Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior
Presented by Globe

ASP Australasia
Gold Coast, Queensland
23 - 29 January 2006

International junior surfers dominated the first day of competition
sending a clear message to the Australian grommets of their intentions!

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 January, 2006 : - - The natural Norfolk pine lined park of Burleigh headland provided a perfect backdrop while turning on clean 1m plus, pristine peeling waves for the first day of competition, at the Brothers Neilsen “$10,000 / five star” Pro Junior.

The serene conditions were quickly shredded apart by a handful of hungry Hawaiian, Japanese, French, USA and in particular South African chargers, attacking the winding walls of Burleigh, on their Aussie assault, giving the local and interstate gom’s a run for their money. It was apparent from the outset that the overseas surfers (who have been sent to Australia by their sponsors for some serious junior contest training) were going to be a force to reckon with.

Setting an early standard, the first two heats were dominated by two of the many touring internationals, with Hawaiian Eric Knutson striking the first blow winning his heat in fine form, displaying some powerful Hawaiian hacking on the clean Burleigh walls, while South African (SA) Shaun Jourbert accounted for his Australian opponents with ease, as he hooked into some solid off the top gouges, no doubt thinking he was back at his favored Jeffery’s Bay in SA.

But it was heat three that the overseas assault was obvious, when Tahitian Taumata Puhetini turned on some Polynesian prowess, pulling into one deep backhand rail grab ride after the other. Judges were obviously impressed, awarding him a 9.0 and a 9.5, giving him the highest heat score of the day, as well as walking away with the daily $250 sponsors individual highest wave score prize.

It was the South African surfers though, that went on to demolish the field, with Nel Keegan and Rudy Palmboom earning convincing wins in their heats along with Josh Scheltzer and Kyle Jacobs from Durban advancing through to the next round, both taking second in their heats.

Japanese surfer Hidetoshi Kirizume blazed a trail of destruction in heat 19, jagging the set waves and shredding the glassy faces to pieces, leaving the all NSW line up of Chris “Chippa” Wilson, Luke Reading and Brad King in his wake. Although taking fourth in that heat, Chippa put on a great display of aerial chop hops, briefly taking hold of the sponsors daily “Most futuristic move” which brings a $250 bounty with it.

Unfortunately he was nudged out of contention a few heats later when WA’s Daniel Waddell pulled off an amazing air reverse with an, under the lip recovery in the impact zone, a move that left the judges scratching their heads in amazement. The Aussie fight back came in the way of Coffs Harbour’s Billy Kean, when he hit the water in heat 12, attacking the Burleigh lips with his unmistakable, off the top, tail sliding slashes.

Gold Coast surfer Lance Pirie also surfed strong on his backhand, showing maturity in his surfing well above his years taking second in his first round heat, advancing to the next round tomorrow. At 14 he was last years youngest surfer in this event and a wild card, now at 15 he has improved in leaps and bounds and will be certainly one to watch in future.

Other Australian standouts were Queensland’s Noah Lane and Curtis Ewing plus NSW Wylie Moyes, Bobby Firth, Jessy Allen and Wes Bainbridge, all advancing to the next round as well. Organizers were stoked to kick the first day off at Burleigh and with more swell expected throughout the week we should see the surfing go through the roof, especially with the introduction of the top seeds on day three.

The “Brothers Neilsen Pro Jnr” is a mobile event. Based at Burleigh but with the option of chasing the best waves on the day giving the amped junior field a chance to unleash their furious fast paced surfing action in a quest to make their mark on the world professional junior surfing scene.

This year’s event will see daily bonus cash prizes up for grabs. Two, $250 cheque’s will be on offer for the best moves judged on the day, pushing competitors to new heights and nudging the standard of junior surfing to new levels.
That’s an additional $500 on offer, on each day of competition.

This year’s event also includes a new service with daily live link ups to the action with anyone able to log onto www.surfingaustralia.com.au to check out the surfing and to send messages to their favorite surfers, which can be read out over the PA by the commentators passing on your support and comments. Give it a go!

Daily Updates of the events location and daily results will be heard on 90.9 Sea- FM.

Past winners include TJ Barron, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Andy Irons and Luke Munro.”

Previous reports:
# 1 : Top int'l competitors head to Brothers Neilsen Pro Jnr. 
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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For further information please contact:
ASP Australasia
ph: 02 6674 9888

Glen Rawlings 
glenraw@optusnet.com.au

Surfing Queensland
ph: 07 5520 1165
email: scott@surfingqueensland.com.au

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