Le-Ba surfers reach national comp final third year running

STANDOUT performances from Stu Kennedy and James Wood highlighted the Lennox-Ballina Boardriders second placing in the $15,000 Jim Beam Surftag final.

Le-Ba made the final for the third consecutive year after winning the event in 2012.

Kennedy was first in the water on Thursday and placed fifth in the Boardriders Cup part of the competition.

There were representatives from 50 boardriders clubs from across Australia who competed.

Wood also competed in an additional event after he was awarded top surfer at the regional qualifier in Ballina.

He scored an 8.83 (out of possible 10) and looked like he would walk away as the national champion.

However Narrabeen's Jordy Lawler nailed 9.5 in a late surge.

Le-Ba came through the semi-finals on Saturday with host club Duranbah walking away winners in the final.

The format of the competition has each club send five of their best to compete in a tag format

The event was moved from Duranbah to Greenmount after unfavourable surf conditions early on the first day.

The Le-Ba team comprised Marcus Aboody, Steve Walsh, Joe Hudson, Jonny Hewett, Kennedy and Wood.

Thirty-two teams competed for across Australia including Byron Bay who were eliminated before the semi-finals.