Jay Phillips : photo Steve Robertson

Rip Curl Kirra Teams Challenge

Surfing Queensland
Kirra Beach, Qld
24 - 25 February 2006

NOOSA TAKE THE LEAD INTO FINAL DAY OF THE RIP CURL KIRRA TEAMS CHALLENGE

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 February, 2006 : - - Noosa Boardriders  have  one hand on the Rip Curl Kirra Teams Challenge trophy, with 5 wins and one second from their first six surfers, with Dean Brady and Daniel Vardy winning their heats today, Shannon Neil picking up a second, building on wins from Dean Iezzi, Lee Wilson, and Shaun Stevic on Friday to be alone in the lead after day two of competition.   

It was a day of high drama for Noosa Boardriders - Coming into the event they weren't regarded as a serious chance to take out this event but have surprised everyone by taking a commanding lead at the close of day 2!  Posting an amazing 5 straight wins with opening surfers, they looked likely to score a disastrous 4th placing with their sixth surfer in Shannon Neil who snapped his board mid heat when he went for a large high risk floater. Neil had to swim to shore, get a new board from a team mate and get back into the line up losing many minutes in the already short 18 minute heats - He called on fitness and club pride to find two more rides and finished an excellent second place behind Wind and Sea's (Caloundra) Davis Scared and keep Noosa in a commanding lead. 

Tomorrow's final two surfer for Noosa will be Luke Jory (Former Australian Open Amateur Champion) and the highly rated World Qualifying Tour surfer Ryan Campbell! It's strong on paper but all the pressure will be on Campbell who meets the great Luke Egan from Merewether Newcastle club - Merewether are Noosa's closest challengers on the leader board and that heat could well decide the champion team! 

Defending champions of the event, Snapper Rocks Surfriders, chasing their 4th title in a row, fought back with wins by Shane Bevan and Shaun Gossman, Jay Phillips picking up a second place.  

Solid 2 metre barrelling peaks at Duranbah Beach on the QLD/NSW Border tested the mettle of the surfers in the event, several surfboards snapped during the days’ competition.  

Other big performances came from the Curl Curl crew, the Castel brothers, Ian and Ross, plus Matt Bemrose, all winning their heats in fine style. Le-Ba (Lennox Ballina, NSW) surfers James Wood and Marcus Aboody had big wins, and former WCT surfers Matt Hoy and Sasha Stocker all dominated their heats. Merewether are poised to strike with Travis Lynch scoring a heat wins, and WCT veteran Luke Egan yet to surf. After day two clubs looking to threaten Noosa’s domination will be Curl Curl, Byron Bay, Merewether, North Narrabeen, and the ever threatening Snapper Rocks. 

Competition continues tomorrow, Sunday from 7.30 am with the continuation of the Open heats. Former WCT surfers competing Sunday include Luke Egan for Merewether, Kieren Perrow for Byron Bay, Chris Davidson and Nathan “Noodles” Webster for Narrabeen.

Each club fields a team of eight surfers, two of whom must be juniors, with each surfer representing his club contesting a four man heat. Each of the 300-plus surfers representing their respective clubs will surf just once before barracking for his team mates over an exhaustive schedule that will continue over the weekend, concluding around 2pm on Sunday. The presentation will be held at Kirra Sports Club at 530pm on Sunday afternoon.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Rip Curl hosting a battle of the beaches this weekend
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Steve Robertson

Contests - Surfersvillage