THE Phillip Island Boardriders Club capped off another incredible season with a packed-out presentation night at the clubrooms. The evening had a vintage theme, with catered pizza and music from DJ Lachie Eastwood – last year’s junior clubman – who kept the dance floor pumping well into the night.
The best club personwward – the most prestigious honour of the night – was awarded to Nat Van Der Hayden, recognising her enormous contribution both in and out of the water. Nat not only keeps the club running smoothly year-round but also brings great energy and positivity to every comp.
The president’s award followed, presented to Andrew Lidsey for his tireless work and ongoing commitment throughout the season. Andrew’s support in keeping the club tidy and shooting some outstanding photography at the events has been instrumental in another successful year.
Another highlight was Eddie Maier receiving the best junior clubman award. Eddie is not only impressed with his surfing talent at such a young age but consistently shows leadership, enthusiasm, and a willingness to help at every event. He truly lives and breathes Boardriders and is shaping up as a future leader of the club.
Savannah Bennett and Phoenix Stedman also received big wraps for their performance, growth, positive contribution both in and out of the water, reflecting the club’s strong youth development focus, taking out the best junior club woman award and most improved female awards.
Most improved junior went to Toby Davies, who was blowing up all of last season and is a future champion of the club.
The open men’s champion, Harry de Roth, and open women’s champion, Lillian Bassed, were celebrated for their outstanding seasons. Their wins also secure them the club’s coveted wild-card entries into the 2026 Rip Curl Pro Trials, a huge opportunity on one of surfing’s biggest stages.
With the new season set to start in just a couple of weeks, Phillip Island Boardriders have a jam-packed calendar ahead, including the World Club Championships at Snapper Rocks in February and the Australian Boardriders Battle national final in March, where the club’s top surfers will once again fly the flag for the Island on the national stage.
Awards:
Open Divisions
• Women: 1. Lillian Bassed 2. Sarah Seuren 3. Scarlett Rennie.
• Men: 1. Harry de Roth 2. Dylan Thomas James 3. Luke Archibald.
Juniors and cadets
• Junior females: 1. Abbey Clarke 2. Lillian Bassed 3. Jade Hilford
• Junior males: 1. Jarrah Cicero 2. Rye Cicero 3. Lachie Eastwood
• Cadet females: 1. Scarlett Rennie 2. Savannah Bennett 3. Phoenix Stedman
• Cadet males: 1. Arch Rayner 1. Dusty Rayner 2. Angus Kennedy 3. Eddie Maier
Longboard Division
• Mixed juniors: 1. Savannah Bennett 2. Scarlett Rennie 3. Taj Ransom
• Style masters: 1. Andrew Lidsey 2. Natalie Van Der Heyden 3. Warren Fowler
• Open women: 1. Ebony Maier 2. Nala Taylor 3. Jerrie Liberati
• Open men: 1. Andrew McHenry 2. Eli Curry 3. Ben Gerard Taylor
Special Awards
• Most improved male – Toby Davis
• Most improved female – Phoenix Stedman
• Gung Ho award – Jarrah Cicero
• Dumb Bell award – Jai McDonald
• President’s award – Andrew Lidsey
• Club person of the year – Natalie Van Der Heyden
• Best junior club woman – Savannah Bennett
• Best junior club man – Eddie Maier
• Most improved longboard – Lucy Camenzuli