Billabong World Junior Championships

2004 ASP Billabong World Junior Championships
North Narrabeen, NSW.
1st-8th January 2005

Josh Kerr & Wade Goodall selected as ASP trialists

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 December 2004: - - While most of the world's top pro surfers are enjoying a well deserved break after an intense year of touring, Luke Egan (Gold Coast, Aus) will be heading to North Narrabeen to once again assume the role of Billabong World Junior Championships Contest Director from New Years day.

After a lack luster 2003 competitive year the 34-year-old touring stalwart bounced back in 2004 to achieve his goal of a top five finish on the World Championship Tour (WCT) including a victory in the Billabong Pro Mundaka to claim the no.5 position on the end-of-year 2004 ASP world ratings.

The big goofy footer will put his vast surfing knowledge to good use at Narrabeen, as 48 of the worlds best U/20 competitors from the seven ASP world regions of Nth America, Europe, Asia, Hawaii, South Africa, South America and host region Australasia vie for the prestigious 2004 ASP World Junior Title.

"I really enjoyed myself as contest director last year and I don't think that this year will be any exception," Egan said. "For me I just enjoy giving the younger guys a WCT (man on man) format and getting experience for what we deal with now in the WCT."

"Back when I was 16, 17 competing in the juniors was the man on man format and then they changed for a while but I was really stoked that Billabong bought it back to a WCT format for the younger guys because there is no better way of getting experience in surfing man on man heats than actually doing it."

"All of the WQS (World Qualifying Series) is four man heats so guys get thrown into the deep end when they qualify from the QS into the CT and go man on man without much experience," Egan explains.

The only down side for Egan is, if North Narrabeen is at its best as a perfect spitting left hand ride, it is a formidable mistress for the surfing giant who would rather be ripping the line-up than calling the shots on the beach. "I get a bit antsy actually, watching heats all day as contest director but I really enjoy it," he said. "It's a way for me to give back to the sport and at the same time make the younger guys more experienced."

"I just try to make the event how I would like it," he said.

Egan's sensational return to an elite top five position proved he is capable of a winning an illusive world title next year. The Gold Coaster can now put his forgettable 2003 season behind him where he finished in the re-qualifying position of 18th, after failing to make it past the fourth round of any WCT event, a striking contrast to the form which saw him finish runner up in 2000 and third in 2002.

The resilient competitor used his own distinct brand of surfing that has seen him become an Australian icon to finish at no.5 in the world. Known for his powerful forehand cut backs and an uncanny barrel sense Egan utilized his carving strength in the powerful river mouth break of Mundaka to ultimately put in him poll position.

"Definitely the highlight for me this year was winning at Mundaka," Egan said. "It was pretty special for me, not only because it's a Billabong event but I have been going there for about 20 years now and got really close to some of the people who live there.

"It's a great left hander and I have performed well in other left handers around the world so it really was a special win."

The self confessed motor sport enthusiast has no time for rest, foregoing new years celebrations for the second year running as contest director at the ASP Billabong World Junior Championships set to begin at North Narrabeen (Sydney Australia) on January 1st 2005.

Day one of competition will see eight ASP international selected surfers face up against eight surfers from the Australasian Junior Series ratings in the Von Zipper trails for the two remaining positions in the main event. ASP, have selected eight surfers from around the globe who due to other commitments, failed to qualify for the Billabong World Junior Championships. Former world aerial surfing champion Josh Kerr (Gold Coast) and Wade Goodall (Sunshine Coast) have been included in the ASP list of trialists along with American brothers Dane and Patrick Gudauskas, Heiarii Williams (Tah), Gony Zubizarretta (Eur) and Jean Sebastienne Estienne (Eur).

ASP president Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew believes whoever qualifies for the main event will be more than capable of giving the seeded surfers a run for the world junior crown stating, "All the surfers in the trials are of an exceptional standard. The Gadauskas brothers are regarded as the next Hobgoods to emerge from America. There's no doubt it's going to be tough to make the main event but they are all with a shot."

Surf conditions for the event are already looking favourable, with a mid range (1.5-2m) southerly swell predicted to kick start the event.

Tune in the www.billabongpro.com  from January 1st for all the live action available via Webcast

Previous reports:
# 1 : 2004 Billabong World Junior Championships teams set
# 2 : De Souza to defend Billabong World Junior Champ title
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon

The Billabong World Junior Championships are supported by Panasonic, Vodafone, Coke, Garnier, Banana Boat, Von Zipper and Surfing Australia.

More Australian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts

For further information please contact;

Simon Barratt
sbarratt@billabong.com.au

Mandy McKinnon
mandy@aspworldtour.com

Steve Robertson
stever@surfingaustralia.com.au

Junior Contests - Surfersvillage

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