Billabong Junior Pro In memory of Ronnie Burns

ASP Grade 2 Men's Pro Junior Event
ASP Grade 1 Women's Pro Junior Event
Sunset Beah Oahu
4 - 10 October 2008

Billabong Junior Pro In memory of Ronnie Burns kicks off

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 4 October, 2008 : - - Day one of the Billabong Junior Pro at Sunset Beach in memory of Ronnie Burns was a success!   With almost 60 of the states top juniors turning out, the show at the world class venue was one of excellence.   With some shifty Hawaiian style 5 footers moving around in the bay early morning, the competitors had a very large playing field on their hands. 

Sunset is about having some waterman skills under your belt, and the point tested the kids with positioning, selection, and ultimately being able to hit back at waves that hit harder than you do...

As the afternoon progressed the surfed groomed itself with the  trade winds.  A few young hopefuls made their mark and secured their place on the final day of competition that will be held between October 27th and November 10th in conjunction with the infamous XCEL Pro.  

Alex Smith, Makana Elogram, and Keale Chun smashed through 2 rounds to get their shot at the top seeds.  Last years finalists John John Florence and Mason Ho managed to put their local knowledge to work.  Then ASP World Junior ranked number two, Tonino Benson, did what he needed to secure his spot with some lethal backhand. In the tricky conditions, the youngsters of Makai McNamara, Isaiah Moniz, and Kaimana Jaquias showed ocean knowledge beyond their years. 

With instincts no doubt passed down from their fathers, these three pushed forward with hard hitting tactics and focus.  Isaiah who is 14 said, " It is a great experience to be out there with the guys under 20, I just focused on myself and doing the best that I could do."

A beautiful lunch for all competitors was provided by Billabong and Waimea Falls Grill.  The lifeguards, police officers and water patrol on hand all enjoyed the action at the beach and in the water. Photos and video were the prime focus of Mike Latronic and Freesurf ag as well as Beatty Depolito for Wahine Blue. After the dust and food settled, The ladies hit the water.

A hard charge by Missy Valdez, Hana Harrison, and Alicia Gonzalves was stopped by some future world title hopefuls.  Alessa Quizon, Coco Ho, Leila Hurst and Carissa Moore have sealed the deal.  Leila Hurst said, " This years Jr. Pro at Sunset was fun and rippable.  All the girls were on fire."  These four are the event finalists and rightfully so as they were the top seeds coming into the event. 

The finals will determine which two will ultimately take the top two spots to represent Hawaii at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in Australia this January 2009.  Coco is 17, but the rest are just 15.  Even though these four are young, tey are the future. And all are great bets to eventually win the Junior World Title.  The two that make it out of this bunch will represent incredibly!

A big mahalos to Hawaii's ASP and Faith Wenzell as well as Wendell Aoki and his gang for helping to make it all possible. Condolences go out to Tina Sterling and the Burns Family.  Tina was the fiancee of Ronnie Burns at the time of his passing.  It was nice to have her stop by and give the event her blessing.  Ronnie was by far one of the north shores finest competitors and big wave riders.  At Pipeline he had become the very best, period.  Just ask Gerry.

www.billabong.com

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Jim Kempton

Junior Contests - Surfersvilllage