Three months ago North Avalon’s Shane Carroll wasn’t sure when his next surf was going to be after tearing the ligaments in his knee whilst playing touch football with his mates. But after a very frustrating and quiet summer so far, Carroll this week paddled out and surfed a wave for the first time and is confident he can captain the North Avalon Surfing Association (NASA) to a win at this Saturday’s Sailor Jerry Surftag Northern Beaches Qualifier being held at Dee Why Beach.

“I wasn’t sure last week if I would be able to compete as I haven’t surfed for so long”, Carroll said. “I had a paddle a few days ago and the knee felt pretty good so hopefully it holds up for a few heats. I’m so happy to be back in the water and can’t wait to compete, always a great event”.

The thirty-three year old self employed landscaper has been representing NASA for twenty years and knows the squad they have at the moment is capable of winning the big events.

“We have great depth in our club at the moment and all the boys are really looking forward to backing up our first ever win at last years Surftag Qualifier at Newcastle, and then hopefully go one better than our runner-up finish at the Nationals”.

If Carroll’s knee fails him on Saturday North Avalon will have the luxury of having Billy Bain, Dane Beevor and Max Western sitting on the side lines waiting for the call up.

Seven times Men’s Sailor Jerry Surftag Australian Champions North Narrabeen Boardriders will be strong competition for NASA. North Narrabeen team management have a tough job of who to select in their five man team with Cooper Chapman, Davey Cathels, Nathan Hedge, Kai Warner, Nathan Webster, Dave Vlug and Jordy Lawler all performing for the club over the past few years.

North Narrabeen last won the Australian Championships in 2016 and they might also call upon the services of Australian Representative Dylan Moffat who last year finished fourth at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Japan.     

The Sailor Jerry Surftag Northern Beaches Qualifier will see both Men's and Women's divisions contested with the top four Men's teams and two Women's teams qualifying to the Sailor Jerry Surftag Australian Championships being held at Tweed Heads in April.

North Avalon, Newport, Bungan, North Narrabeen, Long Reef, Dee Why and Queenscliff will contest the men’s division. North Narrabeen and Queenscliff have enjoyed a healthy rivalry over the year’s, which is set to continue in the Women's Division with Layne Beachley taking to the waves for Queenscliff and Laura Enever lining up for North Narrabeen. 

Competition starts at 9am on Saturday at Dee Why Beach with the Women's Final scheduled for 1.00pm and the Men's 2.00pm.

2018 Sailor Jerry Surftag Australian Series

• 13 January – Newcastle (Area - Umina to Port Macquarie)
• 20 January – Northern Beaches (Area – Northern Beaches, Sydney)
• 17 March – VIC & SA (Area – Victoria & South Australia)
• 24 & 25 March – Cronulla (Area – Bondi to Ulladulla)
• 14 & 15 April – QLD & Northern NSW (Area – Coffs Harbour to Noosa)
• 27 & 28 April – Australian Championships – Duranbah Beach, Tweed Head (Includes Trials for TAS & WA Clubs)

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