Chris Davidson and the local lads

www.waxheads.com news update 22 109

NSW Jim Beam Surftag ready to roll out this weekend

(Manly, NSW – Thursday, 22 January 2008): The NSW Jim Beam Surftag was officially launched today, as anticipation begins to rise for one of the most star-studded surfing events on the NSW coast.

With up to 40 teams jam packed with professional surfing stars from all corners of the state, the action is sure to be electric as local pride is put to the test at North Narrabeen from 24 -26 January 2009.

This year up to ten ASP World Tour surfers will be competing for their local boardriding club, where the top eight teams will gain qualification to the Jim Beam Surftag National Final.

The likes of Phil McDonald (Ulladulla), Dayyan Neve and Kai Otton (North Steyne), Tom Whittaker (Bronte), Chris Davidson (North Narrabeen), Luke Steadman (Avalon), Drew Courtney (Umina), Adrian Buchan (Avoca) and Ben Dunn (Saltwater - Taree) will take to the water, as beach rivalries are put to the test.

In attendance today was Neve, Davidson and Courtney all of whom are looking forward to this weekend’s event.

Lining up in the first heat of the main event will be Chris Davidson, who will be looking to anchor the reigning Australian champion’s North Narrabeen.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend,” he said.

“Coming from North Narrabeen we all share great pride and passion from where we’re are from and I think that show’s in our surfing and love for the club.”

Having requalified for the ASP World Tour after a seven-year hiatus, Davidson is looking hungry to start the year off with a bang.

“Last year was such a great year for me,” Davidson continued.

“I had such great confidence in my surfing, boards and my body.”

“To get a good result for North Narrabeen would be an epic way to start the year and hopefully give me some confidence going into the first event in Snapper (Quiksilver Pro).

Dayyan Neve, who last year finished 19th on the ASP World Tour, loves coming back to from highest pinnacle of the sport to his local boardriding club – North Steyne.

“I really enjoy surfing in these events,” Neve admitted.

“It’s more about fun and catching up with friends and not trying to take it too seriously,” he added.

“But in saying that, we all want to win for the pride of our individual clubs.

Having had a good year by his lofty standards, Neve is looking to break the top 10 of the ASP World Tour.

“To reach that is my goal for sure,” he said.

“Everyone wants to win the World Title, but I’ve set some clear goals for 2009 and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.”

Unlike conventional surfing contests that play upon individual results, the Jim Beam Surftag National Series is a teams based concept drawing upon the performances of five surfers per team – as opposed to one.

The NSW Jim Beam Qualifier will be held at North Narrabeen on Saturday 24th January 2009 with the main starting on Sunday 25 January 2009 and the final to be held on Australia Day – in front of an anticipated big crowd.

Also taking place is the FCS Manufacturers Cup, which will take place on Saturday, 24th January 2009– pitting the biggest surfboard companies in the industry against each other, under the Surftag format.

For more information on the NSW Jim Beam Surftag and the entire National Series be sure to log on to www.globalsurftag.com.

The NSW Jim Beam Surftag is proudly supported by Jim Beam, FCS, O'Neill, Vmoto, Coastalwatch, Rockstar Energy Drink and Tracks.