Rhys Bombaci blew up in the final to give Werri Boardriders the Jim Beam Surftag 2009 title.
Werri Beach (Sth Coast NSW) win the Jim Beam Surftag for 2009 Australia's richest Boardriding Club event
Werri Beach Boardriders Club are Australia’s champion Boardriding Club after winning today’s Jim Beam Surftag final at North Narrabeen Beach.
Werri Beach sits near Gerrigong on the surf rich South Coast of NSW and this was their first ever Jim Beam Surftag national victory.
In an exciting, close and action packed final, driven by club passion which assured multiple tactics and in water controversies, Werri defeated the 2008 champions North Narrabeen with the score line over all five competing surfers at Werri Beach on 98.35 to North Narrabeen on 95.26 with Dee Why in third place on 88 points and event favourites Snapper Rocks fourth in the final on 76 points.
Werri began their final in the worst possible way with their opening surfer Matt Jones suffering an interference call on his opening ride which resulted in an immediate 7 point deduction.
Seemingly out of contention and with no pressure on the team, Werri’s second surfer Rhys Bombaci threw caution to the wind and scored two outstanding 9 point plus rides. Bombaci’s amazing performance moved Werri from last place to first.
Former ASP World Tour surfer Todd Prestage followed on Bombaci’s scores with a series of excellent scores to give the club a solid and unexpected lead coming to the final surfers and both Tully Robinson and Ryan Bailey maintaining the clubs position to take the title.
Bombaci was the teams hero scoring the events highest total in his final rampage. “I thought we were gone after the interference so simply went out there and surfed for fun. After those two 9 point rides all of a sudden I realized we were back in the hunt and all the boys followed on and we took the win – It’s an amazing feeling and so good for all the south coast clubs in NSW!” said an elated Bombaci after the win.
Event favourites Snapper Rocks had a very mixed run in the final. With leading world tour surfers Joel Parkinson and Josh Kerr heading up the team they looked formidable.
Parkinson suffered during his time in the water with both wave starved conditions and what appeared to be a very aggressive paddling tussle with North Narrabeen’s Chris Davidson.
Josh Kerr looked set to bring the club right back into contention when he opened with a perfect 10 point ride but then his follow up waves were terrible and the clubs chances of winning were gone.
North Narrabeens team made a few crucial late errors but considering Werri’s opening interference call, the winners were unanimously applauded as deserved champions of Australia!
With $12000 winners cheque and the trophy, Werri team manager Dave Hunt accepted the win on behalf of all South Coast NSW Boardriding clubs!