The legacy lives on and the U.S. Board Riders adds another notch to its historic rise with the 2024 National Championships presented by New Earth Project locked in for a battle royale at Lower Trestles on May 18. The one-day clash of the clubs brings the best of the East to the West to contest for the ultimate bragging rights at one of the country’s top high-performance waves. The event will be broadcasted live globally on FUEL TV, FUEL TV+, and the USBRC YouTube channel with additional coverage from SURFER Magazine.
“We’re stoked to be back at Lowers with more clubs and new partners,” said Don Meek. “SURFER Magazine is joining us as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 WCBR Wheat Cup and A New Earth Project is back as the presenting sponsor of the USBRC National Championships.”
It all begins with the honorary Wheat Cup in homage to Huntington Beach’s own Casey Bauer Wheat beginning May 16th and 17th to qualify three final teams for the National Championships on May 18. Wheat was a part of the spark that created the West Coast Board Riders and now that flame is burning brighter than ever after the first-ever Wheat Cup West Coast Board Riders and National Championships were held in 2021. The West Coast Board Riders South Central collective took the win during the inaugural National Championships at Huntington Beach before reformatting into individual clubs taking on Lower Trestles and San Clemente Board Riders stealing the show in 2022. The legacy squad of San Clemente wasn’t to be stopped and went for back-to-back wins with the help of Kade Matson’s Perfect 10 whammy and Kolohe Andino’s 8.43 for the highest score in USBRC history – a 28.43.
Brent Flaaten
New Earth Brings New Spark for USBRC
An event worthy of proper sponsor backing is receiving just that with A New Earth Project returning as presenter of the National Championships.
“We are deeply committed to our mission of ridding the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers of plastic pollution” said Wes Carter, founder of A New Earth Project. “Partnering with U.S. Board Riders allows us to connect directly with communities on the front line and we’re stoked to be part of the growing board riders club movement here in the U.S.”
Also bringing in their support are Turtlebox Audio, Yeti, West Peak Sparkling Spirits, SunBum, Banzai Bowls, Northside Grill by Caliente, Board ‘n Brew, Rip Curl, FuWax, FUEL TV, The Surf Network, the Couch Surfing Show, Action Sports Canopies, Live Heats, California State Parks and Zebra House Coffee.
Who’s Got Chips at the Table
Now, San Clemente is back to vie for a dominant three-peat against and the final three teams to be determined at the Wheat Cup.
NORTH
1st-Santa Cruz
2nd-Central Coast
NORTH CENTRAL
1st-Huntington Beach
2nd-South Bay
SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-San Clemente
2nd-Newport
SOUTH
1st-Encinitas
2nd-Carlsbad
HIGH THIRD WILDCARD
Dana Point
The 2nd place clubs plus High Third will surf on Thursday 5/16 with the winning club moving on to Friday 5/17 to meet the 1st place clubs in the Final
Top 3 clubs will move on to USBRC National Championships on Saturday 5/18 to face the North Shore Board Riders, Cape May Board Riders, Outer Banks Board Riders, Spacecoast Board Riders, and Jacksonville Board Riders.
It all goes down starting May 16th and will run through the 18th, with the culmination of these clubs’ runs through the 2024 season ending with a fight for their share of history. Fans around the world can watch live May 18th on FUEL TV, FUEL TV+, plus the USBRC YouTube Channel courtesy of Action Sports Production. Stay tuned for more on the event lead-in and live coverage at SURFER.com and USBRC.org.