Connect with us

World

Treasure Coast surf club hopes to make waves at 2025 World Club Challenge in Australia

Published

4 hours ago

on

Treasure Coast surf club hopes to make waves at 2025 World Club Challenge in Australia

The Treasure Coast Board Riders will compete against 48 other surfing clubs worldwide in Australia’s 2025 Usher Cup World Club Challenge — a monumental first for the fledgling club founded in 2021.

“This is definitely putting eyes on what we’re trying to do, which is build the surf community,” said Brandon Gaines Taylor, president and contest director at Treasure Coast Board Riders. “It kind of shows how all our hard work has paid off, and the recognition that we’ve been striving to have.”

Taylor said competing in the fifth annual World Club Challenge is significant for the young club. Despite facing clubs from regions with better waves, he believes the club is ready, citing the team’s talent and qualification for the Florida State Club Championships in Jacksonville Beach earlier this year.

Treasure Coast waves are “sub-par, windy, choppy,” compared to the “world-class waves” the team will see in Coolangatta, Australia, said Taylor, who’s been surfing for 28 years, since he was 4 years old.

“Our vice president has been there one time, so we have a little experience, but I believe our surfers will perform incredibly well,” Taylor said.

TCBR to compete in Australia

play

Treasure Coast Board Riders to surf in 2025 World Club Challenge

14-year-old Marlynn Glaub, club captain and pro surfer of the Treasure Coast Board Riders

The club includes over 100 surfers, but only four will compete:

  • Michel Flores, 41, of Fort Pierce, the club founder and vice president
  • Brian Dapelo, 41, of Vero Beach, a former pro surfer and club coach
  • Gabe Griffin, 18, of Fort Pierce, a pro surfer
  • Marlynn Glaub, 14, of Jupiter, a pro surfer and club captain. She competed in the World Surf League junior championships and a qualifying series championship, earning her ranking in the sport.

World Club Challenge

The club has raised over $5,000, halfway toward its goal of $10,000 to cover the costs of the trip. The club is accepting donations through GoFundMe.

The competition will take place at the Snapper Rocks surf break on the Gold Coast from Jan. 17-19. The club will leave Jan. 11 and spend 10 days there.

They’ll be scored as a team, not as individuals, in categories such as best aerial, most creative, best spirit and highest scoring ride. The top three teams will win:

  • $10,000 for first place
  • $7,000 for second place
  • $6,000 for third place

A total of $60,000 in prizes is up for grabs.

Treasure Coast Board Riders

play

Treasure Coast Board Riders to surf in 2025 World Club Challenge

Michel Flores, former pro surfer and coach

Though based in Vero Beach, the club holds surf clinics and events on beaches throughout the Treasure Coast. Its mission is to share the joy of surfing through lessons, beach cleanups, ocean safety education, competitions, and community events, Taylor said.

Taylor is a Central Florida native who’s lived in Indian River County since 2005 and began giving free surf lessons in 2018. He started the nonprofit to secure funding during the coronavirus pandemic. The club has been part of the Florida Board Riders Association since 2021.

A board riders club is a multigenerational surfing group that brings local surfers together to build community and bond over their shared passion for surfing in a specific area. The concept originated in Australia in the 1960s and only recently reached the U.S. West Coast in 2018-19. In 2020, the Florida Board Riders was established, inspiring the creation of clubs across Florida’s coast and fostering competition among them.

Rachelle Barrett is TCPalm’s general assignment reporter. Contact her at rachelle.barrett@tcpalm.com.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading