Day 5 of the 2016 Vissla World Junior Games is underway. Team SA have put up some stellar performances and still have 10 surfers in contention having only lost our u/18 girls, Crystal Hulett and Sophie Bell in some tricky conditions.
“Yesterday was a full on battle,” says team SA coach, Chris Bond. “I spoke to some of the surfers once they got out the water and they said they felt like they were gladiators who had just gone to war after having a free surf, so it gives you an idea of what it’s been like. But the team have been very positive and unified. They have given their all in each heat surfed.”
Team SA showing some gees as they gather round Jordy Maree after his heat win.
The u/18 boys have been posting some great scores against the stiff competition. The last two days saw Jordy Maree and Joshe Faulkner advance to the Main Round 3 whilst Bevan and Adin advanced a round only to be knocked down into the Repo rounds. They will be battling it out in the Repo Round 2 coming up today.
Jose Faulkner taking a chunk out of the Azores ocean.
Max Elkington and Sebastian Williams have progressed to the Main Round 3 and will hopefully be joined by Koby Oberholzer who will be surfing his Main Round 2 this morning. Angelo Faulkner was bumped to the Repo Round 2 and will be surfing later today for requalification in to the Main Round.
Kai Woolf was the first South African to advance to to the Main Round 3 of the competition. Kirsty McGilivray took a minor detour through the Repo Round 2 but will be joining Kai in the Main Round 3 tomorrow.
Kai Woolf and her trademark backhand slash.
“This morning it is about 4-5ft with the odd 6ft set. Solid and powerful waves! But atleast it has gone offshore today so it is more manageable. Our guys have been the standouts in some of the free surfs session so hopefully the ocean will settle down a little,” says Bond. “We have Koby coming up first, he has been looking really good in the big stuff with his laid back approach doing big turns and getting barrelled. Then we will have Adin and Bevan in the u/18 boys Repo Round 2 and will end the day with Angelo in the u/16 boys Repo Round 2.”
Ride hard Team SA! Catch them live HERE.
*All Images by ISA.
**Featured Image Surfer: Jordy Maree / ISA
