Usher Cup

Usher Cup 2022

Supporting Local Athletes and Charities

As we approach Year 2 of Usher Cup we are excited to be heading back to Snapper Rocks – the OG location with our hosts, Snapper Rocks Surfirders Club.

In January 2021 we set out to create a unique hybrid surf contest- to recognise grassroots club surfing and to unite boardrider clubs up and down the coast – and we had a blast!

Supporting individual and club programs, Usher Cup provides a platform for the sport’s emerging stars to showcase their talents and take their skills to the next level.

By invitation only, Boardrider Clubs bring their best 4 surfers who then compete for both the individual and club top spots. Creative expression is also recognised throughout the comp and most importantly male and females receive equal prize money.

See event format below and keep your eye on news and socials for the latest updates!
Please note: This event will coexist with normal public activities on the day.

In 2022, 28 Boardrider Clubs from up and down the coast will descend on Snapper Rocks for 3 epic days of surfing, and the chance to win $7,000 – going to 1st place male and female surfers!!

With a total prize pool of $73,400 there are plenty of reasons for the surfers and clubs to get excited.

Watch this space to see which Boardrider Clubs have signed up!

Theodore Vairaktaris
Event Co-Founder

Theodore is the brainchild and Managing Director of Usher Cup’s presenting partner, Usher Group.

As a successful business owner and entrepreneur, Theodore is an unstoppable force of nature, filled with passion and a never say die attitude which has been paramount to his company’s success and the culture he has cultivated within.

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.

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 com- petition, 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.

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.

Jay Phillips
Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club President (Host)

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.

SNAPPER ROCKS

Located on the Southern end of Gold Coast, Snapper Rocks is undoubtedly one of the most sort after and stunning surf destinations in Queensland, with a killer sunset to complete an epic day out in the waves.

With neighbouring beaches either side – Rainbow Bay and D-bah – Snapper Rocks offers a unique surfing experience in pristine conditions.

SNAPPER ROCKS SURFRIDERS CLUB

Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club once again plays host to this years Usher Cup.

An amazing club with a long history and pedigree to eleven world champions, SRSC is no stranger to top level competitive surfing.

Last year, the clubs’ Kobie Enright took home 3rd place in the Women’s and Jagger Bartholomew (wildcard entrant) took home 2nd place in the Men’s. Let’s see what they bring in 2022

Event Information

Qualifying Series

28 Boardrider Clubs will host regional qualifying events to determine the 3 best male and 1 best female surfers.

Each club will receive $300 to hold their Clubs entrant trials.

COMPETITORS

**The Men’s event will run over two days with a total of 96 competitors – 3 male surfers from each club plus a number of wildcard entrants.

**The Women’s event will run over one day with a total of 48 competitors – 1 female per club plus a number of wildcard entrants.

Competition Format

The competition format is based on the highest score individual – male and female, highest score club and expression sessions.

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

MAIN EVENT

** Proposed schedule**

Day 1: Female rounds – all heats
Day 2: Male – Round 1 and Round 2 – first 12 heats
Day 3: All remaining rounds plus Male and Female finals. Winners presentation held on the beach directly after the finals.

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 with a massive prize pool of $73,400 up for grabs.

Prize money kindly donated by Usher Group.

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.

** Please note: All competitors – male and female – to be prepared to compete on Day 1. A final running schedule will be posted on Tuesday 25th morning, 3 days before the event.

Charities

Continuing our ongoing charity drive to assist those in need, Usher Cup 2022 is proud to launch the #$10kforTEN campaign.

In association with the grassroots surf contest, Usher Cup will be raising funds to directly contribute $10,000 to ten local charities across South East Queensland.

Arcadia College offers an alternative approach to education for young people who have disengaged from mainstream schooling. Catering for a diverse range of students’ needs, they provide a holistic approach to give students the best opportunities to build their future pathways and lives.

Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) create a brighter future for animals in need. They work hard so that every companion animal has a safe and caring environment where their intrinsic needs are respected and met, providing assistance and medical care to animals across the state.

White Cloud endeavours to provide early access to treatment and support for people living with or at risk of depression, increasing awareness and support services across the southeast coast.

The Gold Coast Hospital Foundation is a local community organisation that raises funds to support patients and their families by delivering local health programs and projects across the coast.

The Sanctuary provides refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence whilst they get back on their feet. Funded entirely by donations, this charity relies on the generosity of the community to continue its support services on the southern Gold Coast.

Friends with Dignity helps support survivors of domestic violence after leaving everything behind – working in collaboration with refuge and crisis centres, they provide practical programs to assist survivors. Friends with Dignity aims to reduce the tolerance of such a crime as they step up, speak out and support.

The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital helps to treat, rehabilitate, and release sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife to Australia’s fauna, whilst providing support and sanctuary for those who are unfit to be released.

A charity created in the heart of the pandemic, Serving our People aspires to help those in the community who are at risk. They provide delivery services, food, and companionship as well as health and fitness support.

The Preston Campbell Foundation provides inspiration and mentorship to young Indigenous Australians to achieve their aspirations and dreams, creating connections with their culture, sense of place and wellbeing.

Volunteering Gold Coast demonstrates the power and impact of volunteering to create inclusive communities that encourages connection, participation and giving back. Supporting Not-For-Profits in volunteer recruitment, people living with a disability, and older Australian’s with transport needs, social outings, community visitor schemes, Accessible Beaches program and more.

Merch

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Latest News

Usher Cup 2022 Champions

Event News

The competitions best surfers provided with a window of thirty minutes to showcase their skills in rapidly improving conditions at Snapper Rocks.

Usher Cup proud to present “$10K for TEN” on the beach

Event News

Usher Cup 2022 has now officially wrapped after a huge three days of epic surfing and our kings and queens of the waves being awarded.

International Surfing Returns to the Gold Coast

Event News

Year one was a huge success and set new benchmarks for grassroots surf contests and then in year two, the Usher Cup welcomed in an international audience with the events live stream broadcast watched by tens of thousands of people all over the world.