Billabong team rider Shaun Joubert won the Oakley Pro Junior title for the third time in as many years on Saturday to write his name into the ASP Africa record books as the first surfer to win the same event three times in succession since the local tour was inaugurated in 1988.

“That’s pretty cool and an honour when you consider how many other great surfers have competed in Pro Junior and Open events over the years,” Joubert commented when informed of his historic achievement.

The superstar from Mossel Bay, who turns 19 today, posted a stellar performance to defeat reigning ASP Africa Pro Junior Champion Chad du Toit in the final of the ASP Grade-2 rated event at Port Alfred.

Competing in outstanding 1.5 metre waves at Eastern Beach, Joubert fell behind early in the final as du Toit surged into the lead. Needing a substantial 8.25 points for the lead at the halfway point, Joubert scored exactly that on an inside wave that he worked all the way through to the inside. But du Toit regained the lead with a 7.50 before the champion clinched the title on a set wave where he used his full repertoire of high performance manoeuvres to record a near-perfect 9.5 out of 10.

“Whenever we get to surf a contest in good waves I’m sure not too many guys complain,” Joubert said of the excellent conditions, adding “I’m just happy to be back and get a good result. It was pretty obvious that Chad was the man to beat and he put me under pressure with his first seven (point ride). I blew my first two waves, so I was lucky more waves came to me.”

Having set winning the ASP Africa Pro Junior title as his main goal for 2010, Joubert’s haul of 1 500 points from the event has consolidated his lead at the top of rankings after three of the four events have been completed.

“It’s not always possible to achieve your goals, and I haven’t done the maths, but it looks like I’m well placed to achieve that goal this year, which will be great!”

He also earned an early birthday present of US $2 500 (approx. R18 750), taking his 2010 Pro Junior winnings to R37 000 after his victory in the first event of the year in Durban at Easter.

The ultra-talented teenager from the Southern Cape also placed highly in several ASP Pro Junior events in Australia earlier in the year and attended a Billabong high-performance training camp in Hawaii. On the ASP World Tour he has recorded results of 37^th and 17^th in 6-Star rated events in Tasmania and Scotland to be ranked No. 146 on the combined ASP World Rankings list with further earnings of R24 000.

“I’d like to really thank Greg Emslie (former ASP World Title contender) for looking after me in the lead-up to this event. And also Billabong and all my other sponsors for supporting me over the years, even when I wasn’t doing as well,” Joubert said.

Joubert leaves next week for Brazil where he will compete in several ASP 5 and 6-Star events during May before competing in the 6-Star event in Sri Lanka in June and the Mr Price Pro Ballito in July in an effort to boost his ASP World Ranking and make the cut-off for the ASP Prime rated events, which are held in premium venues with a restricted field, in the second half of the year.

Joubert’s Billabong team mates also fared well at Port Alfred where Australian Ryan Callinan placed third after losing to the champion in the semifinals while Dale Staples (St Francis Bay), the winner of the Billabong Pro Junior Dolphin coast on Tuesday, placed 5^th overall.

Ends

Distributed on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Contact:            Ryan Payne
Tel:                   042 200 2600
Email:               ryan.payne@billabong.co.za

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications 
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Top Australian junior surfers Ryan Callinan and Thomas Woods have arrived in South Africa to take on the cream of SA’s U20 surf stars in the Billabong Junior Series event that will be run on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal from Sunday to Tuesday, 25-27 April.

Callinan, who won the trials and went on to finish 17th in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in Sydney in January, and Woods, the former Capetonian who won the opening leg of the Open Men’s division in the Queensland State Titles last weekend, will add an international interest to the ASP Grade 1 rated Billabong Pro Junior event.

The Ozzie pair, both 17, will be up against the likes of top seeds Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay), Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga), Matt Bromley and fellow Kommetjie resident Brendon Gibbens who placed 1st through 5th respectively in the opening ASP Africa Pro Junior event in Durban over Easter.

The local quartet have all just returned from competing in Scotland and were fortunate to get back in time due to the travel chaos in Europe caused by the volcano in Iceland that has grounded all air traffic since last weekend.

They will be joined by the likes of reigning ASP Africa Pro Junior champion Chad du Toit (Durban), Eastern Cape standouts Dale & Dane Staples (St Francis Bay), Bertie Stuurman (Jeffreys Bay), Kommetjie’s Davey Brand and a host of others in chasing the US $5 000 (approx. R37 000) prize-purse plus Billabong and ASP Africa Pro Junior series ratings points and now international pride in the premier division in the event.

International campaigner and Billabong team rider Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie) heads a strong field that includes reigning ASP Africa and Billabong Junior Series champions, Sarah Baum (Athlone Park) and Bianca Buitendag (George) in the PST sanctioned Pro Junior girl’s event with the champion crowned on Monday afternoon.

A huge entry of the country’s top Under 16, U14 and U12 boys will also be in action over the three days with the contest being staged at the beach between Umhlanga and Ballito providing the best waves on each day.

All competitors will receive an SMS with the venue and start time for each day of the contest while the location and daily event updates can be accessed throughout the event via the Event Hotline at 071 179 9813.

The VonZipper Air Show where the surfer successfully completing the most innovative aerial manoeuvre earns the winner-takes-all R2 000 prize-purse, will be run after the boys finals on Tuesday.

Images, results and news will be available daily during the event at www.billabong.com and a TV documentary, produced by Silver Bullet Productions, will be broadcast post event on Vuzu – DSTV Channel 123.

The PST events in the Billabong Junior Series are sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport, while the internationally rated Pro Junior men’s event is sanctioned by ASP Africa, the regional office for ASP International.

The series is proudly supported by Von Zipper, Kustom and Nixon and fueled by Monster Energy.

The 2010 Billabong Junior Series starts on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal from 25-27 April and concludes at Victoria Bay (1-4 September) where the series champions will be crowned for the 14th time.

\ends

Issued on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Tel: 042 200 2600
Fax: 042 293 2478
Email: laureen.payne@billabong.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie, 7976 South Africa
Tel / Fax: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

The Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal between Umhlanga and Ballito will be the venue for the opening event on the 2010 Billabong Junior Series, the premier national tour for surfers aged 20 and younger, which will crown series champions for the 14th consecutive year in September.

Scheduled for Sunday to Tuesday, 25-27 April, the Dolphin Coast event will use a mobile format that takes the contest to the best waves available on each day. Breaks like Salmon Bay and Surfers in Ballito, Westbrook or Main Beach in Umhlanga have been identified as potential venues with the competitors and public notified of where the contest will be staged at 7am daily.

The event features an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade 1 Pro Junior men’s event with US $5 000 (approx. R37 000) in prize-money. There are also invaluable ratings points at stake that count towards the prestigious Billabong Junior Series title, the ASP Africa Pro Junior crown and for the four-man squad who receive coveted invitations to compete in the inaugural ASP World Junior Series that starts in Bali in October.

Alongside the men’s event are Surfing South Africa sanctioned Pro Surf Tour events for Pro Junior girls and Under 12, U14 and U16 age categories for boys that determine the series champions and count for the annual SSA PST age group titles.

Shaun Joubert, the 18 year-old standout from Mossel Bay who won the first Pro Junior men’s event of the year in Durban over Easter, heads a stellar line up that includes Billabong team mates Dale and Dane Staples (St Francis Bay), the Kommetjie pair of Matt Bromley, third in Durban, and Davey Brand and JBay local Bertie Stuurman.

Other top contenders who will be striving to overtake Joubert at the top of the 2010 rankings and pocket the Nixon 42-20 PU Watch valued at over R3000 that goes to the event winner are reigning ASP Africa Pro Junior champ Chad du Toit and fellow Durbanite Shawn Dennis, Beyrick de Vries and Devin Lane from Umhlanga and Brendon Gibbens (Kommetjie).

Billabong’s Tarryn Chudleigh returns from campaigning on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), where she reached the final in her opening event of the year in Australia, and will be the one to beat in the Pro Junior girls.

The 20 year-old from Kommetjie faces stiff opposition from 2009 Billabong Junior Series champion Bianca Buitendag (George), perennial standout Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbosstrand), Faye Zoetmulder (Port Elizabeth) and the Smith sisters, Emma and Gina, from Jeffreys Bay.

Reigning series champion Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) will be going all out to defend his U16 boy’s title from a group comprising Mikey Venter (Warner Beach), Jarred Veldhuis (Kommetjie), Diran Zakarian (Melbos) and Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay), amongst others.

Benji Brand (Kommetjie) heads a super competitive U14 boy’s field that features Dylan Wichmann (Marina da Gama), Steffen Burrows (Somerset West), Jason Harris (Scottburgh) and Dolphin Coast local Shane Sykes (Salt Rock).

The youngest division – the U12 boys – will see a shoot out between 2009 champ Jordan Maree (Kalk Bay) and Cape Town rivals Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie), Donovan Wichmann (Marina da Gama) and Jake Elkington, the Somerset West pair of Adin Masencamp and David Burrows, PE’s Matthew Hobson and Bevan Willis (Durban).

Each event in the Billabong Junior Series also features a spectacular VonZipper Air Show where the surfer successfully completing the most innovative aerial manoeuvre earns the winner-takes-all R2 000 prize-purse.

The format for the Dolphin Coast event sees the opening rounds of all divisions staged on Sunday with the Pro Junior girls champion crowned on Monday and the boys titles decided on Tuesday, along with the VZ Air Show.

All competitors will receive an SMS with the venue and start time for each day of the contest while the location and daily event updates can be accessed throughout the event via the Event Hotline at 071 179 9813.

Images, results and news will be available daily during the event at www.billabong.com and a TV documentary, produced by Silver Bullet Productions, will be broadcast post event on Vuzu – DSTV Channel 123.

The PST events in the Billabong Junior Series are sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport, while the internationally rated Pro Junior men’s event is sanctioned by ASP Africa, the regional office for ASP International.

The series is proudly supported by Von Zipper, Kustom and Nixon and fueled by Monster Energy.

Entries for the event have officially closed but there is still space for late entries in several divisions. Please contact Billabong Events & Contest Coordinator, Laureen Payne, at 042 200 2600 or laureen.payne@billabong.co.za before entering online.

The 2010 Billabong Junior Series starts on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal from 25-27 April and concludes at Victoria Bay (1-4 September) where the series champions will be crowned for the 14th time.

\ends

Issued on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Tel: 042 200 2600
Fax: 042 293 2478
Email: laureen.payne@billabong.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie, 7976 South Africa
Tel / Fax: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Billabong team rider Shaun Joubert used superior heat strategy and his patented fins free surfing ability to literally fly to victory in the opening event on the 2010 ASP Africa Pro Junior calendar – the Quiksilver Pro Junior presented by Durban and Resolution at North Beach – in Durban on Sunday.

The 18 year-old standout from Mossel Bay was unstoppable on the final day of the Grade 2 internationally rated event, dispatching Billabong teammate Dale Staples (St Francis Bay) in the quarterfinals before convincingly outscoring reigning ASP Africa Pro Junior champion Chad du Toit (Durban) in the semis to set up a highly anticipated final against Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga).

Joubert took control of the final from the outset, posting a solid 7.0 points out of 10 on his first ride in the small but rippable right-handers before slamming the door on his opponent at the death with an outstanding 8.25 that included a trademark hands free, high-flying aerial.

“It’s so great to win an event again,” said an ecstatic Joubert on the podium. “I’m surfing in all the Pro Junior events in South Africa this year, so I want to keep the momentum going from this win and hopefully get some more good results in the rest of the events.”

The win earned Joubert R19 000 and a precious 1 500 ratings points, rocketing him into the early lead in the rankings that will determine the ASP Africa representatives to compete in the inaugural ASP World Pro Junior Series starting in Bali in October.

“My main goal for the this year is to win the ASP Africa Pro Junior title and I’m also trying to make the top 100 on the WQS ratings,” explained Joubert who matriculated with a B average at the end of last year and turns 19 next month.

“I’m off to Scotland on the weekend to compete in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic, a 6-Star rated WQS event from April 13-19, then its straight back to SA for the Billabong Pro Junior Dolphin Coast that starts on 25 April.”

The super-talented surfer, who was born in Bloemfontein but has grown up and honed his surfing talent in the Southern Cape, has already had a busy start to the year, placing ninth in a Pro Junior and earning a Round of 48 finish in a WQS event in Australia after spending a week of intensive training in Hawaii with Billabong Australia team manager and coach Sasha Stocker.

Joubert’s fellow Billabong SA team riders also shone in all the categories of the Quicksilver Pro Junior event on the weekend with Matthew Bromley (Kommetjie) taking third and Dale Staples fifth in the Pro Junior division, Steven Sawyer (Jeffreys Bay) placed third in the U16 division of the King Of The Groms and Benji Brand (Kommetjie) the runner-up in the U14’s and fifth in the U16’s.

And in the Resolution Health Expression Session, Davey Brand (Kommetjie) produced the best aerial to pocket the R 1 500 Red Bull Got Wings award while Dale Staples won the Resolution Best Wave Award and R1,500 for a wave that opened up across the inside and enabled him to flare with a series of progressive manoeuvres.

Ends

Distributed on behalf of:

Billabong South Africa
Contact:            Ryan Payne
Tel:                   042 200 2600
Email:               ryan.payne@billabong.co.za

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications 
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy
Incorporating the Von Zipper Trials
North Narrabeen, Sydney, New South Wales Australia
January 9 – 17, 2010

Huscenot and Enever Take Out Billabong ASP World Junior Championships
 
NORTH NARRABEEN, New South Wales/Australia (Saturday, January 16, 2010) – Maxime Huscenot (REU), 17, and Laura Enever (AUS), 18, have claimed their respective ASP World Junior Titles, dominating the punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves on offer at North Narrabeen for the final day of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy.
 
Huscenot, who received entry into the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships as an ASP International wildcard, wowed spectators and surfers alike today, besting an in-form Jadson Andre (BRA), 19, in the hard-fought Final to claim the ASP World Junior Title.
 
“This is the biggest day of my life and it’s absolutely unbelievable,” Huscenot said. “It feels like I just won a heat, not the ASP World Title – it’s incredible. Jadson (Andre) is an amazing surfer and the whole Brazilian team rips so hard. I cannot believe it is my day. I am at a loss for words.”
 
A relative unknown at the international level prior to this year’s showdown at North Narrabeen, Huscenot bested a bevy of the world’s hottest up-and-coming surfers to take the prestigious title and emphatically announce himself as a force on the world surfing stage. 
 
“I knew I was not a big name coming here,” Huscenot said. “Jadson was the best surfer, doing massive air reverses that I cannot even dream of doing. But I just surfed the best I could and I guess the judges appreciated it. I never dreamed I would be here. I was injured in October and couldn’t surf for a month. But I trained hard and got the wildcard here and once I made it past the fourth round, I knew it was going to be a good event for me. It feels amazing to be the first Frenchman to claim the ASP World Junior Title.”
 
Andre, 2010 ASP Dream Tour rookie and the No. 1 seed into the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, was arguably one of the form surfers of the event, consistently executing mind-blowing aerials and posting excellent scores. However, the wiry goofy-footer was unable to match Huscenot’s panache in the Alley righthanders during their Final bout, finishing Runner-Up for the second year in a row.
 
“I’m disappointed to surf so well all week and fall short in the Final again,” Andre said. “The conditions were challenging and Maxime (Huscenot) was surfing very well. It’s okay though. I am happy with my performance here and am looking forward to my first year on the World Tour.”
 
Gabriel Medina (BRA), 16, the youngest competitor at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, was another Brazilian to wow in North Narrabeen. The young goofy-footer exhibited the form that garnered him praise the world over in 2009, but his electric aerial repertoire was not enough to best Andre in the Semifinals.
 
Alejo Muniz (BRA), 20, who nearly qualified for the 2010 ASP World Tour following a solid performance on the 2009 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), was a major standout in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. Despite a juggernaut run through the back half of the draw, Muniz fell to eventual winner Huscenot, finishing equal 3rd at the event.
 
While the men’s Final featured overseas powerhouses, the women’s Final had a girl directly from North Narrabeen.
 
Enever’s hometown victory came as no surprise to those who witnessed her progression through the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. The explosive natural-footer consistently posted the highest scores each round, and with the help of some massive scores courtesy of a blistering forehand attack, Enever posted an insurmountable lead in the Final against Alessa Cuizon (HAW), 16.
 
“I just wanted to go out and have fun and that’s what I did,” Enever said. “This is my home and I’m so stoked to be here with all my friends and family giving me so much support. This is the best day of my life. It’s been my dream forever to win here at home and now that I’ve done it, I’m at a loss for words.”
 
Joining such renowned past ASP World Junior Champions like Pauline Ado (FRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Nicola Atherton (AUS) and Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Enever now boasts the most prestigious accolade in junior surfing, and will hope to follow in their footsteps en route to the elite ASP Women’s World Tour.
 
“It’s been my goal to win the World Juniors since I can remember and now that I have I just want to enjoy it,” Enever said. “I just want to have fun this season. I’ll be doing the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series and start getting into the WQS events. The goal to qualify for the Dream Tour, but I just want to have fun this year.”
 
Despite surfing in her first event at North Narrabeen, Cuizon’s performance at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships was nothing short of impressive. A powerful forehand and backhand approach proved to be Cuizon’s signature offering amongst the world’s best, but the young Hawaiian was unable to find a rhythm in the Final.
 
“I’m happy with my performance and just want to thank my mom and dad and Coach Rainos (Hayes) for all the support – I couldn’t have done it without them,” Cuizon said. “It was really difficult out there this afternoon. I had a hard time in the conditions, but tried my best and I’m happy with how I went.”
 
Pauline Ado (FRA), 18, last year’s ASP World Junior Champion, failed to find her stride at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships and went down to eventual Runner-Up Cuizon, finishing equal 3rd.
 
Joanne Defay (REU), 15, relative unknown on the international stage before the event, was a surprise dark horse at North Narrabeen, taking several high-profile scalps en route to an equal 3rd place finish.
 
For making the final in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, Huscenot, Andre, Enever and Cuizon will be awarded preferred seeding on this season’s ASP WQS, given spots into the second-to-last seeded round of all ASP WQS events.
 
Highlights from the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy will be available via www.billabongpro.com
 
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
 
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL RESULTS (Men):
1 – Maxime Huscenot (REU) 14.17
2 – Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.60
 
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMIFINAL RESULTS (Men):
SF 1: Jadson Andre (BRA) 15.06 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.77
SF 2: Maxime Huscenot (REU) 15.56 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.27
 
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINAL RESULTS (Men):
QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.66 def. Clay Marzo (HAW) 1.60
QF 2: Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.27 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 12.36
QF 3: Maxime Huscenot (REU) 15.50 def. Nat Young (USA) 13.10
QF 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.73 def. Granger Larsen (HAW) 14.07
 
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL RESULTS (Women):
1 – Laura Enever (AUS) 18.33
2 – Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 11.10
 
BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMIFINAL RESULTS (Women):
SF 1: Laura Enever (AUS) 17.33 def. Joanne Defay (FRA) 9.84
SF 2: Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 14.30 vs. Pauline Ado (FRA) 8.97

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – ASP AFRICA RESULTS
Men
=9th  Casey Grant (Scottburgh)
=17th Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga)
=17th Chad du Toit (Durban)
=17th Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit)

Women
=9th Sarah Baum (Athlone Park)
=9th Bianca Buitendag (George)

PAST ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONS:
2009: Maxime Huscenot (REU), Laura Enever (AUS)
2008: Kai Barger (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)
2007: Pablo Paulino (BRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2006: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Nicola Atherton (AUS)
2005: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
2004: Pablo Paulino (BRA)
2003: Adriano de Souza (BRA)
2002: N/A
2001: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2000: Pedro Henrique (BRA)
1999: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
1998: Andy Irons (HAW)

Ends

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:  021 534 5738
Email:  colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy
Incorporating the Von Zipper Trials
North Narrabeen, Sydney, New South Wales Australia
January 9 – 17, 2010

Casey Grant places 9^th at Billabong ASP World Junior Surfing Championships 

NORTH NARRABEEN, New South Wales/Australia (Friday, January 15, 2010) – Casey Grant was the highest placed South African surfer in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy in Australia, finishing equal 9^th overall after losing his Round 4 match-up with top seed Jadson Andre (BRA). 

Andre’s spectacular aerial skills in the tiny half-metre waves at North Narrabeen saw last year’s runner-up post an impressive heat total of 18.57 out of a possible 20 points which eclipsed Grant’s total of 11.83. 

Grant, 20, from Scottburgh, defeated Luke Davis (USA) and compatriot Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) to reach Round 4, earning US $900 (approx. R6 750) for his final event in the Pro Junior division. 

 ASP Africa Pro Junior champion Chad du Toit Durban) suffered a narrow loss at the hands of Chris Friend (AUS), the final tally being 9.83 to 9.66, and Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit) was eliminated by Cory Arrambide (USA) leaving Grant the sole SA representative to advance to the last 16. 

The final eight in the quarterfinals of the world’s most prestigious event for surfers aged 20-and-under comprise three Brazilians, two Hawaiians and one each from the USA, Reunion Island and Australia. 

Maxime Huscenot (REU) caused the upset of the event when he outsurfed Owen Wright (AUS), the highly rated local favourite who many are touting as a future World Champion. 

The women’s quarterfinals were dominated by North Narrabeen local Laura Enever (AUS) who will meet Joanne Defay (FRA) in the first semi with Hawaii’s Alessa Cuizon and defending event champion Pauline Ado (FRA) contesting the second semi. 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 8am start (11pm Friday, South African time) 

Highlights from today’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy are available via www.billabongpro.com and the action will be webcast LIVE during the event. 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com 

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINAL RESULTS (Women):

QF 1: Laura Enever (AUS) 14.50 def. Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 12.33
QF 2: Joanne Defay (FRA) 8.96 def. Gabriela Leite (BRA) 5.33
QF 3: Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 12.57 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.53
QF 4: Pauline Ado (FRA) 13.60 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.57

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS (Women):

SF 1: Laura Enever (AUS) vs. Joanne Defay (FRA)
SF 2: Alessa Cuizon (HAW) vs. Pauline Ado (FRA)

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS REMAINING ROUND 3 RESULTS (Men):

Heat 13: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.47 def. Luciani Heremoana (PYF) 10.26
Heat 14: Medi Veminardi (REU) 12.16 def. Jatyr Berasaluce (ESP) 11.50
Heat 15: Granger Larsen (HAW) 15.50 def. Hiroto Arai (JPN) 7.14
Heat 16: Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 14.00 def. Albee Layer (HAW) 7.60 

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 4 RESULTS (Men):

Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.93 def. Cory Arrambide (USA) 10.03
Heat 2: Clay Marzo (HAW) 14.10 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 9.16
Heat 3: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 12.33 def. Marc Lacomare (FRA) 10.37
Heat 4: Jadson Andre (BRA) 18.70 def. Casey Grant (ZAF) 11.83
Heat 5: Maxime Huscenot (REU) 14.74 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 11.73
Heat 6: Nat Young (USA) 13.00 def. Chris Friend (AUS) 12.33
Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.50 def. Medi Veminardi (REU) 12.47
Heat 8: Granger Larsen (HAW) 13.66 def. Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 9.84 

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS (Men):

QF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Clay Marzo (HAW)
QF 2: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
QF 3: Maxime Huscenot (REU) vs. Nat Young (USA)
QF 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Granger Larsen (HAW)

Ends

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

 Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP:

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

NORTH NARRABEEN, New South Wales/Australia (Tuesday, January 12, 2010) – Reigning ASP Africa Pro Junior surfing champion Chad du Toit became the third South African to progress directly to Round 3 of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy in Australia when he won his opening heat earlier today.

Du Toit, 19, from Durban’s Berea, joins compatriots Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit) and Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) in the last 32 of the event which crowns the world’s best 20 and under surfers annually.

Organisers got Day 2 of the event underway in half metre waves that improved as the tide dropped. Round 2 of the women’s event started proceedings with the two ASP Africa girls, Sarah Baum (Athlone Park) and Bianca Buitendag (George), posting stellar performances to advance to Round 3. Baum, 15, was particularly impressive, posting the highest heat total of the entire event, men or women, of 17.0 out of a possible 20 points.

“I’m pretty stoked to beat Pauline (Ado). I feel bad for her, but I’m stoked for me and hope to continue the form I had in that last heat,” Baum commented modestly after leaving the defending event champion in a combination situation at the end of the heat.

However, both SA girls were eliminated in their next heats, Baum defeated by Malia Manuel (HAW) and Buitendag ousted by Felicity Palmateer (AUS), to finish equal 9th overall.

ASP Africa representatives Casey Grant (Scottburgh) and Kyle Lane (Umhlanga) will be in action in Round 2 of the men’s event when competition resumes. Grant is matched against Luke Davis (USA) while Lane takes on Cory Arrambide (USA).

Owen Wright (AUS) was the standout of the men’s event on Day 2, displaying unparalleled speed and projection on his backhand to post a number of high-scoring rides and advance directly into Round 3 over VZ Trials winner Ryan Callinan (AUS) and progressive phenom Clay Marzo (HAW), 20.

“The conditions are pretty tough out there but I seemed to find a couple of little sections,” Wright said. “I tried to find the ones with walls to them. My first turns were never big, but I was able to open up down the line. Thankfully no one was knocked out in that heat, but I’m glad to get it out of the way and advance straight through to Round 3.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 8am start (11pm Tuesday, South African time)

Highlights from today’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy are available via www.billabongpro.com and the action will be webcast LIVE during the event.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS REMAINING ROUND 1 RESULTS (Men):

Heat 9: Owen Wright (AUS) 15.17, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.24, Clay Marzo (HAW) 10.93
Heat 10: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.23, Made Rhondi (IDN) 12.97, Medi Veminardi (REU) 12.70
Heat 11: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 14.60, Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.30, Jatyr Berasaluce (ESP) 11.20
Heat 12: Dillon Perillo (USA) 15.93, Franklin Serpa (BRA) 13.57, Charles Martin (GLP) 12.93
Heat 13: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 13.67, Frederico Moraes (PRT) 10.43, Luke Davis (USA) 9.47
Heat 14: Chris Friend (AUS) 14.50, Cory Arrambide (USA) 14.00, Manuel Selman (CHL) 10.87
Heat 15: Chad Du Toit (ZAF) 12.87, Arashi Kato (JPN) 12.14, Cody Thompson (USA) 11.53
Heat 16: Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) 13.54, Albee Layer (HAW) 13.00, Kaito Ohashi (JPN) 11.30

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS (Men):

Heat 1: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Brent Savage (AUS)
Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Made Rhondi (IDN)
Heat 4: Granger Larsen (HAW) vs. Jocelyn Puolou (PYF)
Heat 5: Nat Young (USA) vs. Takumi Nakamura (JPN)
Heat 6: Tonino Benson (HAW) vs. Dean Bowen (AUS)
Heat 7: Kiron Jabour (HAW) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 8: Charles Martin (GLP) vs. Franklin Serpa (BRA)
Heat 9: Manuel Selman (CHL) vs. Federico Morais (PRT)
Heat 10: Clay Marzo (HAW) vs. Cody Thompson (USA)
Heat 11: Medi Veminardi (REU) vs. Kaito Ohashi (JPN)
Heat 12: Brent Reilly (USA) vs. Albee Layer (HAW)
Heat 13: Maxime Huscenot (REY) vs. Arashi Kato (JPN)
Heat 14: Kyle Lane (ZAF) vs. Cory Arrambide (USA)
Heat 15: Casey Grant (ZAF) vs. Luke Davis (USA)
Heat 16: Keito Matsuoka (JPN) vs. Jatyr Berasaluce (ESP)

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 2 RESULTS (Women):

Heat 1: Sarah Baum (ZAF) 17.00, Pauline Ado (FRA) 9.30, Susa Leal (BRA) 6.50
Heat 2: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 11.10, Nao Ohmura (JPN) 9.90, Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN) 8.30

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 3 RESULTS (Women):

Heat 1: Laura Enever (AUS) 13.40 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 9.56
Heat 2: Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 12.00 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 10.00
Heat 3: Joanne Defay (FRA) 14.50 def. Leila Hurst (HAW) 12.40
Heat 4: Gabriela Leite (BRA) 11.76 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 11.33
Heat 5: Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 14.67 def. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 11.07
Heat 6: Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.34 def. Sarah Baum (ZAF) 11.34
Heat 7: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.00 def. Alizee Arnaud (FRA) 10.77
Heat 8: Pauline Ado (FRA) 13.83 def. Nao Ohmura (JPN) 8.63

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS (Women):

QF 1: Laura Enever (AUS) vs. Felicity Palmateer (AUS)
QF 2: Joanne Defay (FRA) vs. Gabriela Leite (BRA)
QF 3: Alessa Cuizon (HAW) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Pauline Ado (FRA)

Ends

Please Note: A High resolution version of this image is available rights free for Media outlets

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: colin@aspafrica.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax: +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

NORTH NARRABEEN, New South Wales/Australia (Monday, January 11, 2010) –
South Africans Klee Strachan and Beyrick de Vries advanced directly to Round 3 of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fueled by Monster Energy by winning their opening encounters in the world’s premier event for surfers aged 20 and under.

Competing in small but contestable half metre waves at the iconic North Narrabeen beach in Sydney, Australia, Strachan (Winkelspruit) caused one of the biggest upsets on the opening day by relegating event top seed and last year’s runner-up, Jadson Andre (BRA), and Australian Brent Savage, son of former Durbanite Mike Savage, to the cutthroat Round 2 heats.

De Vries, 16, from Umhlanga, was also on fire, dispatching Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Medina and Takumi Nakamura (JPN) on his way to a berth in the last 32.

The balance of the ASP Africa representatives who competed on Day 1 of the event did not fare as well with Casey Grant (Scottburgh) and Kyle Lane (Umhlanga) both finishing in third place in their respective Round 1 match-ups, as did Sarah Baum (Athlone Park) and Bianca Buitendag (George) in the women’s event.

All four will be in action in their respective Round 2 heats when action resumes.

Reigning ASP Africa Pro Junior Champion Chad du Toit (Berea, Durban), at No. 15 the highest seed from South Africa, is yet to complete his opening clash where he will be up against Arashi Kato (JPN) and Cody Thompson (USA).

Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), 20, was the standout performer on Day 1, dissecting the running Alley right-handers at Narrabeen on his backhand to net several impressive scoring rides en route to acquiring the day’s high heat total of 14.66 out of a possible 20.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 8am start (12 midnight, Monday, South African time)

Highlights from today’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fueled by Monster Energy are available via www.billabongpro.com and the action will be webcast LIVE during the event.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 1 RESULTS (Women):
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.83, Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.43, Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN) 5.60
Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) 11.84, Leila Hurst (HAW) 9.26, Nao Ohmura (JPN) 7.20
Heat 3: Sage Erickson (USA) 11.67, Alizee Arnaud (FRA) 11.10, Susa Leal (BRA) 5.20
Heat 4: Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 12.60, Gabriela Leite (BRA) 10.83, Sarah Baum (ZAF) 7.53
Heat 5: Joanne Defay (FRA) 12.66, Alessa Cuizon (HAW) 11.20, Pauline Ado (FRA) 8.57
Heat 6: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.33, Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 8.03, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 6.93

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 1 RESULTS (Men):
Heat 1: Hiroto Arai (JPN) 11.00, Keito Matsouka (JPN) 10.20, Kiron Jabour (HAW) 7.81
Heat 2: Marco Fernandez (BRA) 14.54, Tonino Benson (HAW) 12.20, Dean Bowen (AUS) 12.00
Heat 3: Davey Cathels (AUS) 10.83, Nat Young (USA) 9.43, Casey Grant (ZAF) 8.37
Heat 4: Luciani Heremoana (PYF) 10.23, Granger Larsen (HAW) 10.10, Kyle Lane (ZAF) 8.23
Heat 5: Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 10.54, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.76, Takumi Nakamura (JPN) 7.90
Heat 6: Garrett Parkes (AUS) 13.90, Maxime Huscenot (REU) 12.00, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.87
Heat 7: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 14.66, Jocelyn Poulou (PYF) 8.17, Brent Reilly (USA) 6.43
Heat 8: Klee Strachan (ZAF) 9.10, Brent Savage (AUS) 8.83, Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.43

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS (Women):
Heat 1: Pauline Ado (FRA), Sarah Baum (ZAF), Susa Leal (BRA)
Heat 2: Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Nao Ohmura (JPN)

BILLABONG ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS REMAINING ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS (Men):
Heat 9: Owen Wright (AUS), Clay Marzo (HAW), Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 10: Alejo Muniz (BRA), Medi Veminardi (REU), Made Rhondi (IDN)
Heat 11: Stuart Kennedy (AUS), Jatyr Berasaluce (ESP), Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 12: Charles Martin (GLP), Dillon Perillo (USA), Franklin Serpa (BRA)
Heat 13: Marc Lacomare (FRA), Luke Davis (USA), Frederico Moraes (PRT)
Heat 14: Manuel Selman (CHL), Cory Arrambide (USA), Chris Friend (AUS)
Heat 15: Chad Du Toit (ZAF), Arashi Kato (JPN), Cody Thompson (USA)
Heat 16: Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU), Albee Layer (HAW), Kaito Ohashi (JPN)

Ends

Please Note: A High resolution version of this image is available rights free for Media outlets

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 021 534 5738
Email: aspafrica@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax: +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, January 5, 2010) – The world’s best junior surfers are descending upon the Sydney suburb of North Narrabeen to hunt down the most prestigious crown in junior surfing, the ASP World Junior Title, as the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships prepare to run at the famed beachbreak from January 9 – 17, 2010. 

Contesting in their respective regional ASP Pro Junior Series throughout the 2009 season, qualifiers for the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships include 48 men and 18 women from the seven ASP regions: Africa, Australasia, Europe, Japan, North America and South America. 

While the event has been held at North Narrabeen’s famed peaks for over a decade now, the ASP Australasia region hasn’t produced a men’s champion since Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, in 2001. In fact, despite having arguably the most competitive Pro Junior Series in the world and supplying the bulk of the surfers on the ASP World Tour, in the intervening six editions (the event was not run in 2002) ASP Australasia has only provided one finalist (Shaun Cansdell who lost to Adriano de Souza in 2003), one semi-finalist (Matt Wilkinson in 2006, the year South African Jordy Smith won) and a total of seven out of a possible 40 quarterfinalists!

All eyes will therefore be on Owen Wright (Lennox Head, NSW), 19, ASP Australasia’s No. 1 seed and qualifier onto the 2010 ASP Dream Tour, who will look to cap off an incredible junior career with a big result at North Narrabeen. 

“Last year (in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships), a lot of things went the wrong way for me,” Wright said of an event in which he finished equal 17th. “It will be tough since the field has a lot of the same faces from last year, but I’m looking forward to it. Narrabeen is an awesome location; the Alley rights are so puntable and the lefts are long and sometimes barreling so I hope we get it pumping this year!” 

ASP South America has been dominant at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, with Brazilians taking our four of the 10 men’s titles in the event’s history. Jadson Andre (Natal City, BRA), 19, 2010 ASP Dream Tour rookie and last year’s ASP World Junior Runner-Up, will lead the latest ASP South America squad into this season’s event. 

“I think I put in a good performance last year, but during the final I didn’t catch the best waves, Kai (Barger) was surfing very well during the event and deserved the victory,” Andre said. “This year, I know and believe all the guys competing at Narrabeen are strong and have a chance to win. All the heats are like a final, so because of this I will give 100% attention in all the heats. I have been working on my psychological, physical aspect and my surfboards. I’m going to surf well and find the best results.” 

ASP Africa will be represented by ASP Africa Pro Junior champion Chad Du Toit (Durban), Casey Grant (Scottburgh), Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit) and Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) along with Kyle Lane (Queensborough) who was the highest WQS rated Pro Junior not to finish in the top four on the local ratings.

“It’s an awesome event and all the surfers in the contest surf really well,” Strachan said. “I’ve had three years to see how the standard is. All the other SA guys can perform at world class standard on their day and every surfer who has done well at Narrabeen has made their name from it and gone on to bigger things.”

ASP North America has not fared well in Narrabeen. Despite producing formidable teams, the North Americans have yet to claim an ASP World Junior Title – a fact that Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 18, hopes to rectify in his second appearance at the prestigious event. 

“The standard of competition in this contest is crazy, every first round heat could be a Final in a normal junior contest,” Young said. “Personally, I would definitely like to do better this year. Last year was my first year in the contest and I made a couple heats so I was stoked, but this contest is so important to all the juniors because it is the biggest junior contest of the year. I think the other US guys are all great surfers and they have all had contests this year where they have shown that they are worthy of being in the World Juniors. I think this year could be a good year for the U.S.” 

Kai Barger (HAW), 20, reigning ASP World Junior Champion, has graduated beyond the ASP Pro Junior Series, but remains enthusiastic about his fellow Hawaiians in Narrabeen. 

“Looking at the Hawaii team, I think it would be sick to see Clay Marzo win, Barger said. “If he surfs anything like he has been surfing at home then he’s easily capable.” 

Barger more than understands the importance of the event, and the effect a victory there can have on someone’s career. 

“If there’s one contest to do well in, then trust me this is the one to win,” Barger said. “This contest changed my life and sometimes I still can’t believe I won there. There were a lot of nuts guys last year the surfing standard was so high. It seemed like everybody was pulling out their best.” 

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships mirrors the competition format of the ASP World Tour and is considered the sport’s “crystal ball” for aspiring champions. In addition, a Final’s placing in the tournament affords the successful surfers an unrivalled seeding on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) that serves as a springboard to the ASP World Tour. 

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com 

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com 

PAST ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONS:

2008: Kai Barger (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)
2007: Pablo Paulino (BRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2006: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Nicola Atherton (AUS)
2005: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
2004: Pablo Paulino (BRA)
2003: Adriano de Souza (BRA)
2002: N/A
2001: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2000: Pedro Henrique (BRA)
1999: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
1998: Andy Irons (HAW) 

Visit the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more. 

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

Event Media
Johnathan “JJ” Jenkins
email: jj@primemedia.com.au
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 421 384 431

Digital Photographs:

High-resolution digital images for newspapers and Internet sites are available through ASP’s photography distributution partner Getty Images. To register for access, log onto http://corporate.gettyimages.com/marketing/editorial_frontdoor/ASP/index.html
________________________________________

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

COOLANGATTA, AUSTRALIA (Tuesday, 22 December, 2009): Aussies Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore may be the toast of the surfing world having wrapped up the men’s and women’s World Titles in Hawaii, but the focus now shifts to South Africa’s fledgling junior stars to see if they can make history by claiming the world’s premier junior surfing event – the 2009 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy – due to take place at Sydney’s North Narrabeen beach over eight days beginning January 9, 2010.  

The winners will be crowned alongside Fanning and Gilmore at the ASP World Champions banquet on Queensland’s Gold Coast next February, and the South African contingent will certainly have their work cut out for them if they are to emulate the success of Jordy Smith who famously dominated the event to claim victory in 2006. 

Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit) enters the competition as one of the country’s favourites, thanks to a string of excellent results during the season and a top-4 finish in the ASP Africa Pro Junior rankings that has secured the 20 year-old a seed directly into the main event. 

“Last year I made round three but got knocked out by Julian Wilson (AUS) who is an unbelievable surfer so I was not too bummed,” said Strachan. 

“It’s an awesome event and all the surfers in the contest surf really well. I am definitely looking to do well this year. I’ve had three years to see how the standard is so I’ve been training to do well,” he added. 

Four of the country’s hottest juniors will join Strachan at North Narrabeen in the 48-man field; they include ASP Africa Pro Junior champion Chad Du Toit (Durban), Casey Grant (Scottburgh), Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) and Kyle Lane (Durban). 

This will be Strachan’s third appearance at the event. Having competed in the prestigious tournament last year when Hawaiian Kai Barger (Maui) went on to win in an all-international finals showdown versus Brazilian Jadson Andre (Natal City), he reflects on the 2009 showdown. 

“All the other SA guys are always amped to do their best and all of them can perform at world class standard on their day. Every surfer who has done well at Narrabeen has made their name from it and only gone on to bigger things and I’m pretty sure we’re each capable of going all the way and winning it,” Strachan added. 

One only has to look to Men’s ASP World Champion elect Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, QLD, AUS) however, to realize the enormity of the task at hand for the fledgling juniors. Despite having two ASP Men’s world titles to his credit, Fanning could never claim the prestigious junior crown. 

“I never got one … it’s a tough title to win,” said Fanning, whose best result was a runner-up finish to compatriot Joel Parkinson in 2001. 

“Back in the day it was really a battle between the Americans, Hawaiians and Aussies but these days there are contenders from each of the ASP regions and I think the list of recent past winners is a reflection of that.” 

Mick’s pick for 2009? Explosive 19 year-old Aussie goofy-foot, Owen Wright (Lennox Head, NSW). 

“Owen is World Champ material if you ask me. I’ve watched him evolve over the years and he’ll be the man to beat at the World Juniors for sure, provided he’s recovered from some heavy injuries suffered during the Portugal World Tour event,” said Fanning. 

Sarah Baum (Athlone Park) and Bianca Buitendag (George) will represent South Africa in among the 18-strong girls division and the super-talented teenagers have a good chance of wrestling the world’s most prestigious junior title from defending event champion, Pauline Ado of France. 

Ado last year halted the streak of wins by Australian females who have dominated the division since its inception in 2005. 

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy mirrors the competition format of the ASP World Tour and is considered the sport’s ‘crystal ball’ for aspiring champions. In addition, a finals placing in the tournament affords the successful surfers an unrivalled seeding on the World Qualifying Series that serves as a springboard to the ASP World Tour. 

Eight world regions are represented in all, including North and South America, Europe, Australasia, Africa, Japan, Hawaii and various wildcards. 

Honour roll of past winners:
Men: 1998 Andy Irons (HAW), 1999 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 2000 Pedro Henrique (BRA), 2001 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 2002 N/A, 2003 Adriano de Souza (BRA), 2004 Pablo Paulino (BRA), 2005 Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 2006 Jordy Smith (ZAF), 2007 Pablo Paulino (BRA), 2008 Kai Barger (HAW)
 
Girls: 2005 Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 2006 Nicola Atherton (AUS), 2007 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 2008 Pauline Ado (FRA)

Check out the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy at North Narrabeen via the live Internet webcast at www.billabongpro.com 

The Billabong ASP World Junior Championships is being made possible thanks to the support of MONSTER ENERGY,SONY, VW, VonZipper, VIRGIN BLUE, Warringah Council, Surfing NSW, NSW Sport & Recreation, ASL Magazine and HONDA Aquatrax. 

Ends

Additional Media Information: High-resolution digital images for media will be made available. Please contact:

Digital Photographs:

Steve Robertson
Email: steve@surfingaustralia.com
Mobile: +61(0) 407 706 874
 
Television Newsfeeds: A national TV newsfeed will be made available prior to, and on competition days throughout the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships fuelled by Monster Energy. In addition, a single international TV feed will be made available following the final.

Contacts:
Event Media
“JJ” (Johnathan Jenkins)
Email: jj@premiummedia.com.au
Int. mobile: +61 (0) 421 384 431

Billabong Australia – Communications Manager
Simon Barratt
Email: sbarratt@billabong.com.au
Int. mobile: +61 (0) 437 733 346

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Media
Dave Prodan
Email: dave@aspworldtour.com
USA mobile: +1 949 678 0987
AUS mobile: +61 (0) 400 455 228

ASP Africa Media
Paul Botha
Email: aspafricamedia@mweb.co.za
Mobile: 082 423 1964

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.