2006 Billabong Junior Series

Surfing South Africa
Victoria Bay
15 - 19 June

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 June, 2006 : - - A rapidly rising swell, bright sunshine and windless conditions combined with a quality field of the country’s top junior surfers to produce a spectacular display of high performance surfing on day three of the Billabong Junior Series event at Vic Bay on Saturday. 

In waves that reached two metres (6 foot), with occasional sets closing out across the narrow bay, the premier Pro Junior boys’ division set to work with a vengeance. The highlight was the round of 32 heat between reigning series and ASP Africa champion Brandon Jackson, wildcard Jordy Smith, current ratings leader Damien Fahrenfort, all from Durban, and U16 star Matthew Bromley (Kommetjie). 

Fahrenfort, winner of two series events already this year, was on fire – selecting the best waves, putting his board on edge as he powered off the bottom of the overhead waves an pushing his fins out of the back of the wave as he re-entered off the top – to rack up a pair of excellent 7.5 point rides and the heat win. 

Fellow WQS campaigner and Billabong team rider Smith replied with his patented repertoire of innovative manoeuvres for an 8.0, the highest ride of the heat, but could only add a 6.0 to that for second place and a spot in the next round.  Despite his best efforts Jackson ended third and Bromley was denied any of the best waves by his more experienced opponents to place fourth. 

Josh Redman (Durban) was another to shine with his power surfing in the overhead conditions resulting in a creased board as well as damage to his replacement board, but he still secured the heat victory. Others through to the last 16 include heat winners Josch Schmeltzer (Westville), Brandon Roberts (Sun Valley, CT), Rory Beach (Durban) and top seed Keegan Nel (East London, who finished second behind wildcard Klee Strachan (Amanzimtoti). 

Outstanding performances also came from U16 stars Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) and Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), both of whom won two heats in the Pro Junior division and their quarter-final encounters in the U16’s with red hot surfing. 

The Pro Junior girls quarters went largely to the seeds with the top four – Nikita Robb and Rosanne Hodge (both East London), Tammy-Lee Smith (Salt Rock) and Tarryn Chudleigh (Scarborough, CT) – all advancing to the last eight where they will take on national team member Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand) and youngsters Bianca Buitendag (George), Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) and 12 year-old standout Sarah Baum (Athlone Park, KZN). 

Bromley and Haydn MacNicol (Scottburgh) finished first and second in the first of the U16 quarters, with top seed Chad du Toit (Durban) and Kyle Galloway (East London) going through to the semis from the second, Joubert and an impressive Daniel Mace (Kommetjie) from the third and Staples and Brendon Gibbens (Kommetjie from the fourth. 

Michael February was the standout of the U14 boys’ quarters, displaying a maturity of surfing way beyond his 13 years on the waves peeling down the Vic Bay point to advance to Sunday’s semis along with the other heat winners Dane Staples (St Francis Bay), Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) and Davey Brand (Kommetjie). 

Sunday’s program sees the semi-finals and finals of all the divisions, including the U12 boys who did not compete on Saturday, along with the Von Zipper Air Show with its R1 800 winner-takes-all reward for the surfer completing the best aerial manoeuvre. 

The series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport. The U20 boys and girls’ divisions are also sanctioned by ASP Africa with the ratings points counting towards the yearend Pro Surf Tour (PST) Pro Junior crowns. 

The 2006 Billabong Junior Series is proudly supported by FNB; Red Bull; Capri Sun; Mentos sweets; Mrs Palmers; Drench; Salt Water Girl; Zigzag and Blackfoot Productions.

For further information on the series and a host of other interesting aspects of South African surfing visit www.billabong.com/africa where top performers are profiled.

www.billabong.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : Damien Fahrenfort leads ratings of Billabong Jr Series
# 2 : Fast facts for event # 4 of Billabong Jr. Series, Vic Bay
# 3 : Great start for Billabong Junior Series at Vic Bay, S.Afr
# 4 : Girls light up grey day at Vic Bay Billabong Junior Series 

More African Surfing News available here
Check the latest Africa Surf Reports and Forecasts

New! Get the latest news with Surfersvillage News-Alerts

Billabong South Africa
E. laureen@billabong.co.za

Life's a Beach Communications

Junior Contests - Surfersvillage