Walsh rides high

Yallingup’s Kael Walsh was awarded the Oakley Prizm performer award on Sunday after some “electrifying” surf in the Australian Boardriders Battle.

However, it was not enough to drag Yallingup Boardriders Club over the line.

They placed second to Trigg Point Boardriders Club, who claimed the win at their home.

The third event of the Australian Boardriders Battle was held in wet and windy conditions at Trigg Beach.

Large swells and strong onshore winds battered the metropolitan coastline, with locals getting the job done in the challenging 3-4ft surf.

Trigg Point scraped ahead of Yallingup and Margaret River in an enthralling 60-minute final with less than two points separating first, second and third.

Walsh said it was tough work in the stormy weather to maintain position and wait for the right wave. “I'm stoked with how well the team surfed today and to be acknowledged among all these great surfers is awesome,” he said.

Results came down to each club’s final surfer. Trigg Point’s combination of Luke Campbell, Pascal Hutchinson, Bailee Hastie, Mick Jardine and Jack Mickle rose to the occasion, claiming their maiden Australian Boardriders Battle win.

“This is our first time taking this event out and to do it here at the local beach is pretty cool,” Campbell said. “We’d love to get over to the National Final and ruffle some feathers.”

Luke Campbell anchored the Trigg Point team, who had to come from behind after a red-hot start from Yallingup’s Jack Thomas and Kael Walsh. They both dropped excellent opening scores to qualify for the national final in 2021.

Defending champions Margaret River Boardriders Club finished in third.

Defending champions and event favourites, Margaret River Boardriders Club were unable to find the waves they needed when it matted most finishing in third.