Billabong Pro-Teen 2006

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

Results & Heat draws

Cabarita Surfer Blows Up At Wollongong & Sunshine Coaster Celebrates Birthday Win 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 February, 2006 : - - (Wollongong) - For the second consecutive day competitors have been plagued by tiny waves at the Billabong Pro-Teen Series in Wollongong which again relocated from the preferred location of Sandon Point, to the beach break swell magnet of Bulli.

Despite the lacklustre 1-2foot (0.5-1m) conditions, Northern NSW surfer Chris “Chippa” Wilson (Cabarita) went absolutely ballistic in the meagre waves, blowing apart the best of what was on offer and winning through to the third round with the highest heat score of the event so far of 15.40. Progressing alongside Wilson was Gold Coast surfer Joel Nantes (Palm Beach) while Chris Salisbury (Newport) and Ryan Hawker (NZ) were eliminated from the event. 

“I don’t like generally like surfing when it’s like this,” said Wilson of the conditions at Bulli Beach today.  “But in competition this is just what you have to deal with.  I practise a lot in waves very similar to this at home to prepare for heats just like that.  I prefer good, bigger waves, just like everyone, but when it is small and average I still feel comfortable.”   

Pulling one of his patented backside “Shouvit” aerials, Wilson also put himself in the lead for the best Kustomised Manoeuvre, which offers $1000 to the most innovative move pulled off by any surfer during the entire event and also posted the highest wave score of the day, an 8.5. 

The much anticipated re-match between top seed Matt Wilkinson (Copacabana) and South Coast surfer Owen Wright (Culburra) turned into a spectator sport for their two other heat competitors today as both progressed easily into round four.  Wilkinson bounced back from his worst result of the year at Burleigh last week to win the 20-minute-exchange on a combined heat score of 13.00, in a purely dynamic display. 

Wright, who languished with low scores for the majority of the heat caught up to Wilkinson with minutes remaining, boosting solid aerial to easily secure second spot.  Brent Jackson (NSW) and Courtney Brown (Kalbarri) were eliminated.

“We have surfed against each other four times this year and now it’s two wins each, so I’m pretty stoked to stay on par with him,” said Wilkinson.  “I was pretty worn out last week, I had been surfing a lot of heats and had just done a training camp at Casuarina which was pretty intense.  I was definitely mentally drained.  I had a couple of days at home between Burleigh and this event and I feel completely recharged.  I’m confident I can do well here.”

Sunshine Coast surfer Dale Lovelock (Warana) continued his run of top form this morning, progressing through to the third round along with West Australian surfer Jake Perkins (Kalbarri).  His convincing heat win backed up his best ever equal fifth placing on the Gold Coast last week and came at a perfect time, the young natural footer celebrating his 19th birthday today. 

Also progressing through was Dean Brady (Noosa), looking sharp in the small conditions despite his massive frame.  Brady won his opening heat of the event with the Gold Coasts Brett Levingston placing second. 

Other surfers to progress with impressive performances on day two of the five day competition included last week’s finalist Brendan Leckie (Palm Beach, QLD), Wes Bainbridge (Merewether), Gus MacGregor (Maroubra), Tom Clarke (Rockingham), Dylan Hannah (Cronulla) and Jayke Sharpe (Sandy Beach, NSW).  Locals currently through to the fourth round include Parish Byrne (Thirroul) and Brett Burcher (Mollymook) with more heats to be surfed this afternoon. 

The Billabong Girls Pro Teen Series was placed on hold today with contest organisers opting to run through as many of the junior men’s heats as possible.  The first round is expected to get underway tomorrow. 

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 : Billabong Pro Teen event #2 kicks off at Wollongong
# 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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