Two-time Jim Beam Surftag National Champions Snapper Rocks is looming as the team to beat in 2008 as they enter two teams in the Queensland Qualifying event of the Jim Beam Surftag Series, to be held at Duranbah on Friday (January 18).

Snapper Rocks can call on the likes of World No.4 Joel Parkinson, World No.9 Dean Morrison and World No.34 Josh Kerr, as well as Young Guns Luke and Brent Dorrington, and with so much talent at its disposal is waiting until Friday morning to name its teams.

“Snapper (Rocks) has some pretty hot surfers to choose from and there’s no doubt they have the depth to put together two very competitive teams,” said Jim Beam Surftag Contest Director Steve Harrison.

“They (Snapper Rocks) have always been ultra competitive and this year is no different but there is also some very strong competition from North End (Surfers Paradise/Southport) and LeBa (Lennox Heads-Ballina).

“The Queensland event is always one of the most keenly contested of the qualifying events and it will be on for young and old on Friday.”

Snapper Rocks took out the National Title in 2002 and 2006 and Snapper Rocks Team Manager Shane Bevan believes his club is “stronger than ever” going into the Queensland Qualifying contest.

“We have lots of guys surfing well on the WQS tour as well as guys like Jay Phillips and Shaun Grossmann, who have always surfed well in these teams events,” Bevan said. “We’re probably stronger than we’ve ever been.

“It (Queensland Qualifying) is going to bigger and better than it has before. Everyone here (Snapper Rocks Surf Riders) is pumped for Friday.”

While Snapper Rocks may go in as favourites, all of Queensland’s leading clubs will have their eye on the Queensland Title on Friday but just as important is a top four finish to progress to the 2008 Jim Beam Surftag National Final, to be held at North Narrabeen Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on March 6-7.

The Qld event follows the opening 2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series qualifying round in West Australia, which was won by Yallingup with Margaret River joining them in the National Final.

The 2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series will carry 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