Wade Goodall : photo Steve Robertson

Billabong Pro-Teen 2006

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

Results & Heat draws

Towner Makes A Move On Wilson’s Ratings Lead

South Coast NSW Surfer Top Scores In Blistering Heat Win

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 February, 2006 : - - (Bulli Beach, Wollongong) - Northern Rivers Natural Footer Laurie Towner (Angourie) has made a move, albeit a shaky one, on the ASP Australasian Junior Series ratings lead currently held by Sunshine Coast surfer Julian Wilson (Noosa), after progressing through his opening heat at the Billabong Junior Series at Wollongong today. 

“He’s had a bit of a shocker not putting his entry in on time,” said Towner.  “Julian is a long way ahead, but’s it’s definitely left the door open for me to grab the lead back.  He is a good competitor though and I’m sure he’ll be back, you can’t give him an inch.” 

Towner needs to reach the Quarter finals in order to reclaim the lead he was originally holding after winning the opening event of the year in Victoria.  Facing event wildcard David Delroy-Carr (Cottesloe) and Kiwi duo Nathan Welch and Kieren Van Der Helder, Towner looked out of touch and re-acted that his board was not suited to the conditions.  Surfing a bank, way to the left of the contest zone, Towner was told to move back into the line-up in order to be scored by the judges, and after three average waves finally linked a combined score together of 10.20 to win the heat. 

“I was lucky to get through, I had a slow start to the heat and fortunately had a good score towards the end, but I wasn’t feeling that good out there,” said Towner.  “The waves are small and it’s pretty hard to surf so hopefully it will pick up a little bit.  I wasn’t at all happy with my result on the Gold Coast, just a round of 24, if I could do a little bit better down here I’d be happy.” 

Other Northern rivers surfers to move through to tomorrow’s competition include Lennox pair James Wood and Stephen Walsh.  

With a slight pulse in swell overnight, glassy clean 1m waves welcomed competitors on day three as the top seeded round of the junior men’s competition was completed including right through to the final 16 surfers in the girls division. 

Culburra’s Luke Cheadle top scored for the day and also locked in the second highest heat score of the event with a scorching performance, a clear standout among the few South Coast surfers left in the event.  Finding a rare linking gem of a left hander, the naturally talented goofy footer went to town, smashing the clean wall three times before kicking off on the sand, rewarded with an 8.9.  At 20-years-of age, Cheadle is currently rated 16th on the ASP junior rankings after four events, moving through to the fourth round of today’s event on a combined total of 14.65 with Narrabeen’s Chris Enever.  

“I had a bit of a nervous start but I found a good left mid may through the heat, got a couple of good whacks in and scored an 8.9, so I guess I had a good heat.  I’ve been waiting for this comp all year, I did well in it last year so I’m frothing to try and take the win for the South Coast.” 

Sunshine Coast surfer Wade Goodall (Caloundra) put first heat nerves aside today to win through to the fourth round at the Billabong Pro-Teen Series at Bulli Beach, Wollongong.  Despite having trouble finding solid scores in the sometimes shifting line-up, Goodall’s ambition to win the ASP Australasian Junior Series this year was back on track after a shock first round elimination at the Pro-Teen surf event on the Gold Coast last week. 

“The last contest, I got knocked first heat so I went back to the Sunshine Coast and figured out just where I went wrong,” said Goodall.  “I really didn’t want to get knocked out again first round again, I was super nervous but pumped as well.”   

The 19-year-old joins fellow Sunshine Coaster’s Mitch Coleborn (Maroochydore) and ratings leader Wilson (Noosa) as the only Queenslander’s in the junior ratings top ten.  Currently sitting in 8th position, Goodall’s win over Jarrad Bell (Elanora), Nick McMullen (Austinmer) and Sam Wrench (Ulladulla) puts him in a strong position to jump up the ratings should he win tomorrow’s fourth round match up against Byron Bartlett (Manyana), Madison Williams (Coffs Harbour) and Brent Power (Copacabana). 

“The goal this year was consistency, and it was all going to plan until the last comp, but you drop results anyway so hopefully I can keep it going in this event and for the rest of the year,” said Goodall.  “The last two days has been one foot and pretty much un-surfable, just like the waves at home, so I think it puts me in a good position.” 

James Wood : photo Steve Robertson

Coleborn also progressed through today, but must win the event in order to take the ASP ratings lead. 

Gold Coasts Michael Levitt (Palm Beach) also moved through to the fourth round today after ousting older brother Rueben in a tight heat.  The pair have ironically faced off in the same heat together in just over a week, with this time, the younger Levitt settling the score. 

“This is the second time in that past week that I have had him in the fourth round,” said the younger Michael Levitt.  “He got me in the first comp, so it was good to get one back on him here.  I don’t really like competing against him but that’s what you have to do.” 

While Rueben will watch from the beach for the remainder of the event, Michael will now face Towner, South African Rory Beach and the Central Coasts Beau Atchison in tomorrows second last day. “At least one of us got through.  It was a fifty fifty chance of one of us making it.  It would have been insane if we both made it, but that’s the way it goes and you just have to aim for the next comp.” 

Standout surfers through to round four tomorrow include Jesse Adam (Merewether), Michael Spencer (Lake Munmorah), Tom Rudd (Avalon), Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta), Dylan Hannah (Cronulla). 

The Billabong Pro-Teen Girls will be finalised tomorrow with heats still yet to be decided this afternoon.  At time of print, ASP ratings leader Airini Mason had just progressed through to the final 16.  Joining her from the early afternoon heats was Laura Enever (Narrabeen), Ayla Whitney (Thirroul) and Pauline Ado (France).

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 : Wilson blows up at Billabong Pro-Teen Wollongong
# 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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