Former World Champion Mark Occhilupo and unheralded local Clint Kimmins led Snapper Rocks to victory in the Queensland Qualifying round of the 2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series in excellent 1.5m waves at Duranbah on the Gold Coast.

“Occy” made his Surftag debut for Snapper Rocks after retiring from the ASP Tour last year and posted a score of 18.4 in the final but it was Kimmins who ripped the waves apart, scoring 25 points to help Snapper Rocks to an easy win.

Snapper Rocks (100.5 points) defeated Kirra (84.7), Noosa (63.4) and Lennox Ballina (60.2) to win the Queensland title and lead all four teams into the National Final, to be held at North Narrabeen on March 7.

The Snapper Rocks team of Shane Bevan (14.6), Occhilupo (18.4), Shaun Grossmann (21.4), Jay Phillips (18.1) and Kimmins (25) blew away its opposition and could get even stronger in the National Final with World No.4 Joel Parkinson due to come into the team.

“That was a lot of fun,” Occhilupo said. “To surf as a team with the boys from Snapper Rocks and win like that was awesome. It’s different to surfing the tour but it was a lot of fun. We all surfed well all day and now we can hopefully go to Sydney and win the Final.”

It was the second straight week the Jim Beam Surftag Series has been dominated by one of the world’s best surfers after World No.2 Taj Burrow led Yallingup to victory in the West Australian Qualifying round last weekend.

Snapper Rocks will be joined in the National Final by Kirra, Noosa and Lennox Ballina with Yallingup and Margaret River progressing to the final last weekend in WA.

RESULTS:
2008 Jim Beam Surftag Series
Queensland Qualifying Contest
Duranbah Beach

Final: Snapper Rocks (100.5), Kirra (84.7), Noosa (63.4), Lennox Ballina (60.2).

1st Semi final: 1. Kirra (79.7), 2. Lennox Ballina (75), 3. Byron Bay (71.7), 4. North End (68.8).
2nd Semi final: 1. Snapper Rocks (91.3), 2. Noosa (60.3), 3. Cabarita (58.7), 4. Burleigh Heads (52.5).

Qualified for National Final on March 7: Snapper Rocks, Kirra, Noosa, Lennox Ballina.


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