THE Yallingup Boardriders created their own slice of history at Scarborough Beach on September 27 when they claimed back-to-back victories at Western Australia's longest running and most prestigious tag team surfing event, The Surf Boardroom Surf League.
First run back in 1986, the 2015 instalment of the iconic event will be remembered as one of the tightest and most hotly contested battles between grass roots surfing clubs over the event’s 29 year history.
The Surf League format saw clubs nominate their six strongest surfers which included four open age surfers, one over 28 senior and one under 18 junior members, with each surfer’s top two wave scores adding together for a combined team total.
Preliminary heats saw powerhouse clubs Trigg Point and Margaret River claim important round one victory, allowing them to skip round two and moving directly through to the final.
Yallingup and Scarborough had to surf off against Contacio and City Beach in round two, before joining Trigg Point and Margaret River in the blue ribbon four team final.
An enthralling and highly entertaining 90 minute final ensued, as two clubs from the South-West took on two clubs from the Metropolitan beaches.
Defending event champions Yallingup, started strongly and maintained their consistency throughout the match-up to post a combined team total of 87.11 points, securing back-to-back wins.
On average Yallingup were the youngest of the clubs in the Surf League final, but they weren't overwhelmed by the occasion and went head-to-head with Margaret River in an all-star shootout.
Yallingup proved that youth can at times outweigh experience, edging out their South-West rivals by less than 5 points when the final siren sounded.
"It's been an unbelievable day, I'm so proud of our young fellas who all stepped up to the plate for us," Yallingup captain Sam Tucker said.
"We've never really done that well at this event in the past, but to claim back-to-back victories ahead of some quality opposition in really fun waves means we'll be savouring this victory for as long as possible."
Despite the best efforts of the event's standout surfer Jethro Hedstrom, who opened the final with a near perfect 9.00 point ride, Margaret River (83.11) had to settle for a second place finish ahead of Trigg Point (53.47) in third and Scarborough (47.25) in fourth.
"We thought after the start that Jethro had that we were a real chance of winning," Margaret River team captain Andrew Sheridan said.
"We last won the Surf League back in 2012 and you can guarantee the boys and I will be back here every year until we win another one."
All was not lost for the Margaret River boarders, with Jethro Hedstrom taking out the Perry Hatchett Medal for the best surfer in a final as well as the Creatures Powerhouse Surfer award for best power move.
Margaret River’s team captain Sheridan also pulled off the Rip Curl Falling Star best senior surfer award.
Yallingup also took out other prized titles on the day, being declared the most supportive club, with team member Paul Paterson taking out the Creatures Best Tube award and the highest individual score for his 10 point ride.
