Freshwater. Credit: Andrew Christie / Surfing Australia
The top eight clubs from today’s ABB Regional Qualifier have now earned their place at the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final presented by NRMA Insurance, set to take place at Burleigh Heads in March 2027.
NSW Central Qualifying Boardrider Clubs:
- North Narrabeen: Nathan Hedge, Dylan Moffat, Davey Cathels, Jaggar Phillips, Laura Enever
- North Steyne: Saxon Reber (NSB), Axel Rose-Curotta, Izzy Higgs, Jordi Bray, Thomas Cravarezza
- Avoca: Mick Bain, Lennox Chell, Adrian Buchan, Talia Tebb, Noah Hartney
- Long Reef: Kobi Clements, Baxter Hurt, Eli Clarke, Gabi Spake, Nick James
- Bungan: Darcy Crump, Thibault Upton, Lucy Brown, Max White
- Dee Why Fraternity: Ben Zanatta, Isaac Buckley, Gor Oz, Luke McManus, Alanna Patison
- North Avalon: Chris Salisbury, Locana Cullen, Letty Mortensen, Arch Whiteman, Tia Collins
- Freshwater: Fletcher Kelleher, Kalan Orchard, Layne Beachley, Jarrad Howse, Jacques Callebaut
Specialty Awards:
- Boost Mobile Wave of the Day: Jagger Phillips (North Narrabeen)
For full results, head to LiveHeats
NSW Central Competing Boardrider Clubs:
- Dee Why Surf Fraternity: Ben Zanatta, Isaac Buckley, Gor Oz, Luke McManus, Alanna Patison
- Bungan; Darcy Crump, Thibault Upton, Lucy Brown, Max White
- Mona Vale Boardriders; Harry Campbell, Lachlan Mckay, Neil Berrell, Byron Berrell, Chloe Bosnjak
- Avoca; Mick Bain, Lennox Chell, Adrian Buchan, Talia Tebb, Noah Hartney
- Freshwater; Fletcher Kelleher, Kalan Orchard, Layne Beachley, Jarrad Howse, Jacques Callebaut
- North Steyne; Saxon Reber (NSB), Axel Rose-Curotta, Izzy Higgs, Jordi Bray, Thomas Cravarezza
- Curl Curl: Ed Aubrey, Harley Ross, Nevo Dubois, Gus Horner, Lola Aspiotis
- North Shelly: Saxon Lumsden, Jonnie Keith, Russ Malony, Frankie Timmermans, Alanni Morris
- Wamberal Express Boardriders Club; Oliver Pearson, Peter Hayes, Luke Phelan, Liam Boland, Claire McBride
- North Narrabeen: Nathan Hedge, Dylan Moffat, Davey Cathels, Jaggar Phillips, Laura Enever
- North Avalon: Chris Salisbury, Locana Cullen, Letty Mortensen, Arch Whiteman, Tia Collins
- Long Reef Surfers Association: Kobi Clements, Baxter Hurt, Eli Clarke, Gabi Spake, Nick James
- Merewether: Jacko Baker, Mikey Clayton Brown, Amelie Bourke, Paul Snow, Zavier Buxton
- North Avoca Boardriders: Will Cansick, Mitch Baily, Sophia Bernard, Luke Jones, Ethan Turner
- Newport Plus: Tom Hook, Haz Musgrove, Danny Asmus, Rene Galloway, Bella Stevens
- Queenscliff: Samson Coulter, Hunter Sutcliffe, Nick Butler, Georgie May Hicks, Austin Ware
- East End Boardriders: Joshua Stretton, Kade Kelly, Natalie Fensom, Mike Galvin, Jye Kelly
- Norah Head Surfing Fraternity: Ryan Slattery, Max Blanchfield, Mia MacMahon, Jett Secomb, Harry Blanchfield
The Dee Why community - eyes glued on the action. Credit: Andrew Christie / Surfing Australia
2026 ABB Regional Qualifier Schedule
- WA – Trigg – September 12/13, 2026
- NSW Central – North Narrabeen (Curl Curl due to construction works at NN SLSC) – September 19, 2026
- VIC – Phillip Island – October 4, 2026
- QLD – Sunshine Coast – October 10, 2026
- SA – Fleurieu Peninsula – October 17, 2026
- TAS – Scamander – October 24, 2026
- NSW South – Cronulla – October 31, 2026
- NSW North – Tweed Coast – November 7, 2026
Full schedule, dates and further info: www.australianboardridersbattle.com
About the Australian Boardriders Battle
The Australian Boardriders Battle is Australia’s 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.
The 2026 Australian Boardriders Battle Regional Series is proudly supported by
NRMA Insurance, Ford , Babybel, Celsius, Safestyle, Fujifilm Photos, Southern Cross University, Ampd Bros, St Ali, Boost, Blackroll, Surfers for Climate
This Surfing Australia event series is delivered in partnership with the state branches, Surfing WA, Surfing NSW, Surfing VIC, Surfing QLD, Surfing SA and Surfing TAS.
About Australian Boardrider clubs
There are more than 250 boardrider clubs across the country, where members gather regularly, often monthly, to organise grassroots competitions at world-class waves such as Burleigh Heads. The boardrider club phenomenon in Australia has made a significant contribution to the nation's competitive success on the global stage, fostering close-knit communities that support young surfers on their journeys to becoming the next world champions.
For more information, visit www.australianboardridersbattle.com
