Junior surfers take to Middleton SA for Search Sessions

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR SURFERS TAKE TO MIDDLETON FOR SEARCH SESSIONS SHOWDOWN

The best junior surfers from South Australia converged onto Middleton today for the first Freestyle Jam event of the 2002 Rip Curl Search Sessions Tour, and put on a quality display of stylish surfing in difficult three feet onshore conditions.

Renowned for being a tough surf break to master, competitors from across the state made the most of the shifty wind blown peaks busting tight re-entries, power turns and tail sliding snaps on the main contest bank. Through the free flowing jam format used during the event ,contestants were able to push each other harder than usual with competitors being scored off their best one wave, without the restraints of standard competition.

Spectators and officials unanimously agreed the event was one of the most inspiring and fun events the apple state has seen in recent times.

"The standard of surfing today was the highest I´ve seen in South Australia over the past few years that I´ve been coming here", said Rip Curl event representative Dean Loane.

He added, "Traditionally South Australian surfers don´t get the opportunities that their East Coast rivals get, but everyone here put on a great show and the surfing future of this state looks very solid".

Current sixteen year old state champion Dion Atkinson took out a tight Boys 16 and Under final, while defending South Australian Search Sessions champion David Steele won the Boys 20 and Under final.

In posting their victories both Dion and David now earn spots in the national Search Sessions final to be held at Bells Beach during the Rip Curl Pro at Easter.

"The waves were pretty tough and messy but I was lucky I got a couple of good ones in the final to win. I´m pretty stoked to have won again in the same event that I won last year. I can´t wait to get to Bells", said seventeen year old David Steele during the awards presentation.

Fellow champion Dion Atkinson also spoke, "It feels really good to win my age division here. The standard in the final was really high and it went down to the wire. I guess I had some luck and got the right waves. Christophe and Kyle Gilbert both surfed sick and I actually thought they both were going to get me near the end. I´m stoked and relieved".

Final results were as follows :-

Boys 20 and Under Final

1. David Steele (Middleton)
2. Dion Atkinson (Moana)
3. Phillipe Didelot (Seaford)
4. Jeremy Wheatly (Seaford Rise)

Boys 16 and Under Final

1. Dion Atkinson (Moana)
2. Christophe Didelot (Seaford)
3. Kyle Gilbert (Middleton)
4. Daniel Wano (Middleton)

Girls 20 and Under Final

1. Jessica Atkinson (Moana)
2. Libby Tozer (Middleton)
3. Bianca Atkinson (Moana)
4. Esther Dudley (Seaford)

Jessica Atkinson goes in the running for the Rip Curl Girl incentive award - a domestic airfare to an event of choice Australia wide.

Next week the Freestyle Jam series heads over to the rugged west, with Margaret River set to play host to the West Australian state event, before an after party at the Settlers Tavern downtown,

Then through mid February the East Coast pilgrimage begins with events scheduled for NSW, QLD, and Victoria,

Dates and footsteps for the 2002 Tour are as follows :-

1. February 2-3 South Australia - Moana, Southern Coast
2. February 9-10 Western Australia - Down South
3. February 16-17 NSW - Dee Why/Long Reef
4. February 23-24 Queensland - Gold Coast
5. March 2-3 Victoria - Mornington Peninsula
6. March 9-10 NSW - Port Macquarie
7. March 16-17 NSW - South Coast/Ulladulla

National Final

March 28-April 1 Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, Victoria

The 2002 Rip Curl Search Sessions Tour is proudly co-sponsored nationally by >> GENERATION7, AUSTRALIAN SURFING LIFE, ANSELL, and ELECTRICVISUAL EVOLUTION.

It´s one wild and livid journey into the roots of Aussie surf culture.

For club information and entry details, contact Aimee Pemberton @ Rip Curl - 0352 610000, apemberton@ripcurl.com.au

For event and media information, contact Adam Sharp @ Rip Curl - 02 99706900, 0408 027198, asharp@ripcurl.com.au, and stay tuned to www.ripcurl.com

Contests - Surfersvillage.