Paul Morgan/Miley-Dyer win classic Billabong PRO-Teen

Paul Morgan (enlarge) : photo Surfing Australia/Robertson

Billabong PRO-Teen Woolongong

ASP Australasia Junior Tour
Wollongong, NSW
26 - 29 February 2004

Darkhorse Paul Morgan defeats top seeds to win classic event
Jessi Miley-Dyer Wins Billabong PRO-Teen Junior Girls

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, Sandon Point, NSW (February 29th, 2004): - - Ulludulla darkhorse Paul Morgan turned in a giant killing performance to claim his inaugural victory in one of the all-time classic Billabong PRO-Teen Junior Series events which had pumping point waves on offer for the four days of competition. The surf ranged from the 4 metre bombs on Friday through to the barreling 1.5 metre waves on offer for the final at Sandon Point, Wollongong today.

The unseeded 18-year-old caused a sensation by defeating his three top seeded opponents Clint Kimmins (Gold Coast), Leigh Sedley (Sunshine Coast) and Mitch Semple (Sunshine Coast) in his first ever final to jump from 63rd in the ranking to 25. The lanky goofy footer was trailing behind runner-up Kimmins but with just 6 minutes remaining he went ballistic with a flurry of carving vertical maneuvers to score a near perfect 9.90 and leave all of his opponents to play catch-up until the final siren.

“I just don’t know what to say,” said an amazed Morgan who was cheered from the water by the large crowd who were behind the NSW competitor throughout the 30 minute final.” “I am just so happy right now.”

Sedley’s third placing was enough for him to reclaim the ASP Australasian Junior Circuit ratings lead after the elimination of top seed Ryan Campbell (Sunshine Coast) from the round of 32. Campbell is now ranked at # 2, NSW’s Ben Dunn (Old Bar, NSW) in third and James Wood (Lennox Head) in fourth.

Jessi Miley-Dyer (enlarge) : photo Surfing Australia/Robertson

Sydney surfer Jessi Miley-Dyer used a lucky last wave to leapfrog from fourth to first and snatch victory from fellow Bronte surfer Nicola Atherton in the final of the Billabong PRO-Teen Girls Series. With just minutes remaining Atherton moved into the front with a high scoring 8 point ride but only held the lead for minute before Miley-Dyer made her move with a 7.75 wave score to win her second event on this years ASP Australasian junior circuit.

The Gold Coasts Sheridan Shields finished third and a fourth placing was enough for Rebecca Woods (Copacabana, NSW) to retain her ratings lead on the ASP Australasian junior circuit.

The epic surfing conditions peaked on the Friday, the second day of competition with massive 3 – 4 metre conditions creating record breaking performances by the world’s top junior surfers. Seven of the tournaments fifteen perfect ten point rides were posted on that day thanks to an intense low pressure system off the NSW south coast.

Sunshine Coast surfer Mitch Coleborn set the record for the highest scoring heat ever in the 13 year history of the junior series in the huge waves by backing up his 10-pointer with a 9.9 to score 19.90 out of a possible 20. The 19-year-old attacked the massive right hand waves on his backhand, executing a series of under the lip snaps and layback backhand barrels to secure the near perfect score.

The ASP Australasian junior tour heads to Newcastle for the Wild Surf Co Billabong PRO-Teen Series event on March 18th – 21st.

More photos (large):
Ry Craike
Nick Vascicekth
Josh Rush
Tim Stevenson
Mitch Semple
Phillipe Didelot