Billabong Pro Junior Series

ASP Australasian Junior Series
Bells Beach, Victoria
2 - 6 October 2007

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc 

Final Billabong Pro Junior Series to Decide World Junior Title Contenders

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 September, 2007 : - - It may be Footy Finals time in Australia but the nation's top U/20 surfers are facing their own shot at glory in the deciding 2007 Billabong Pro Junior Series event at Bells Beach, Victoria next week. The eleventh and final 2007 ASP Australasian junior event will determine the remaining four men and two women to qualify for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships at North Narrabeen in January 2008.  
 
The Sunshine Coast's MITCH COLEBORN (Maroochydore) is already a massive threat for the worlds most prestigious junior crown, securing his berth in the Narrabeen line-up by claiming the 2007 ASP Australasian Title at Sydney's junior event last weekend. The 20 year-old, goofy footer has reigned supreme on the ratings since his win at Coffs Harbour in February and now cannot be surpassed heading into the final event.
 
In all, COLEBORN has won four of this year's ten ASP Australasian junior contests and is determined to cap off his sensational season with victory at Bells. "I've secured the series and now I'll focus on Bells and try and finish the year on a really big note," said Coleborn.
 
With the 7A rated event offering additional ratings points due to the increase in prize-money to $20000, all top ten ranked surfers are in contention to qualify for the ASP world juniors. The Bells Beach event winner and the top four rated surfers on the end of year rankings will make the cut for Narrabeen.
 
Current no.2 ranked surfer HEATH JOSKE (Numbucca Heads, NSW) knows that it will be no easy task with a red-hot field of surfers vying for the highest stakes on offer in Australasian junior surfing. "It's very important for me to qualify for the world juniors but I just have to focus on each heat as it comes and hopefully still be standing in the final," said Joske.
 
"There are so many great surfers on the junior series this year and every heat is a hard one especially when you go up against Mitch (Coleborn)." "He seems to never be phased and just powers through every heat and every contest. He is just super consistent and very rarely loses. You have to bring your best to beat him," added Joske.
 
Other surfers out for one of the three spots remaining in the world juniors include current no.3 ranked junior JULIAN WILSON (Coolum, Sunshine Coast QLD), no.4 BEAU ATCHINSON (Copacabana, NSW), no.5 JAYHE SHAPRE (Sandy Beach, NSW), no.6 BRENDAN LECKIE (Palm Beach, QLD), no.7 PARRISH BYRNE (Wollongong, NSW), no.8 ASHLEY KING (Ulludulla, NSW), no.9 NICK RILEY (Fairlight, NSW) and no.10 OWEN WRIGHT (Culburra, NSW).
 
Surfing's wonder-girl SALLY FITZGIBBONS (Gerroa, NSW) is in the box seat for the ASP Australasian Girls title which will be decided at the Billabong Pro Junior Series event at Bells Beach. Defending ASP Australasian champion and current no.2 ranked AIRNI MASON ( New Zealand) is the only surfer who can stop Fitzgibbons but will have to be at her best to win back to back titles.
 
"I will have to win down at Bells for a shot at the title," said Mason. "I'm really excited and geared up for this last event but it will be tough as all the girls will be heading down to Bells all fired up," added Mason. The ultimate event will be staged from Tuesday October 2 nd to Saturday October 6th along the Torquay coastline with the world famous venue of Bells Beach being the preferred contest site.

Featuring $20,000 in prize money for the junior men's and $3,000 for the junior girls along with a field of 160 guys and 32 girls of Australia's and the worlds best under 20 aged surfers. The Billabong Pro Junior Series is supported by Coca Cola, Panasonic, UV Triplegard, Clearasil, Von Zipper, Kustom, MTV and Surfing Vcitoria.  

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.  

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, October 2nd  to 6th.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Steven Robertson

ASP Contests - Surfersvillage