2006 Billabong Junior Series J-Bay

Surfing South Africa
Jeffreys Bay
5 - 8 August 2006

Ideal Weather But Small Waves for Billabong Junior Series at J-Bay

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 August, 2006 : - - For the third day in succession those attending the final event in the 2006 Billabong Junior Series experienced warm sunshine and light winds but the surf dropped to half a metre (1-2 foot) at the point in Jeffreys Bay on Monday. 

With conditions favouring the smaller and lighter competitors, and bigger surf predicted for the final day of the event on Tuesday, organisers elected to run only one round of the premier Pro Junior (U20) boys division, leaving 32 competitors still in contention, including the top 14 seeds and two wildcards. 

The likes of U14 competitors Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) and Davey Brand (Kommetjie) and U16’s Dale Staples (St Francis Bay) and Haydn MacNicol (Scottburgh) took full advantage of the situation to win their respective heats, as did Brian Palmboom (Port Shepstone), Justin Grey (Cape St Francis), Josh Salie (Kommetjie) and Dane Monks (EL). 

The top three seeds in the Pro Junior girls stayed on track for the finals with Nikita Robb (EL) winning her quarter-final heat while reigning series champ and closest rival Tammy-Lee Smith (Salt Rock, KZN) advanced in second place behind Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand) and Tarryn Chudleigh (Scarborough, CT) was runner-up to diminutive 12 year-old rising star Sarah Baum (Athlone Park, KZN). 

Two rounds of the super competitive U16 division were run with returning heroes Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay) and Matthew Bromley (Kommetjie) arriving just in time for their quarter-final encounters after finishing third and fifth respectively in the international King of the Groms event in France. 

Joubert fully justified his top seeding by cruising to victory and moving into the semis while Bromley, who only arrived 20 minutes before the start of his heat and without his surfboards after they were lost in transit, paddled out on borrowed equipment and was eliminated when he placed third behind fellow Kommetjie resident Brendon Gibbens and Phillip Visagie (Melkbos). 

Chad du Toit (Durban) and Dale Staples kept alive their hopes of clinching the U16 series crown, or at least a share of R35 000 in the series prize-pool that is distributed to the top three in the yearend rankings in each division, by winning their respective quarter-final heats. 

The intense battle for the coveted U14 series title continues into the last day of the 2006 season. After the shock elimination of ratings leader Michael February on Sunday, second seed Beyrick de Vries earned a psychological advantage when he defeated title rival Devin Lane in their quarter-final match-up. 

The Umhlanga duo meet again in the second semi while February will be watching with bated breath as only victory in this event by one of these two will be enough to wrest the title from him. 

Local knowledge of Jeffreys Bay point was the key in the U12 semis with locals Dylan Lightfoot and Steven Sawyer winning their respective heats and advancing to the final of the youngest division along with second placed Kommetjie pair of series champion elect Max Armstrong and Benji Brand. 

The final day of the 10th annual Billabong Junior Series will also feature the spectacular Von Zipper Air Show where competitors cut loose and try to successfully complete aerial manoeuvres with a substantial R1 800 winner-takes-all cheque at stake. 

Each event in the series also offers the Zigzag Performance Award of a replica hand grenade trophy and R1 000 to the surfer who ‘blows up’ during the contest while the Best Kustomised Manoeuvre award of R500 and a pair of Kustom purpose built footwear goes to the best manoeuvre performed by a local girl and boy. 

The 2006 Billabong Junior Series champions in U12, U14, U16 and Pro Junior boys and girls’ divisions will be announce at an awards function at the Reef Bar in Jeffreys Bay on Tuesday evening. 

Sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, with the Pro Junior divisions also sanctioned by ASP Africa, the series is proudly supported by FNB; 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).

www.billabong.com
www.billabong.com/africa

Previous reports:
# 1 : Billabong Jr Series 2006 champs to be crowned at J-Bay
# 2 : Solid waves for start of Billabong Junior Series in J-Bay
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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