On Paper, Team SA Finish Eighth at ISA World Junior Champs

On paper, the SA Junior Team’s eighth place at the 2014 Vissla ISA World Junior Champs in Ecuador is not an amazing result, but the crew gave it their all and there were still some standout individual performances that flew the flag high.

For instance, Under 16 Boys competitor, Joshe Faulkner, was still in with a chance at a Gold medal on the final day. Also, Max Armstrong defeated the reigning ISA Under 18 Boys World Champ on Day 5, which is a major accomplishment.

Team Captain, Max Armstrong, lead from the front when he defeated the reigning champ on Day 5.

Finishing sixth overall, Joshe Faulkner was SA’s top surfer at the ISA World Junior Champs.

Travelling to the event was J-Bay local Joshe Faulkner’s first time on an aeroplane, ever. He’ll be travelling home with a lot more people paying attention to his surfing. The tall, humble goofyfooter ripped his way to sixth place overall in the Boys Under 16 division – making him SA’s best surfer at the event.

Ntando Msibi was a recipient of an ISA Scholarship, which means he’ll be able to keep learning and shredding.

So although we once again finished one spot below Japan, the team will go home having grown as future stars and having learned a lot about what it is like to compete on the biggest stage in Junior surfing. Soon, some will be joining the Open ranks – where South Africa are still the reigning champs – an event wiser and ready to represent.

Check out www.isawjsc.com for all the results, highlights and news from the 2014 Vissla ISA World Junior Surfing Champs.

Overall Team Results:
1. Hawaii- 21,168
2. France – 20,872
3. Australia – 20,628
4. USA- 18,418
5. Brazil – 17,426
6. Peru – 15,062
7. Japan – 14,820
8. South Africa – 14,618
9. Portugal – 13,852
10. New Zealand – 13,474
11. Costa Rica – 12,252
12. Argentina – 11,866
13. Ecuador – 10,766
14. Venezuela – 10,740
15. Great Britain – 9,393
16. Uruguay – 7,959
17. Germany – 7,834
18. Chile – 7,554
19. Barbados – 7,548
20. Mexico – 7,034
21. Tahiti – 5,630
22. Puerto Rico – 4,260
23. Wales – 3,600
24. Guatemala – 3,552
25. Italy – 2,440
26. Canada – 1,800
27. Ireland – 1,500
28. Austria – 1,200
29. Switzerland – 1,056
30. Trinidad & Tobago – 960
31. Russia – 960
32. Sweden – 480

Boys Under-18:
Luan Wood (BRA), Gold Medal
Elivelton Santos (BRA), Silver Medal
Lucca Mesina (PER), Bronze Medal
Imai DeVault (HAW), Copper Medal

Girls Under-18:
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Gold Medal
Kim Veteau (FRA), Silver Medal
Tia Blanco (USA), Bronze Medal
Leilani McGonagle (CRI), Copper Medal

Boys Under-16:
Leo-Paul Etienne (FRA), Gold Medal
Joe Van Dijk (AUS), Silver Medal
Nolan Rapoza (USA), Bronze Medal
Griffin Colapinto (USA), Copper Medal

Girls Under-16:
Mahina Maeda (HAW), Gold Medal
Leilani McGonagle (CRI), Silver Medal
Laura Poncini (AUS), Bronze Medal
Maddie Peterson (USA), Copper Medal

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Team SA’s Individual Final Standings:

Under 18 Boys:
Max Armstrong – 25th
Shane Sykes – 25th
Steffen Burrows – 31st
Ntando Msibi – 43rd

Under 18 Girls:
Teal Hogg – 16th
Chanelle Botha – 22nd

Under 16 Boys:
Joshe Faulkner – 6th
Jordan Maree – 25th
Ethan Fletcher – 25th
Adin Masencamp – 43rd

Under 16 Girls:
Cana Foster – 22nd
Ruth Armstrong – 25th