2006 Billabong Junior Series J-Bay

Surfing South Africa
Jeffreys Bay
5 - 8 August 2006

Sunshine and solid waves for start of Billabong Junior Series in J-Bay

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 August, 2006 : - - Bright sunshine, windless conditions and solid 1.5 metre (4-5 foot) waves greeted the record field of more than 235 surfers at the Point in Jeffreys Bay on the opening day of the fifth and final event in the 2006 Billabong Junior Series champions. 

After the gale-force winds, floods and devastation in the Eastern Cape over the past three days, organisers were pleased to be able to get the event underway starting with the first two rounds of the premier Pro Junior (U20) boys division. 

Kyle Galloway from East London made best use of the conditions to record both the highest single wave score, 7.25 points out of a possible 10, and the highest accumulated heat total of 13.50 to easily win his heat and advance to round three. Joske de Beer (Cape Town) and Chris Leppan (Umhlanga were the other standouts, racking up scores of 7.0 and 6.75 respectively for manoeuvre packed rides in the glassy surf. 

While the first round competitors in the Pro Junior girls’ heats battled to tame the overhead surf, 12 year-old Bianca Buitendag from George continued the excellent form that saw her reach the final of the last series event in Victoria Bay, notching up a 7.0 point ride that enabled her to progress to the second round  

The day’s competition was completed with the running of the U16 boys’ second round where J-Bay local Samuel Mabetshe took full advantage of his hometown knowledge to cruise into round three. 

The record entry has made it impossible to complete the event at one venue in the four days available and contest director Gary Gravett will be looking for an alternate venue in the area on Sunday to run the first two rounds of the U12 division while the contest continues with the other divisions at the Point.

Entrants in five age categories ranging from Pro Junior (U20) boys and girls to mixed U12, U14 and U16 divisions are chasing the coveted series titles along with more than R35 000 in event prize-money. There is an additional R35 000 in the series prize-pool, half of which is sponsored by First National Bank in the form of 6 month fixed deposit accounts, which is shared by the top three rated competitors in each division

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 series is proudly supported by FNB, who contribute 50% of the prize-pool and cover the travel costs of the four Pro Junior boys and top girl who are invited to compete in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in Australia each January; Red Bull; Capri Sun juices for those under 14; Mentos sweets; Mrs Palmers surf wax; Von Zipper eyewear; Kustom purpose built footwear; Drench hair-care products for the girls; Salt Water Girl and Zigzag magazines and Blackfoot Productions who record, produce and flight the 30 minute television show on SuperSport covering each of the five events. 

The 2006 Billabong Junior Series started in St Mikes on the KZN South Coast (February 23-26) followed by Durban (March 30-April 2), Cape Town (May 18-21) and Victoria Bay (15-18 June). The 2006 series champions will be crowned at an awards function in Jeffreys Bay on Tuesday evening, 8 August.  

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
www.billabong.com/africa

Previous reports:
# 1 : Billabong Jr Series 2006 champs to be crowned at J-Bay
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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