The 2019 FISHBOWL Surftag Australian Series is set to kick-off this weekend in Wollongong with Twenty Men’s and Ten Women’s teams competing in the NSW Qualifier. Boardriding Clubs from Merewether all the way through to Ulladulla will be looking to secure a top twelve finish in the Men’s and top four finish in the Women’s Division to qualify to the FISHBOWL Surftag Australian Championships at Manly in May.

The Women’s Division continues to grow with Scarborough, Sandon Point and Werri Beach Boardriders all entering Women’s teams for the first time. Cronulla Girls Boardriders have taken the opportunity to enter two teams with stylish natural footer Nichola Turner thrilled to be competing for Cronulla on the weekend, “It’s so cool to have an all-girls team event and compete against the other girl’s teams”, Turner said. “The competition is going to be tough, the Merewether team all surf so good and the North Narrabeen team has a few new young faces in it, we can’t wait, happy days”.

Nichola Turner for Cronulla Girls Boardriders (Bernadette McAlinden)

The two day event is mobile between Woonona and Stanwell Park with competition commencing at 8.00am on Saturday morning with Men’s Round 1, followed by the Women’s Heats, Semi Finals and Final.

Elouera Boardriders will go into the Men’s Division as the team to beat after finishing runners-up to Snapper Rocks Surfriders at last year’s Surftag Australian Championships. The Elouera team will include World Tour Surfers Shane Campbell, Jared Hickel and Connor O’Leary who earlier in the week won the WSL QS3000 at Avoca Beach. Elouera will be up against the South Coast’s Werri Beach Boardriders and Sydney’s Curl Curl Boardriders in the first heat of the day on Saturday.

Shane Campbell for Elouera Boardriders (Bernadette McAlinden)

FISHBOWL Co-Founder Casper Ettelson, who has previously represented Bondi Boardriders in the Surftag Australian Series, is looking forward to seeing all the clubs battle for both the Men’s and Women’s Australian Titles, “We are really excited to be working with Global Surftag and to put on an amazing series”, Ettelson said. “Surfing is a passion of ours so it’s exciting to have the chance to support the best clubs across the country as they battle it out”.

Clubs competing on the weekend include Merewether, North Shelly, Avoca, North Avalon, North Narrabeen, Curl Curl, Queenscliff, Maroubra, Elouera, Cronulla, Cronulla Girls, Scarborough, Sandon Point, Woonona, Jones Beach, Culburra, Werri Beach and Ulladulla.

The 2019 FISHBOWL Surftag Australian Series is a proud supporter of Lifeline. Lifeline provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

2019 FISHBOWL Surftag Australian Series

• NSW Qualifier - 9 & 10 March – Wollongong (Woonona – Stanwell Park)
• QLD Qualifier - 14 April –  Duranbah Beach, Tweed Heads
• Australian Championships – 10 & 11 May – Queenscliff Beach, Sydney.
  (WA, SA & VIC Boardriding Clubs invited to compete)

The 2019 FISHBOWL Surftag Australian Series is proudly supported by Swellnet.​​​​​​​