Usher Cup World Club Challenge 2025

29 Jan

Written By Mike Egan

Friday, 17th January to Sunday, 19th January 2025 - Snapper Rocks

Around 10 days ago, we sent our team of Dakoda Walters, Harley Walters, Garrett Parkes, and Mali Adams up to Snapper Rocks to compete in the Usher Cup World Club Challenge 2025. This prestigious event brought together teams from boardriders clubs across the globe, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to surf uncrowded Snapper Rocks for three days in a quest to crown the ultimate world boardriders club champion.

With teams hailing from the USA, Hawaii, Japan, Portugal, England, Australia, and more. The caliber of surfing talent in the water was immense including World Champions, current and former Pros, and local chargers. The unique team format allowed each of the four team members to claim one high-scoring wave to contribute to the team total. Teams could also earn an additional 3 points at the end of each heat if they made it back to the beach before the final buzzer.

Over the course of three days, our team was kept incredibly busy, surfing a total of seven times against some formidable teams, including North Narrabeen, Snapper Rocks, Torquay, North Shore, Burleigh Heads, and Santa Cruz, among others.

In the first round, we unfortunately placed third, which dropped us into the “Froggies” round—a do-or-die format. But as the waves picked up, so did our results. To progress through each round, we needed a second-place finish or better, and that's exactly what we achieved. Just check out the photos—they don’t lie.

Dakoda’s rail game was on another level, Harley threw down some of the biggest backhand belts of the competition, Garrett delivered stylish, smooth and calculated surfing, and our youngest member, Mali Adams, refused to back down. In the final heat of the Froggies round, Mali stepped up in a big way, outscoring the boys with an epic 7.5 ride filled with solid turns, snaps, and cutbacks, taking her past Little Marley and clinching the win for us.

After battling through five gruelling rounds in the Froggies division, we made it to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side. The ocean didn’t deliver the waves we needed, and we fell short against strong teams like Culburra, Snapper Rocks, and ASCC Portugal. We finished 6th overall, which is still an incredible achievement for our team.

Dakoda, Harley, Garrett, and Mali – you guys absolutely ripped all comp, and everyone at Byron Boardriders is stoked on your performance. A massive thanks to everyone who came up to support the team – your presence meant the world to our surfers.

Finally, a huge thank you to the Usher Cup for letting us be a part of this incredible event. The format, the stage, and the vibe were all amazing. We can’t wait to be back next year!

Word & Pics @byronwaves

VIEW/DOWNLOAD ALL PHOTOS FROM THIS ROUND

SEE RESULTS ON LIVE HEATS