Seaford Boardriders put South Australian surfing on the map by qualifying for the Jim Beam Surftag National Final after finishing second in the Victorian round of the Series at Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula.

The Seaford team of Jarrod Howse, Clayton Howse, Dion Atkinson, Todd Goudie and Francis Harzing spent 10 hours driving from the suburbs of Adelaide to the Mornington Peninsula and the trip was more than worthwhile when they finished second behind Philip Island.

Seaford and Philip Island now join surfing heavyweights Snapper Rocks, Kirra, Noosa, Lennox Ballina, Yallingup and Margaret River in the National Final at North Narrabeen on March 7.

It was the first time a team from South Australia has entered the Jim Beam Surftag Series and former WCT surfer and Seaford spearhead Jarrod Howse hopes it serves as an incentive for more South Australian Boardriding clubs to enter the competition.

“We entered the competition knowing we had the team to do well but to qualify for the National Final is awesome,” Howse said. “South Australia has a lot of good surfers but we’ve never really had any recognition on a National or International scale.

“Hopefully this will entice other boardriding clubs in South Australia to enter the Jim Beam Surftag Series to boost the profile of the sport.”

Seaford’s journey to the National Final was typical of surfing’s heritage with the team spending 10 hours driving along the picturesque Victorian Coast in a van to get to Mornington.

“It was a great road trip. It really has been a great trip, almost like a surfing safari. We had a lot of fun driving. It took 10 hours but it was well worth it. I guess it will take a lot longer to drive to Narrabeen (in Sydney) for the Final.”

While Seaford’s qualification for the National Final was the Cinderella Story, the team from Philip Island was a standout as they wiped away the competition in clean 1.5m waves.

Daniel Laing (14.4), Steve Noble (26.0), Simon McShane (21.5), Sandy Ryan (23.4) and Carl Wright (12.5) blew away the opposition to win the four-team final.

It was Philip Island’s first Jim Beam Surftag Victorian Title after finishing second behind Torquay for the last two seasons.

Last year Philip Island finished 9th in the National Final and they will be looking to progress further up the final standings in 2008

Torquay’s Sandy Ryan also had double cause for celebration when took out the Oporto Powerwave competition, along with Seaford’s Dion Atkinson.

RESULTS:
2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series
Victorian Qualifying Contest
Gunnamatta Beach (Mornington Peninsula)

Final: 1. Philip Island (100.8), 2. Seaford (93.0), 3. 13th Beach (82.3), 4. Torquay (78.4).

Qualified for National Final on March 7: Philip Island (Vic) and Seaford (SA).


The 2008 Jim Beam Surftag National Series is proudly supported by Jim Beam, Oneill, Oporto, Vmoto, Mizone, Tracks and Coastalwatch.

Further information:

Jim Beam Surftag Contest Director
Steve Harrison
0403 180 787
steve@globalsurftag.com

Jim Beam Surftag media contact
Dave Mason
0438 243 195