2014 is set to be the biggest year for women’s team surfing seen in this country – arguably the world – when the annual Jim Beam Surftag kicks off at North Narrabeen this Sunday. With registered teams locked and loaded, it’s the biggest field Jim Beam Surftag has seen for the competition, with Layne Beachley among the names confirmed to compete for Queenscliff Boardriders along with Gold Coast based DBAH Boardriders ready to make their Jim Beam Surftag debut.

“Narrabeen have been our arch nemesis,” says Beachley, adding, “We’ve constructed a fairly strong team and with another year under our belt we’ll be coming in with a lot more confidence.”

“There’s definitely going to be a new dimension on Sunday with the competition being held at North Narrabeen… but at least we’ll know we have quality waves,” says the eight-time World Champion. “Yes, they’ll have a home ground advantage but they’ll also have home ground expectations and pressure. We’re coming in as underdogs and we’ll thrive on that.”

Defending Champions North Narrabeen will be a strong force after showing their ability to compete away from home at Freshwater Beach last year in treacherous conditions. This year however, with the event to be held at their own training ground, Tessa De Josselin says her girls are confident they can add another championship to their four strong tally.

“I’m so excited. I found out this morning the comp is being held at Narrabeen so that makes it five times more fun for us,” says De Josselin.

“I’m not home all that much anymore, living in the city and surfing the city beaches, so to get back home and to be able to surf with the girls I’ve grown up with and vying for the title is awesome.”

“Last year’s event was huge. I remember getting massive sets on the head but aside from coming through with the title in those conditions, it’s always so fun being with the girls, hanging out for the day and it’s funny, because we all realise that not much has changed since 10 years ago when we all started surfing for North Narrabeen together.”

Seven teams are set to surf on Sunday with Queenscliff fielding two teams, North Narrabeen, Northern Beaches Women Boardriders, Cronulla, North Shelly and for the first time, DBAH joining the series. The first Gold Coast club ever to compete in the Women’s Jim Beam Surftag is raring to go according to local, Britt Nicholl.

“Being our first year in the event we’ve got no pressure on us, the pressure is all on Northy,” she said. “It’ll be great competing with so many other girl teams and it’s epic for women’s surfing. It’s a different way of showcasing how far women’s surfing has come nationwide.”

“This event is so unique, there’s nothing like it in the world. To have that many girls in one place, surfing against each other and pushing each other in our sport I think is a great thing.”

Beachley added the inclusion of the new team is a huge success story for grassroots surfing.

“It just goes to show the great things our boardriding clubs are doing to encourage and support the development of their girls and seeing the value in it. If you look at myself, Steph Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever, Tyler Wright – we’ve all been groomed through boardriding clubs because it’s a really inclusive and enjoyable environment to compete in.”

Perfect Wave Travel, BOSCH and TEE INK proudly support the Jim Beam Surftag.

Visit www.globalsurftag.com and www.facebook.com/surftag for all the latest results, photos and videos.

Attached Image – Layne Beachley. Credit – Wes Lonergan