North Shelly Boardriders Crowned Champions at 2026 Australian Boardriders Battle: Four Local Clubs into Quarter Finals this year - Loci Cullen wins Junior Performer of event Award
Sunday March 8 2026
North Shelly Boardriders Club have officially claimed the title of Australia’s best boardrider club, securing national glory and ultimate bragging rights at the NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final.
Four local clubs made it through to Day 2 and the Quarterfinals, with Bungan BRC and North Steyne vying for a Semi-finals spot, while North Narrabeen and North Avalon (NASA) were surfing against each other in Heat 4.
Locana Cullen (North Avalon) was the Winner of the Murf Rabbit Bartholomew Award, where winners receive a Murf bike.
A full team of NASA family members headed north again this year with North Avalon Surfriders Association saying on Sunday:
''That one had it all. Hats off and a huge congratulations to Surfing Australia and NRMA Insurance for putting on the best show yet, what an incredible scene to be a part of!''
''Our team brought it, huge performances and moments of absolute magic! Another quarter final finish, but the passion in the water, the noise from the crew on foot and the support back home were undeniable. Big energy’s building and we’re so hungry for that win!
Huuuge Congrats to Loci Cullen - Winning the Rabbit Bartholomew Junior Performer of the event award, what an honour!
Well done North Shelly Boardriders on the win, clutch performances at its best!''
Each club Team consisted of 2 Open males & 1 Open female, 1 Junior (male or female), and 1 Over 35 Master (male or female). One of the 5 Team members will be chosen as the Power Surfer. The Power Surfer is allowed to return to the water and surf 1 extra wave only after all 5 surfers have completed their “set” of allotted waves. If caught within the allotted match time, the Power Surfer's wave will count towards the team total regardless of whether the Power Surfer has returned to the changeover area.
The North Avalon Surfriders Association Team for this year's Grand Final were: Fraser Dovell (also power surfer for end of heat waves), Locana Cullen, Arch Whiteman, Cedar Leigh Jones and Shane Carrol.
Fraser Dovell. Photo Credit: Beatriz Ryder/Surfing Australia
Loci Cullen. Photo Credit: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris
Surfing in the North Narrabeen Team were: Nathan Hedge, Dylan Moffat (was also Power surfer) Davey Cathels, Jaggar Phillips and Ruby Trew.
Bungan BRC's crew were: Darcy Crump, Milla Brown, Luca Elder (Power surfer), Thibault Upton and Max White.
North Steyne BRC were represented by: Sol Gruendling, Axel Curotta (Power surfer), Izzy Higgs, Dayyan Neve and Eden Alker.
Darcy Crump. Photo Credit: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris
Milla Brown. Photo Credit: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris
North Narrabeen's Nathan Hedge and Dylan Moffat. Photo Credit: Beatriz Ryder/Surfing Australia
Other local boardrider clubs who made the Grand Final were:
Newport Plus, who were in their first ever ABB Grand Final, were: Joe Keogh (Power surfer), Dylan Fawle, Danny Asmus, Clyde Benschop and Lilly Miller.
The Queenscliff BRC Team were: Samson Coulter (Power surfer), Hunter Sutcliffe, Jordi Bray, Georgie May Hicks and Austin Ware.
Freshwater BRC's Team were: Kalan Orchard (Power surfer), Tom Myers, Layne Beachley, Flynn O’Connor and Sam Brown.
Newport Plus Surfer Danny Asmus. Photo Credit: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris
The nation’s top 42 boardrider clubs delivered an incredible opening day of competition at the 2026 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final, with Burleigh Heads providing pumping and consistent surf all day long for an electrifying start to the weekend on Saturday March 7.
With extended heat times, the iconic Burleigh rock jump entry and the demanding 500-metre sprint up Burleigh Hill all in play, clubs were pushed to their physical and strategic limits from the outset. From emerging juniors to seasoned professionals, Olympians and World Champions, the depth of Australian club surfing was on full display.
1999 World Champion Mark Occhilupo made his highly anticipated return to competition for powerhouse club Snapper Rocks Surfriders. But despite the extra firepower of having another Australian surfing legend on their team, Snapper Rocks had a string of bad luck when Occhilupo's surfboard snapped on his first wave, leaving the rest of the team scrambling to make it across the finish line in time. Ultimately, the two-time national champions finished last in their heat and were eliminated from the competition.
Occhilupo was ecstatic by the pumping waves on offer at Burleigh, but his gear had other plans:
"The waves are pumping! I think this is the best the sandbank has been in years — it’s going to be a great event! I broke my board on the very first wave going for a barrel, and I was like, ‘What do I do? Should I come in and swap boards?’ But you don’t really have time in this format. I surfed through it and nearly made it, but the damaged board just let me down in the end." Mark said
1999 World Champion Mark Occhilupo makes historic return to competitive surfing at the 2026 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle. Photo Credit: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris
In another major upset, seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley paddled out for her club, Freshwater Boardriders Inc. at the 2026 NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final. Despite the experience and star power Beachley brought to the lineup, Freshwater were unable to advance and were ultimately eliminated from the competition. While the loss stung, Beachley said she was still grateful to be part of the event, reflecting on how special the this event is for grassroots surfing and the vital role boardrider clubs play in developing the sport across the country.
“Firstly, how good is boardriders club surfing? Every champion has come through a boardriders club — myself included. I love that this event keeps that spirit alive. It motivates clubs to grow, to embrace women, and to encourage participation. I love the club spirit and camaraderie, and how it even brings people out of retirement, like Occy. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also one of the most challenging events to compete in.” Layne said
Layne Beachley. Photo Credit: Beatriz Ryder/Surfing Australia
Finals Day
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.
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 NRMA Insurance Power Surfer, highlighted by a dramatic exchange between North Shelly’s Hughie Vaughan and Byron Bay Boardriders Club’s 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 NRMA Insurance 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 unpredictability 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 ham because this final’s lineup is absolutely crazy.”
Despite falling just short of the title, Byron Bay Boardriders Club delivered a standout campaign throughout the event, 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.
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.
North Shore’s Sophie McCulloch, competing in the women’s division, spoke about the pride of representing the club.
“It would have meant so much to win three ABB Grand Finals and be the only club to do so,” McCulloch said. “I would have loved to have put up a better score, but there’s no ‘I’ in team. We’ve got two women in our team, with Stella as a junior as well, so I’m just stoked to be part of this club.”
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.”
The NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final once again delivered one of the most exciting spectacles on the Australian surfing calendar, showcasing the country’s strongest boardrider clubs and the deep community spirit that underpins grassroots competitive surfing.
2026 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final RESULTS:
- 1ST - North Shelly - 34.19
- 2ND - Byron Bay - 34.15
- 3RD - North Shore - 26.52
- 4TH - Kawana - 24.56
- 5TH - Sandon Point - 17.55
- 6TH - North End - 17.13
Specialty Award Winners:
- Jim Beam Club Spirit Award: Avoca Boardriders Club
- Celcius Overall Performer: Alistair Reginato (North Shore)
- Boost Wave of the Day: Saturday - Lennix Smith (Shellharbour) 8.93
- Sunday - Nyxie Ryan (Lennox-Ballina) 9.08
- Dometic Adventure with O Invitees:
- Murf Layne Beachley Award: Holly Williams (Kawana)
- Murf Rabbit Bartholomew: Locana Cullen (North Avalon)
A FORMAT LIKE NO OTHER:
The NRMA Insurance Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final is renowned for its exciting and unique format, where 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.
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 is set for an electrifying showdown at one of Australia’s most iconic right-hand point breaks.
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.
Cedar Leigh Jones, NASA. Photo Credits: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris
Izzy Higgs, North Steyne. Photo Credits: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris
Axel Curotta, North Steyne. Photo Credits: Surfing Australia / Andy Morris