Semi-finalists and finalists were determined in pumping waves on day 4 of the of the Billabong SA Junior Champs presented by BOS at Jeffreys Bay. Point continued to present the ultimate canvas for the country’s best juniors to show their full repertoire of manoeuvres. Glassy conditions hit a slight bump with a puff on onshore only to smooth out again towards the end of the day. Each division was given a go in the epic conditions.
Another day of perfect and consistent waves. © Ian Thurtell
The u/13 boys’ division began the day with their quarter-finals early in the morning, the clean 1-2 metre waves appeared double overhead in comparison to their small frames. The young men went on to surf their semifinals later on in the day, the finals will see an a very equal match up with James Ribbink (ETK), Luke Thompson (ETK), Mitch Du Preez (BC) and Daniel Emslie (BC).
James Ribbink floats an end section. © AVG
“The waves were great out there. Going into the final I don’t really focus on who I am going to be surfing against, I just focus on my own performance,” said Ribbink, who competed in a short wetsuit despite the cold water temperature. “I didn’t find it that cold, and anyway I hate wearing a full suit, I’m from Durban.”
After a semi-final victory and still holding the highest heat score in her u/13 girls division, Kayla Nogueira (ETK) is a strong contender for the crown. Lhea Johnston (BC), Jessie Powell (Ugu) and Zoe Steyn (BC) advanced to finals and will be looking to give Kayla a run for her money.
Kayla Nogueira setting up on a glassy wall. © AVG
Summer Sutton (CTS) and Julia Plougmann (CTS) grabbed the top two places in the first U15 girls’ semi-final, upsetting eThekweni top seed Olivia Izzard in the process. In the the next semi-final Kai Woolf (NMB) and Gabi Lailvaux (ETK) secured their spot in the finals.
Kai Woolf with an Occy bottom turn. © AVG
The u/15 boys saw several of the top dogs fall at the hand of the dark horses as Tide Lee Ireland (ETK), Saxton Randal (ETK) and Luke Slipjpen (CTS) bowed out in the quarter-finals.
The semi-finals will feature York Van Jaarsveldt (CTS), Karl Steen (ETK), Ryan Lightfoot (NMB) and Dillon Hendricks (NMB) in Heat 1 while the second semi will be a match-up between Max Elkington (CTS) and Manoa Robb (CTS), Thomas Lindhorst (BC) and the event standout, Angelo Faulkner (NMBS).
Karl Steen has been looking smooth and solid. © AVG
The U17 girls’ quarter-finals produced excellent surfing with Kirsty McGillivray (NMB), Taghiti Gericke (EDEN), Sophie Bell (ETK) and Anna Jellema Butler (CTS) snagging the win in their respective heats. They will come up against the Cape Winelands’ pair of Natasha van Greunen and Sarah Ingram along with Nina Harmse (Eden) and Danica Stockigt (BC) in the semis.
JBay local Kirsty McGIllivray looking fierce. © AVG
After the elimination of SA U20 boys’ champion Ethan Fletcher (CTS) and the withdrawal of tope seed Sebastian Williams (NMB), the prized U17 boys’ crown will be a showdown between Adin Masencamp (CW), Koby Oberholzer (ETK), Calvin Goor (ETK), Luke Malherbe (BC), Liam De Villiers (Uthungulu), Ford Van Jaarsveldt (CTS), Joshe Faulkner (NMB) and Rewaldo Abersalie (NMB). Each semi-final is so stacked that it is a final in itself as all the boys have been dropping excellent scores.
The consistent Adin Masencamp is a name don’t want to see in your heat draw. © Ian Thurtell
On the final day the winning team will awarded the Freedom Cup and each division will crown new champions. The event also hosts a number of specialty awards totalling more than R15 000 for both surfers and their teams. These include the Billabong / Bad Billy’s Tag Team Paddle Battle, BOS Highest Heat Score, VonZipper Airshow and the Skullcandy Stay Loud Team Spirit awards. The Surfing South Africa PST Champions in age divisions from U10 to U18 will be announced at the awards ceremony after the event prize-giving has been completed.
Surf hard groms!
*Featured Image By: Ian Thurtell / Surfer: Mitch Du Preez
Ford Van Jaarsveldt put on a stellar performance in his semi-final. © Ian Thurtell
Joshe Faulkner knows what time it is in JBay. © Ian Thurtell
Luke Thompson and a micro grom hack. © AVG
Zoe Steyn looking to snap it back into the pocket. © AVG
