Billabong Pro-Teen 2006

ASP Australasia Pro Junior
Wollongong, QLD
7 - 12 February 2006

ASP Junior Ratings Lead May Be Short-Lived for Wilson

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 February, 2006 : - - While 160 of his fellow competitors begun to battle it out for $10 000 at the Billabong Pro-Teen Series surf event at Wollongong today, last weeks event winner and current ASP Australasian Junior Series leader Julian Wilson (Noosa, QLD) will be keeping a close eye on all the action from home.

Due to a family mix up, Wilson failed to submit his entry form before the event deadline and instead of an automatic top round seed, the 17-year-old missed out on a spot in the event completely. Although he is over 1000 points ahead of his nearest rival, his tie to the ASP ratings lead can be severed by the top three surfers chasing his lead in Laurie Towner (Angourie), Mitch Coleborn (Maroochydore) and Matt Wilkinson (Copacabana).

Despite the mix up, Wilson isn’t fazed about the possibility of being knocked off top spot, understanding his young age and strong ability will leave him in fine steed for the four remaining events on this year’s junior schedule. A surfer’s best seven of nine events will count towards the crowing of the ASP Australasian Junior Champion for 2006.

“I’m not going to go down there, I’m going to have a break,” said Wilson. “It has been a super busy start to the year so it will be good to have a bit of a rest. I’m pretty young so I’m not too worried, I don’t really need to go.”

The five day event was officially underway in Wollongong this morning after a move in venue from Sandon Point, two beaches north to Bulli Beach where rounds one and two of the junior men’s were surfed in wind affected 1m waves before being called off.

Local surfers started strongly with Tom Salverson (Gerringong) winning his opening heat against Alex Chacon (Manly), Dane Atcheson, (Copacabana) and Jayce Robinson. Dean Bowen (Gerroa) suffered mixed fortune in his opening round clash, with the heat being called off just prior to the starting siren due to rapidly deteriorating conditions.

Bowen, who has been tagged as surfing with a similar style to fellow south coast pro Mick Lowe has been competing strongly on the junior series this year, displaying immense power and composure at only 14-years of age. “They called my heat off just as I was paddling out, it just stopped breaking,” said Bowen. “I’d been ready for that heat all day.

I have had three round three results so far this year and it is a pretty tough heat. It’s good having this event near home, heaps of my mates are up here watching. I’ll be up early tomorrow surfing the contest bank and hopefully I can get through to round three again.”

Bowen will surf in the first heat of tomorrow morning against David Richards (South Africa), Pierre Laborde (France) and West Australian Jack Bestall (Trigg) while Salverson will match up against big Sunshine Coaster Dean Brady (Noosa), Brett Levingston (Palm Beach,QLD) and Keil Bigeni (Port Macquarie) in round three.

South Coast surfer Owen Wright (Culburra) came out of the blocks firing for the second time in two events posting the morning’s high heat score of 15.00 to progress alongside Merewether’s Wes Bainbridge in the round of 196.

The lanky goofy footer put on a polished performance in the junky waves, using his ability to turn seemingly nothing waves into big scores with only the second “Excellent” wave ridden for the morning an 8.00. Bainbridge progressed alongside Wright in fine style, with Avalon’s Nick Laidlaw eliminated from the event.

Wrights progression to the third round has set up a rematch with the events top seed Matt Wilkinson (Copacabana) scheduled to hit the water tomorrow. Joining Wilkinson and Wright will be Brent Jackson (NSW) and Courtney Brown (Kalbarri). Wilkinson will be looking to get one back on Wright after being uncharacteristically bundled out by the youngster at last weeks Billabong Pro-Teen event on the Gold Coast.

Wilkinson is currently rated fourth on the ASP junior ratings and well within reach of Wilson’s top spot. Gold Coaster Adam Bennetts dominated his opening heat today in a tough 20-minute exchange against South African Brandon Roberts, Philippe Glazer (Manly) and Mitch Shiels (NSW, Mossy Point). The big hitting Main Beach local who was a standout competitor along with younger brother Chris at Burleigh last week excelled in the small lumpy waves.

“It’s pretty small, and kind of onshore but I managed to snag a couple of medium sized ones that ran through to the beach, I was in the lead for pretty much all of the heat which is always comforting,” said Bennetts. “Chris did really well in the last event, I think he ended up equal thirteenth, he is hanging out with me again this week so hopefully we can both go one better and aim for the finals.”

The girls will hit the water tomorrow for the first round of the Billabong Pro-Teen Girls Division. Leading the way for the local South Coast surfers in the opening round will be Bijou Busse (Broulee), Kirby Wright (Culburra) and Ayla Whitney (Thirroul). Tugun based Kiwi surfer Airini Mason will start as out right favourite in the girls division having won three events this year including last weeks event at Burleigh Heads. Holding a commanding lead on the ASP Australasian Junior Series she will hit the water on Friday.

The Billabong Pro-Teen Wollongong is the second of the five event Pro-Teen Series which comprises the ASP Australasian Junior Circuit and offers the series winner a prestigious wildcard slot into the trials of the Billabong Pro World Championship Tour event in Tahiti. (May 4th-16th) The Pro-Teen series also offers 60,000 dollars in prize money and is effectively the back bone of the Australasian Junior Surfing Circuit.

The Billabong Pro-Teen Series for 2006 is supported by Panasonic, Vodafone, Coca-Cola, UV Triplegard, Clearasil, Kustom, Von Zipper, Tracks and Palmers Surf.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

Billabong Pro Teen Series Dates and Locations

Feb 7-12                 Billabong Pro-Teen Series Gold Coast
Feb 15-19               Billabong Pro-Teen Series Wollongong
Mar 16-19               Billabong Pro-Teen Series Raglan NZ
Mar 29-Apr 2          Wild Surf Co/Billabong Pro-Teen Series Newcastle
Sep 27-Oct 1          Billabong Pro-teen Bells Beach

www.billabong.com.au

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Mandy McKinnon
mandy.mckinnon@bigpond.com 

Simon Barratt
sbarratt@billabong.com.au 

Steve Robertson
stever@surfingaustralia.com

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