Billabong JNR a success

What a success the 2008 Billabong Junior in Jefferies bay was. It was a well run event with great waves and a fantastic atmosphere. Thursday day was pretty small an inconsistent so the kids had to work hard to advance to the next day.

The swell forecast was looking really positive for Friday first thing was cold and wet and still no sign of any swell, by the time the first heat started swell had started pulling in, perfectly groomed 4 foot sets. The perfect place where some of the best junior surfing went down in both the u/16 and u/20 divisions.Dale Staples lit up the excellent surf at The Point in Jeffreys Bay on Day 2 of the fifth and final event in the 2008 Billabong Junior Series on Friday, posting a near perfect score of 9.25 out of 10 for a deep tube ride. Shaun Joubert was hot on his heels with an outstanding performance both technically and tactically throwing huge fans of spray on every turn. Other stand outs in the U/20 must go to Kacey Grant who has been impressive since i came back on the scene 6 month ago.

The swell held through the day and Saturday morning brought perfect lines into Jefferies bay once again. A slight decrease in swell size, light rain and light variable winds are forecast for Saturday. The provisional schedule shows a full day of action with the Pro Junior Round of 16 followed by the quarterfinals of the U16’s and U14’s before the eight Pro Junior girls take to the water in one-on-one heats competing for an invitation to the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships and the FNB sponsored R12 000 that goes towards the airfare to Australia.

The perfect day was ended off by a big get together and a lekker braai but on by the boys and girls from Billabong. The surf had been great the fires going and cold beer was available for everyone of age what an end to a superb day.

Sunday morning we woke up to clean 2-3 foot surf a slight decrease after the light afternoon onshore from the day before totally contestable. Just as the first heat started so did the onshore and conditions deteriorated through the day making the high scoring rides difficult to find although there were still plenty of waves and sets, to win the event you were going to have to be totally 100% FOCUSED.

Congratulations to all the kids that participated it was an honour to watch all these talented kids surf to their best ability there are just way to many to mention them all by name.

Stand out results came from Jacob Mellish from the Strand winning the U/16, Jacob was on fine form throughout the event and was the man to beat. Davey Brand was surfing amazingly during the entire contest and wave selection let him down to end up 2nd over all, a well deserved result. Both these boys clearly benefiting from all the hard work they have been putting into their sport of choice. J.C de Souza was also looking great with big fans of spray on every turn showing everyone that he will be a force to reckon with in the future.

Shaun Joubert was ripping as usual and was well on his way to winning the event when a choice in his semi final let him down. With 8min to go Shaun went on a wave that was not to improve a score and gave priority to competitor and good friend Dale Stapples who had been a stand out the whole week.

Dale went on to win the Semi final and the event, Congratulation bro you are surfing really well and looking good keep it up.

A big Shout out must go to Klee Strachen and family for the overall Billabong series title. A true example of focus, dedication and hard work.

Bianca Buitendag finished second to Sarah Braum from Durban who also made the finals of the u/16 boys she was looking really good on her back hand out at the point of Jeffiries Bay all week and was definitely the lady to beat. Bianca had had exceptional semi final, woman on woman heat with WQS campaigner Nikita Robb. She took her down with her strong new and improved vertical back had re-entries turning average scoring waves into excellent scoring waves, to qualify for the final.

Fellow Brother Daniel Buitendag in the U/14 with his improved confidence and surfing breezed through his competition to make the final where he came unstuck and finished 3rd over all. He was a stand out in his division with big off the tops done with total commitment earning himself big scores.

In the U/12 Benji Brand finished a consist ant 3rd overall and was definitely once again the man to beat. This kid has been surfing so well for a few years now and it seems he has had a life time in the U/12. This result secured him the overall Billabong series champion, compensations for his disappointing result in the final. Benji was looking confident and polished which showed when he was scoring 8's in his quarter and semi final. Well done Kido.

Other stand outs in this division were Max Armstrong, Jordan Maree and little legends Ethan Fletcher and Aiden Maizemcamp and of coarse the the Wichmans. Its amazing to see the standard of surfing at such a young age, South Africa has a bright future.

All in all a great event for everyone involved parents, judges, coaches. organisers and sponsors.

Also big thanks to De Agrellas from Indi back backers for having me.