Billabong Pro Junior - Coffs Harbour

ASP Grade 1 Mens and Womens Pro Junior
Macauleys Headland, Coffs Harbour NSW Australia
14 - 18 February 2007

Lost Everything But His Form: Thieves Attempt To Derail Coleborn
Sharpe Edge: Top Seed Goes Ballistic At Coffs

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 February, 2007 : - - Macauleys Headland): IT has been one hell of a week for Sunshine Coast surfer Mitchell Coleborn (Maroochydore). Four days after winning the Billabong Pro Junior Series event on home turf, the 19-year-old has lost a swag of worldly possessions, including his contest winning “dream” board, after thieves stole his car from Duranbah Beach on the Gold Coast.

On his way to contest the fourth event of the Australasian circuit, The Billabong Pro Junior Series in Coffs Harbour which started Wednesday, Coleborn took a half way pit stop to practice at Duranbah and was fleeced of eight surfboards, his new Holden Commodore wagon, his clothes, computer, wallet, phone and other personal items.

“I went for a surf at Dbah, was walking down the track and hid my key about 50m from my car,” said Coleborn.  “I came back to where the key was and had a look around in the bush and couldn’t find it. I was with James Wood (fellow professional surfer) and he ran up to check if it was there and came back with this look on his face and I was like, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Coming down for this event I had the board which I won the contest on,” said Coleborn.  “That is probably the biggest thing that I lost, I can always get the car back through insurance but a golden board like that only comes around once in a while. “I’ve just gone from a major high to a major low in the space of four days and I didn’t talk much yesterday after it happened.”

Owen Wright : photo Surfing Australia

While his trip South was derailed by the brazen thieves, Coleborn’s surfing skill remained on target, borrowing some boards off Gold Coast world tour surfer Dean Morrison and scoring the highest heat score of the day in his opening Pro Junior clash.  “I went to see Dean Morrison and he was good enough to give me five boards to try out so if they went bad I would have some spares,” said Coleborn.  “They are going, just, but nothing like the board I had last weekend.”

Coleborn was on fire in the round three heat, scoring an 8.50 on his opening wave to set up a lead and then blowing his opponents out of the water with a near perfect 9.90 to score 18.40 out of a possible 20, the events top total to date.   Gold Coaster Brendan Leckie (Palm Beach) finished second in the heat while Billy Keen (Sawtell) and Brad King (Cabarita) were never in the hunt and eliminated.  

“I definitely caught the best waves in that heat but I am not feeling anywhere near 100% on these boards yet which is a bit of a bummer,” said Coleborn.  “It was a bit of a boost in confidence to have a win like that after yesterdays disappointment. “I’m just going to try and ride all these boards and get back into rhythm.”

ASP Australasian Junior Series leader Jayke Sharpe (Sandy Beach) is out to consolidate his reign at number one on the ratings, sending a clear message to fellow competitors on day two of the Billabong Pro Junior Series that he is there to stay. Sharpe, 19, took the lead from Julian Wilson (Coolum) last weekend on the Sunshine Coast and looks set to hold onto it after posting the second highest heat score of the event in round three.

The events top seed dominated his opening heat of competition, using two identical 9.00 rides to easily progress over Josh Johnson-Baxter (Ocean Grove), Nick McMullen (Austinmer) and Ty Watson (Currarong) in ideal 1.5m waves. “The plan was to go out and get a good middle of the road score at the start to get things going,” said Sharpe.  “I got that first nine on my second wave which made it a lot easier to go out and get another one.”

Sharpe’s blistering backhand served him perfectly at his local break, his low centre of gravity and powerful bottom to top turn combination simply impeccable and justly rewarded from the judging panel. “These are the waves I have surfed my whole life,” said Sharpe.  “I surf this beach two or three times a week so it’s easy for me to know what the waves are going to do.”

“It’s weird being at the top of the ratings because it was something I never though I would be able to do. “I’m not really feeling the pressure, I’m just stoked to be there and making the most of it.” Northern Rivers surfer Laurie Towner (Angourie) also stayed true to form, winning through to round four from his opening match.  

Coming off a well fought second placing at the Billabong Pro Junior on the Sunshine Coast, the 19-year-old used smart surfing tactics to outpoint Shaun Howe (Kalbarri), Thomas Stubbs (Maroochydore) and Jamie Nicholson (Brunswick Heads). Starting strongly with a 7.25 ride, the lanky natural footer waited patiently for a back up score for over 10 minutes before finding a decent left-hand set and securing the heat victory with an 8.50.

“I was just being patient and waiting for a good one,” said Towner.  “I knew one would come because there was just so many great looking waves out there.” Towner knows the pressure associated with leading the series after sitting atop of the ratings for a large part of 2006.  Despite failing to win the eventual ASP Australasian title Towner is back into the top ten for the first time this year and hell bent on staying there.

“There are a lot of good surfers still on this series and if you look at the top ten there are some serious names in there,” said Towner.  “There are definitely going to be a few guys who are doing well in every event this year and contending for that Australasian title and I want to be one of them.”

“Jayke is surfing really well, I watched his heat from the water and he got a couple of nines,” said Towner.  “He’s surfing so well at the moment, he has improved a lot and he’s starting to get a pretty solid competition head on him.” South Coast hot-shot Owen Wright (Culburra) returned home from the Caroline Islands just in time to surf his first heat of competition, and didn’t let the travel time slow him down, flying through to round four with a hard win.

Wright was invited to compete in an ASP Specialty event that saw him face off against six other international juniors.  Winning the international challenge boosted the 16-year-old confidence sky high and it showed today, fighting back from second position to win the heat over Carl Wright (Phillip Island), Storm Hosking (Burleigh Heads) and Nick Colby (Suffolk Park).

Wright was forced to play catch up for much of the 20-minute exchange after his Victorian opponent Carl Wright (no relation) opened with a 9.50, the events top wave score.  Sitting in second, Wrights trademark frontside fin throws came through in the end, an 8.90 on his second last ride enough to see him steal the win.

“I love surfing long lefts like these,” said Wright.  “I was a bit rattled when they read out the 9.50 for Carl but I knew if I could sit off the point and wait for one of the sets I wouldn’t be too far behind. I saw a few sets breaking out there just before I paddled out so I guess it paid off to sit out there.”

Wright praised the addition of Coffs Harbour to the Pro Junior schedule after being rewarded with epic waves for the second day running.  The Pro Junior Series has been plagued by inconsistent surf for the best part of two years.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Wright.  “If you have had an event at the same place for a few years and it hasn’t turned on then it makes sense to move it.”  20-year-old Tweed Coast surfer Chris “Chippa” Wilson threw out one of the biggest frontside aerials ever seen in Pro Junior competition to win through to round four.  

After posting the highest heat score of round two on Wednesday, Wilson defeated former under 18 Australian champion Tim Wrench (Ulladulla), Dale Lovelock (Warana) and Jack Davis (Alexandra Headland). The Billabong Pro Junior Series is supported by Vodafone, Panasonic, UV Triplegard, Clearasil, Von Zipper, Kustom, Surfing NSW and the Coffs Harbour City Council.  

About The Billabong Pro Junior Series
Developed in the early 1990’s as a platform for young surfers aiming to become professionals, the $75,000 Billabong Pro Junior Series is the country’s longest standing and richest domestic junior surfing circuit.  The five event series, open to aspiring male and female surfers aged 20-years and under, will comprise half of the overall ASP Australasian circuit, which culminates in the crowning of the ASP World Junior Champion at North Narrabeen each year.  

For the first time in its history, the Billabong Pro Junior Series will this year stop at the new locations of Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast and Coffs Harbour on the NSW Mid North Coast.  

2007 Billabong Junior Series
$13,000 Billabong Pro Junior Sunshine Coast, February 6 to 11
$13,000 Billabong Pro Junior Coffs Harbour, February 14 to 18
$13,000 Billabong Pro Junior Raglan, March 29 to 31
$13,000 Billabong Pro Junior Wollongong, September 13 to 16
$23,000 Billabong Pro Junior Bells, September 26 to 30

Previous reports:
# 1 : Billabong Pro Jr at Coffs Harbour kicks off in solid surf
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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