Queenscliff Boardriders have won the GYG Junior Surftag in classic 3-4-foot waves at South Curly, the 50-minute final coming down to the wire with the Mighty Gumbies holding off archrivals North Narrabeen to win by 3.74 points.
Competitors ripped into a fresh south swell, clean overhead sets cooking down a pristine right bank, serving up a grommet buffet feast. Queenscliff’s 15-year-old Hunter Sutcliffe was the star, posting a two-wave total of 18.83, earning the Creatures of Leisure Highest Score in the Final award. Hunter’s older brother Barclay was the next best Gumby, scoring 14.74 with Jordi Bray posting 11.47, Connor McCoy 7.27 and Luke Silver 2.43.
Queenscliff held the lead from the start but had some nervous moments in the back end of the final with North Narrabeen’s Jesse Daish 12.74, Jaggar Phillips 15.43, Archie McKerrell 10.69 and Macka Hazard 5.81 all scoring well to almost grab victory in the final minutes of the decider.
Looking ahead, a crystal ball surplus to requirements to see how strong the Queenscliff Boardriders’ future looks. This victorious “Under 18’s” crew comprises Barclay, 17, while Hunter, Jordy, Connor and Luke are only 15 years of age! The Gumbies will be hard to beat for years to come.
Overall, Queenscliff now sit on top of the rankings after two events with North Steyne second, and Long Reef and North Narrabeen tied for third.
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