A Near-Perfect Finish in Ft. Pierce

Words: Will Buehn

Photos: 321 Space Coast Media

The final event of the 2024-25 Florida Cup was nothing short of cinematic. Held at Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park, this South Division competition had high stakes, big moments, and heartbreakingly close calls. It all came down to whether the Treasure Coast Board Riders could land a huge169 points to qualify for their second-ever Florida Cup Finals.

With Space Coast and New Smyrna Beach already qualified for the cup, this was Treasure Coast’s last chance to fight their way in. And fight, they did.

The Road to 169: A Battle to Remember

Going into the event, Treasure Coast knew their task was daunting: they needed a whopping 168.73 points to grab the high-third spot and qualify for the Florida Cup Finals at Sebastian Inlet.

But if any team understood the weight of the high-stakes challenge, it was the Treasure Coast.

Just last year, they found themselves in a similar do-or-die situation at this very event. Needing 116 points to qualify for their first-ever Florida Cup Finals, they rose to the occasion, delivering a clutch performance that secured their spot. It was a moment that cemented their resilience as a club, proving that when the odds are stacked against them, they find a way to answer the call.

This year? The task was even taller. But these Pirates were ready for battle.

As the day unfolded, their crew showed up swinging. They dominated multiple divisions, charging heat after heat, bringing the energy, and igniting the crew.

“We barely escaped walking the plank,” said Space Coast Board Riders in an Instagram post, who had already secured their Finals spot. “They just kept firing the cannons!!”

Treasure Coast’s relentless effort brought it all the way down to the wire. As the final heats wrapped up, the entire place was locked in, watching as the last few rides determined the fate of the event.

They needed just a four-point ride in the closing moments to secure the legendary 169 mark. But as any pirate will tell you, the ocean doesn’t always give up its treasures so easily.

Final score? 167.94—less than a point away.

Space Coast Seals the Perfect Season

While all eyes were on the underdog story, Space Coast Board Riders made sure to finish their undefeated season in style. Their 20s division came in clutch when it mattered most, putting up a strong performance in the final moments to edge out Treasure Coast and take the win.

“Hats off to the Treasure Coast Pirates, who were pillaging and plundering every division yesterday!! For us, it was a great victory because we learned a lot yet again from this humbling experience,” Space Coast said. “We trailed all day, but the crew remained positive and clawed our way back to be within 8 points of the lead going into the final division of the day—and the boys did that and more! Hats off to our entire crew, especially our 20s division who had all the pressure on them!”

The final results:

1st: Space Coast Board Riders – 169.03
2nd: Treasure Coast Board Riders – 167.94
3rd: New Smyrna Beach Board Riders – 115.87
4th: South Florida Board Riders – 55.61

Space Coast heads into the Florida Cup Finals on their home turf, ready to take a shot at the ultimate cup.

Looking Ahead: The 2024-25 Florida Cup Finals

With the regular season complete, the lineup is set for the Florida Cup Finals on March 22nd at Sebastian Inlet.

The final five clubs competing for Florida’s biggest prize:

• Space Coast Board Riders
• Jacksonville Board Riders
• New Smyrna Beach Board Riders
• Daytona Beach Board Riders
• Flagler Board Riders

As for Treasure Coast? The Road to 169 will live on in Florida Board Riders history. Their performance in Ft. Pierce was a reminder of why this sport is so special—it’s about community, resilience, and the pursuit of something greater.

Or, as they put it best:
“Next year, here we come.”