Presented By USHER GROUP

Snapper Rocks | D-Bah

29th to 31st January 2021

The three-day event will include the best male and female surfers from board rider clubs from Coffs Harbour to Noosa.

Supported by:

USHER CUP 2021 - COVID ADAPTED EVENT

SUPPORTING LOCAL ATHLETES AND CHARITIES

Recognising the grass roots surfing / Uniting Board Riding clubs / Promoting Junior Programs / Support Male & Female Equality

Snapper Rocks and D-Bah have been selected as the perfect locations for the event this year, with the final location to be determined based on conditions. The event will coexist with normal public activities on the day.

The purpose of the event is to recognise the grass roots of club surfing and to unite our board riding clubs. We aim to encourage and support the clubs by promoting junior programs and support male/female equality.

The event will provide the opportunity for our young surfers to compete after a long period of absence due to the COVID crisis.

Surfers will compete against each other as individuals and at a club level. Individuals will also be awarded throughout the event where creative talent is spotted.

Theodore Vairaktaris
Event Co-Founder

As a successful business owner and entrepreneur, Theodore is an unstoppable force of nature. His passion and never-say-die attitude separates him from people with ideas that never come to fruition. Theodore built the Usher Group from the ground up. He created a culture in the organisation that not only embodies his mindset but also inspires the employees, customers and stakeholders to realise the ambition inherent in that mindset.

As a Gold Coast local, Theo has always had a close attachment to surfing and love of the ocean. For him surfing and being in the ocean is the personification of life. Some waves are worth chasing and riding; some are worth passing. Some waves provide you with an amazing ride, while others leave you wondering. But some days they may not come at all. Most importantly, surfing and the ocean makes you feel alive and part of an amazing journey.

“Our goal is to recognise the grass roots of club surfing and in doing so, unite board riding clubs from Coffs Harbour to Noosa Heads. Equally important, we’re aiming to promote an event that encourages male/female equality.”

Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew
Event Director Wayne “Rabbit”

Bartholomew is the Godfather of Australian Surfing. His contribution to the sport unsurpassed by any other. His epic 1978 World Title just the tip of the iceberg representing his near half century career in competition, coaching and administration from grassroots to elite level. He has been involved in a multitude of governing bodies and a successful lobbyist, advocating the importance of surfing and protecting our waves. As Surfing Australia’s National Coaching Director from 1993 to 1998, Rabbit played a big part in the careers of many of the country’s best surfers.

His passion for surfing began at 12 years of age and to this day, is as unwavering as the ocean. His natural talent and drive thrust him into the pro surfing scene in the mid-1970s, winning a world title in 1978 and rating top five in the world for eight consecutive years on the pro tour.

From pro surfer to mentor and coach, Rabbit’s fervour for the sport kept him touring until the late 1980’s. When he hung up the comp rashie he founded the Wayne Bartholomew Academy of Surfing, investing his time into mentoring future legends of the sport such as Mark Occhilupo, Dean Morrison and Jay Phillips.

In a testament to his dedication, Rabbit was deservingly appointed a member of the Order of Australia AM in 2009 and Gold Coast Sportsman of the Year in 1977, 1978 and 1984.

Rabbit is a life member and former president (1987 to 2002) of his beloved Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club

Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club

Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club plays host to this year’s Usher Cup. Its undoubtedly one of the most stunning destinations in Queensland with picture perfect beaches and unique surfing conditions. It takes a special formula for a club to be at the top competitive level over a thirty-year period. This amazing club is pedigree to eleven world champions.

Coolangatta, Queensland, 4225, Australia

Host Club President Jay Phillips

Jay Phillips is one of the most naturally talented surfers to emerge from the surf-crazed town of Coolangatta. From his stellar career as an all-conquering junior to his current role as respected Snapper Rocks Surfriders club elder and free-surfing standout, Jay has inspired generations of surfers with his talent and charisma. Jay emerged from the quiet backwater of Fingal just down the coast, with a long family history in the region. He soon migrated north to the famed point breaks of the southern Gold Coast, where he honed his flamboyant style on those long groomed walls.

Black Rocks

Burleigh Heads

Cabarita

Coolum

Currumbin Alley

D'Bah

Kingscliff

Kirra

Le-Ba

Mermaid/Miami

Mudjimba

Noosa

North End

North Shore

Palm Beach

Point Lookout

Snapper Rocks

Windansea

Yaroomba

Event Information

Qualifying Series

21 board rider clubs will host regional qualifying events to determine the 3 best males and 1 best female surfers. Each club will receive $300 to hold their Clubs entrant trials.

Main Event

The male event will run over two days. A total of 96 male competitors, 3 male surfers from each club plus 30 local wildcards and 3 sponsor wildcards.

The Female event will run over one day. A total of 48 female competitors, 1 female per club plus 24 local wildcards and 3 sponsor wildcards.

Competition Format

The competition format is based on highest score individual, highest score club and expression sessions.

Scoring

Individual surfers will be scored by the judging panel. The two highest scoring waves will contribute to the highest score.

Individual Expression Prizes

Individual prizes will be given to competitors for.

o The Highest Score
o The Best Aerial
o Most Creative
o Best Spirit of Usher Cup.

Prize Money/Trophies

Males and females will receive equal prize money. A whopping $30,000 in prize money all up donated by Usher Group, including $5,000 for both the first prize male and female winners

Winning Club

The winning Club receives $3,000 in prize money. The criteria is based on the top three male scores and top female competitor scores combined.

Perpetual Trophy

The winning club will hold the perpetual trophy for the entire year. Each year, the new recipient is added to the trophy.

Charities

Your kind donation will go towards supporting this year’s athletes, Board riding Clubs, the cost of running the event and most importantly our nominated Charities.

The Perry Cross Foundation

Committed to finding a cure for paralysis.

Youth Insearch

Empowering young people to turn their disadvantages into their advantages

Camp Quality

Helping children cope with the devastation of cancer.

Starlight Foundation

Brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families

Club Choice

The winning club will also receive $1000 to donate to their charity of choice.

Latest News

Angourie Boardriders Wins the Inaugural Usher Cup

Event News

Angourie Boardriders Wins the Inaugural Usher Cup, Dakota Walters from Angourie takes out the mens, Audrey Styman-Lane from D’Bah takes out the womens.

Usher Cup Thank You

Event News

After almost two years in the making, the inaugural Usher Cup has been run and won, but perhaps the biggest impact this incredible three-day surf contest will have is far removed from the water.

It’s Finals Time at the Usher Cup

Event News

Today, as the competitions heats concluded and surviving competitors prepared for the finals, the contest Director was hailed the inaugural contest a huge success.