World No.2 Taj Burrow stamped his class West Australian Qualifying round of the 2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series, recording the highest score to lead Yallingup Boardriders to a comprehensive victory at Rabbit Hills break.

Burrow dominated the final, recording a score of 22.9, to hand Yallingup back-to-back WA Surftag titles in solid 1m waves. His 6.8 powerwave ride (second out of three waves) in the final also handed Burrow the Oporto Powerwave award.

The Yallingup “A” team of Jay Davies (17.1 points), Burrow (22.9), Dan Waddel (16.7), Zak Ogram (13.4) and Marty Chandler (16.4) scored 90.5 in the four team final, defeating Margaret River (71 points), Trigg Point (58.5) and Yallingup “B” (55).

It was a sweet victory for Burrow, who treasured the time he can spend in West Australia away from the rigours of the ASP Tour.

“It was an awesome day,” Burrow said. “It’s always great to be back home but to be able to surf the Surftag with the (Yallingup) boys on our home break and beat Margies (Margaret River) was sweet.

“It’s good to come back and surf for Yallingup, back where it all started, and have some fun but when you get out in the water and we are up against Margies (Margaret River) it does become competitive.

“It was great to defend the title we won last year on our own turf. Now we are off to Narr (North Narrabeen) for the (National) Final.”

Yallingup started the final strongly, opening up a big lead after the first three surfers, continued the theme of the day where Yallingup was rarely threatened on its home break.

Perth-based Trigg Point also had a breakthrough performance, finishing 3rd to claim the highest ever finish by a Perth based club in the six year history of the West Australian Jim Beam Surftag Series.

The WA event kick-started the 2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series, which continues on Friday with the Queensland event at Duranbah and culminates with the final at the legendary North Narrabeen Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on March 6-7.

Yallingup and Margaret River will now progress to the National Final at North Narrabeen and they will be joined by Boardriding Clubs from Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales qualifying events.

Scores in Final
1st Yallingup “A” 90.5
2nd Margaret River “A” 71
3rd Trigg Point 58.1
4th Yallingup “B” 55

5th Margaret River B
6th Contacio
7th City Beach
8th Cottesloe

The 2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series carries prizes and prizemoney of $100,000 and has attracted a record field of 70 clubs from all over Australia, all vying to claim the 7th National Surftag title.

Remaining 2008 Jim Beam Surftag Events:
• Queensland qualifying - Friday 18th Jan – Duranbah
• Victorian qualifying - Saturday 2nd Feb - Rye Ocean Beach
• New South Wales qualifying - Sat/Sun 9/10 Feb – Cronulla
• Jim Beam Boardriders Cup National Final - Thursday 6th March - North Narrabeen
• Jim Beam Surftag National Final – Friday 7th March - North Narrabeen


HOW SURFTAG WORKS

Surftag is a team's event where each team (Boardriding Club) has five competitors. All competitors must be over the age of 18 and one surfer must be over 30.

Each heat goes for one hour with surfers required to catch three waves before coming to shore and tagging their next team mate.

All three waves are scored by judges with the second wave of each competitor deemed a "Power Wave" and worth double points.

Teams also receive bonus points for finishing within the one hour time limit with four points (4) for the first team to finish, three points for the 2nd team, two points for the 3rd team and one point for the final team to finish inside the limit.

The point scores from all five surfers plus any bonus points are tallied to find the winner.

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