Queensland’s best under 18 and 16 boy surfers lead the charge for day one of the Arnette Queensland Junior Surfing Titles.
North Stradbroke Island (Tuesday 30th June, 2009): Contest organisers didn’t hesitate in getting an immediate start to today’s second leg of the Arnette Queensland Junior Surfing Titles in a clean, building 1metre southerly swell.
With an action packed three day schedule ahead, the girls were given a lay day and it was up to the boys to shoot it out against the state’s best . Two rounds of the under 16’s and under 18’s boys were completed in what many agreed were the best waves in Queensland today as both the Gold and Sunshine coasts remained dead flat.
Event Manager Scott Gillies was delighted with the conditions as the opening siren sounded “The waves are great now and if Huey’s on our side things should get even better as the tide pushes in”
Wave God Huey didn’t disappoint, nor did top seed in the under 18’s Jack Freestone (Coolangatta). Freestone looked at home in the punchy beach break conditions, a location whereby he featured in the 2009 final of the February Oakley Pro Junior. Sticking to his game plan, Freestone impressed the judges today with a mix of big turns and aerial manoeuvres to book a spot in round two of competition.
Also impressing the judges was second seeded Currumbin surfer Thomas Woods who bagged the day’s highest wave score of 9.5 out of a possible 10. His combined score of 17.83 out of 20 sets the scene for a showdown with Freestone when they come up against each other in the semi finals.
“I’m sure it will be a tough heat but I’m looking forward to coming up against Jack and Tim in the Semis. The waves were fun today and should get even better for the finals” Said a calm and collected Woods after his heat.
Showcasing Queensland’s future talent, the under 16 boys were in their element today as the cream of the crop progressed through to round two. Amongst the winners was Sunshine Coast surfer Eli Steele. Steele won his quarter final heat (12.83) beating Harry Bryant (8.90) and Michael McCarron (7.47) setting up a semi final berth tomorrow. His backhand attack was just as impressive as his forehand on a day where rights played an uncharacteristic prominence at Main Beach.
Series winners will join a who’s who of the Queensland surfing scene that have netted state junior titles including 2007 world champion Mick Fanning (Coolangatta), current world no.1 Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta), Bede Durbidge (Currumbin) and world tour competitor Dean Morrison (Coolangatta).
Top seeds from events 1 and 2 will be eligible to compete in the final event on the Sunshine Coast on August 8-9. The top 24 rated – U/16 and U/18 year old boy surfers and the top 8 – U/16 and U/18 year old girl surfers will be invited to contest the final event.
2009 champions will be decided from a surfer’s best three results from the three event series.