Glen Hall in superb form in the final of the Jim Beam Cup at North Narrabeen
Glen Hall wins Jim Beam Cup as Australia's top 16 Boardriding Clubs prepare for tomorrow's showdown in the Jim Beam Surftag Final
Glen Hall (Umina/Central Coast NSW) won today's Jim Beam Cup defeating forty national boardriding club champions. Hall won $2000, a Vmoto scooter and the honour of being crowned Australia's Boardriding club champion!
"Australian Boardriding clubs have never been stronger and I'm proud to win this today not just for myself but also as Umina Boardriders club representative – it's a fantastic club and today's win is all about the club which is really what this whole weekend is about”said Hall after his easy win.
Hall defeated veteran ASP World Tour surfer and former world number 3 (1989 and 1992) Dave Macaulay (Margaret River /WA) in a one sided final with Hall opening with an outstanding 9.33 and shortly after backing that score up with an excellent 8.33 in the exceptional clean 1m surf.
Hall's exceptional opening rides left Macauley in a combination score requirement throughout the final.
"I never expected to do so well in this event so I'm pleased, I'm here to really surf for the club in tomorrow's team final but today was fantastic fun " said 45 year old Macaulay.
"It really was a blast from the past for me out there, I used to surf the Coke Classic events here 20 years ago so it definitely brought back memories for me out there today” added Macaulay.
While today's event was all about the individual club champions from all over Australia, the big guns of the sport will come out tomorrow as Australia's top sixteen boardriding clubs compete for the Jim Beam Surftag title for 2009.
Leading ASP surfers Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr, Tom Whitaker, Taj Burrow and Tom Whitaker are confirmed to surf in tomorrow's event, surfing for the love of the club and tomorrow's winning club will lay claim to being Australia's number one club.
With $12 000 up for grabs for the wining team the pressure will be on for all surfers to perform as just one weak link in a club team event can bring down the entire team.
Defending champions North Narrabeen have the local advantage but past winners Snapper Rocks (Qld) have the names this year and will bring out current world number 1 rated surfer in Joel Parkinson along with an amazingly strong top five that includes Josh Kerr and Shaun Gossman.
Lennox/Ballina; known as Le/Ba Boardriders also boast an incredibly talented team as will every club who have made it to this final by defeating the best clubs from their regions throughout Australia.