Curl Curl Boardriders have used local knowledge and smart wave selection to win the Beach Burrito Northern Beaches Gromtag Qualifier at South Curl Curl Beach. With the event being postponed due to unsuitable conditions the week before at Dee Why Beach, the Curl Curl locals made the most of the event being held on their home turf winning the final by ten points.

Held in blustery onshore conditions with an increasing swell, the Curl Curl team of Sam Howell (9.30), Ben Walsh (13.03), Ed Aubrey (10.87), Carter Harris (10.73) and Josh Withers (6.70) finished with a total of 54.63. The Central Coast’s North Shelly Boardriders (43.83) finished runners-up ahead of North Avalon (39.50) in third and Long Reef (34.77) fourth.

Curl Curl celebrating (Photo Bernadette McAlinden)

Curl Curl’s Ben Walsh and Ed Aubrey made the most of the tricky conditions in the 50-minute final surfing with plenty of power and commitment. Team Captain Aubrey is now looking forward to the opportunity of surfing for an Australian Title, “It’s so awesome to have a big support crew on the beach cheering for the team”, Aubrey said. “We had our team manager Perko on the drums all day revving up the boys and we will have an even bigger support crew for the Aussies in a month’s time, hopefully we become the first Under 18 Champs of Australia”.

Ed Aubrey (Photo Bernadette McAlinden)

The Curl Curl team used their local knowledge when it counted most finding the best waves that offered scoring potential. North Shelly, North Avalon and Long Reef found themselves lost at sea for most of the decider with all three teams running out of time and only giving their fifth surfer a few minutes each to find two scoring rides.

Tas Grainger surfing for Long Reef (Photo Bernadette McAlinden)

North Avalon’s Jasper Giddy won a pair of Bose Headphones for posting the highest score in the final – 13.50 with the stylish natural footer executing some big closeout snaps.

Jasper Giddy (Photo Bernadette McAlinden)

With the top four teams advancing to the Australian Championships, North Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Queenscliff & Dee Why will be on the reserve list after being eliminated in the Semi Finals.

2018 Beach Burrito Northern Beaches Gromtag Results:

• 1st Curl Curl 54.63
• 2nd North Shelly 43.83
• 3rd North Avalon 39.50
• 4th Long Reef 34.77
• 5th North Narrabeen
• 6th Mona Vale
• 7th Queenscliff
• 8th Dee Why
• 9th North Steyne
• 10th Queenscliff “B”
• 11th Merewether
• 12th Frenchmans
• 13th Northside “B”
• 14th Northside “A”

2018 Gromtag Australian Series

1. Beach Burrito Northern Beaches Gromtag

   Sunday 21st October, Curl Curl Beach, Sydney

2. Perfect Wave Surf Experience QLD & Northern NSW Gromtag

    Saturday 27th October, Duranbah Beach, Tweed Heads

3. Triple Bull Cronulla Gromtag

    Saturday 10th November, North Cronulla Beach, Sydney

4. Gromtag Australian Championships & Trials

    Saturday 24th November, Curl Curl Beach, Sydney

For the 2018 Beach Burrito Gromtag heat draw, highlight video and photo’s please visit www.facebook.com/gromtagaustralianseries

The 2018 Gromtag Australian Series is proudly supported by Beach Burrito Company, Perfect Wave Surf Experience, Triple Bull Surf Cronulla, Joistik Surfboards, Bose, Wicks Surf and Swellnet.