There's a couple of cliches that surfing journos always trot out when they're talking competitions, and who am I - being new to the trade and all - to break with this fine tradition? The first one is this: club surfing is the backbone of Australian surfing! This makes it sound awfully important and, when you put ten men in a tent, is exactly what it is: there's no time for games. Every Australian surfer that has succeeded in top-tier competition has come through the club system, rooting for their mates from under the club tent... The second cliché is: everybody loves the underdog! And with this in mind, let me tell me introduce you to Elouera Boardriders. The fellas from Elouera won the Surftag southern NSW final two weekends back, besting their more fancied rivals such as North Narrabeen and QBC. While they are all great surfers, the win, according to long-time Elouera surfer, Wylie Fowler, was unexpected: "Elouera has done well in club competitions in the past, so in a way it's in our blood, but that said...it really was a surprise." They now go into this weekends final full of confidence, knowing they've got what it takes to win. They're also well aware that last years national Surftag winners, Werri Beach, are a club not unlike their own: short on big name stars, but long on club-spirit. "It was great to see them win, and great for us that we're in a similar position." While they might not add any CT names to the heat draw the Elouera surfers have competed together for years and have a sound knowledge of what it takes to win. Says Wylie: "The team collectively needs to be smart, and make the most of every opportunity that is presented in the heat. Given the nature of the Surftag format, any club can present a threat and upset higher profile clubs." He also gave a few clues as to the level of sacrifice needed: "It's a really tricky format that almost demands you lose your own ego. Sometimes you have to take a wave you know can only score five to give your teammates the time they need. That sort of thinking is very different, and the club that wins, ultimately is the club that is able to realise this." Personal sacrifice in exchange for team glory? It's a sentiment that reminds me of the third great sporting cliché: it's better to have a champion team than a team of chamions. The Elouera team is: Wylie Fowler, Joe Sear, Blake Johnston, Jake Stalker and Glen Pringle. Luke Weinert surfed through the early rounds. //STUART NETTLE