It’s the hottest event of any Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf carnival. Everything is up for grabs. Bragging rights, cash rewards and the honor of standing on the podium with your teammates, a part of the weekends, unofficial, best performance – The Mixed Taplin.
If given the opportunity to stand on top of that podium, who would you choose to help you there?
BRIELLE COOPER OR MATT BEVILACQUA?
Growing up on the Coast, the beach her backyard, Burleigh Head’s Queen B is an all-rounder in the women’s arena. She’s Australia’s youngest ever KNG Ironwoman Champion, she finished fourth overall in the 2022/23 Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf swim series and can navigate her craft through the ocean like she’s a part of it. But would you choose her diversity over boyfriend Bevy’s board leg?
He’s the 5x Molokai World Champion, he took out the 2021 Open Aussie Board Title and is currenting the reigning KNG Ironman Champ. With his board paddling proving too strong for the field throughout the season and a constant hunger for greater success, the choice between the B’s is tough but either way, you’ll get 100% commitment out of whichever B you choose.
GEORGIA MILLER OR RILEY FITZSIMMONS?
You name it, she’s won it. Hall of Fame recipient, triple crown winner and the current KNG Ironwoman Series Champ, Georgia Miller is arguably Australia’s best and if you will, ever, Ironwoman. AS they say, you’re as good as your last race and having missed the 2023 Australian Champs due to a freak accident, Georgia last stood on top of the podium with her team at the 2023 Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic. AS mentioned above, she’s Surf Sports best female athlete, but would you pick her over fiancé, Australian Olympic Kayaker and the 2022 Aussies Ski Champion, Riley Fitzimmons? Her positivity throughout her recent experience could bring any team to the top, but does Riley’s speed through the water and skills within the surf conquer all? Will leave that one to you.
TIARNEE MASSIE OR OLLY MONAGHAN?
Big things come in small packages and when it comes to this pocket rocket, truer words have never been spoken. Representing Australia in her newest cap #497, successfully claiming 3/3 titles in both the Board Relay and Board Rescue, with a cheeky win across the sand in the beach relay, it’s clear that Tiarnee Massie will deliver for her team. Finishing the 2022/23 Shaw and Partner Summer of Surf series with a 3rd placing in the overall Ironwoman point score, a consistent board result to finish 4th, alongside a 6th overall placing in the KNG series, you can bet your bottom dollar that it’s the size of the fight in the woman, and not the size of the woman in the fight.
For partner Olly Monaghan, it’s looking like an exciting summer ahead. Having won the U19 Ironman at the 2022 Australian Championship, claiming a 6th and an 8th in the U19 ski and board respectively, Olly now leads into his second year as an Open competitor with more experience, more strength and possibly, more height? Who would you choose? The powerful pocket rocket or the tall, towering potential?
LILY O’SULLIVAN OR DREW GREEN?
Last season we saw her claim 8 world titles under the green and gold cap of the Australian Youth Lifesaving team, she’s the reigning U19 Australian Ironwoman and Board champion, she was the recipient of the last years Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf U19 Female MVP and awarded Best Female Competitor of the 2023 Australian Championships, ladies and gentlemen – Lily O’Sullivan. Hand her a board, a ski, a pair of goggles, whichever you choose, she’s got you covered!
Obviously, that’s an introduction hard to compete with but, take a package deal with training partner and boyfriend Drew Green, and the pair will uplift any team, anywhere, anytime.
BAILEY OR COOPER WILLIAMS?
It’s said that opposites attract, and in this case, they are a match made in heaven. A dedicated, supportive relationship that continues to deliver a high morale across the sand for every clubby that they cross. Stamping his name last season, Cooper Williams was a consistent front runner in every race that he entered, earning him an overall 3rd placing in the Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf Ironman standings. For brother Bailey it was a cool, calm, and collected performance throughout the summer. Unphased by the stress of his handling duties, the ski was sat perfectly, the board in reverse order, and when Cooper chose to wear his goggles, Bailey had them anti fogged and ready to go. These guys showcase everything that one would want in their Taplin team, love, commitment and banter, something that 400’s, flat water and chin ups cannot supply.
Showcasing the depth of surf sports throughout 6 individual legs, with 3 women and 3 men represented respectively, the carnival finale is one to be a part of!
Get your teams together, get your entries in, The Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf Mixed Taplin is the one to win.
THE 6-PERSON MIXED TAPLIN