With yesterday’s epic run of swell having dropped off somewhat, it was a slower start this morning for competitors on Day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series Presented by Bos. However, much to everyone’s delight the morning sickness didn’t last long with conditions soon glassing off. By lunchtime, Magnatubes was producing perfect three foot lines for the groms to get busy in.
Magnatubes working off the morning sickness and lining up for the start of Day 2.
First to hit the water was Round 1 of the U14 Girls and local girl Kai Woolf was on top form, being the only one in her division to tally up a two-figure heat total (11.0) in the tricky conditions. Kai, along with Kelly Medley, Tayla De Coning, Kelly Fenton, Gabi Lailvaux and Kayla Nogueira will be advancing to the semi finals scheduled for tomorrow.
Some early morning rock dodging as the girls get the first heat of the day underway.
The U20 Women’s division also kicked off today, with local top seed Gina Smith setting the standard early on with an excellent 8.0 in the first heat of Round 1. Nicole Pallet, although not scoring the highest heat total, showed exceptional power and style and will also definitely be one of the favourites to keep an eye out on as the comp continues. Also advancing from the U20 Women’s division is Crystal Hulett, Olivia Brand, Teal Hogg, Chanelle Botha, Nina Harmse and Anna Jellema-Butler.
Nicole Pallet, getting busy during Round 1 of the Under 20 Girls division.
With conditions much smaller than yesterday, there was an opportunity for the U14 Boys division to get underway, who had a field day in head high waves compliments of their grom-like stature. Other than learning that most of their favourite superhero is Batman (thanks to some in-depth commentary by Kai Linder and Dutchie), we also learnt that these groms can shred! Local boy Angelo Faulkner took to the air during his Heat 4 of Round 1, earning an excellent 8.0 which he then backed up with another solid 7.0 to claim the heat win – as well as the highest heat total of his division. Other standouts who won their heats included Hout Bay local Luke Slijpen, Julien Zens, Eli Beukes, Ryan Lightfoot, Jannik Bouwer, Karl Steen and Saxton Randall. Also advancing is Max Elkington, Bryce Du Preez, Nathan Spalding, Sam Bennie, Christian Venter, Alex Townsend, James Ribbink and Dillan Hendricks.
Saxton Randall shredded his way to a first place finish in the opening heat of the U14 Boys.
Next to hit the water was Round 1 of the Under 12 Boys, with things getting a lot tougher after having to deal with the late afternoon onshore that picked up as the heats progressed. That didn’t stop Mitch Du Preez from scoring an early lead with an excellent 8.0 and sealing the deal with another solid 6.25 ride which earned him the highest heat total of the round (14.25). Hot on his tail was James Ribbink who will also be advancing to the Under 12 boys semi finals along with Christian Venter, Kye McGregor, Brayden Bergset and Nathan Spalding.
Bryce Du Preez cruising into second place while Karl Steen took the win for Round 1, Heat 2 of the Under 14 Boys.
The final round of the day saw the Under 16 Girls take to the water in challenging, onshore conditions to complete the quarter finals. Competing above her class, Kai Woolf exceeded expectations by scoring an excellent 8.0 backed by a 5.0, claiming the rounds highest heat total and a place in the semis. Joining Kai in the semi finals, after advancing through Round 1 earlier on in the day was Olivia Izzard, local girl Kirsty McGillivray, Nina Harmse, Natasha Van Greunen, Courtney Sim, Anna Jellema-Butler and Danica Stockigt.
Despite a solid effort, Salt Rock’s Jade Mets was unable to advance after placing third in her Round 1, Heat 2 match-up.
With the wind coming from the south west and the swell a bit down from today, the next call will be made at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
Read full press release below for more details.
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Press release
For immediate release
14 July 2015
Another Brilliant Day For The Billabong Junior Series Presented By BOS Event 1
Crystal Hulett in action @Ian Thurtell
Magnatubes – Perfect lines greeted the junior surfers at Magnatubes for day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS event. With the slightly smaller surf on tap, the contest organisers decided to run with the U14 Girls round 1. Early standouts in this competitive division were Kai Woolf, Tayla De Coning and Gabi Lailvaux with Kai using her local knowledge to make the most of the conditions on her backhand. This was followed by the U16 girls round 1 and standouts here included Zoe Smith, Kelly Medley and Kayla Noguiera.
In the improving conditions on the high tide, the U20 Women were sent out for their round 1 heat, and Gina Smith, Nicole Pallet, Olivia Brand and Crystal Hulett were impressive.
Gina Smith, on her backhand, was a standout as the wind backed off with the low tide. She won the opening U20 heat in fine style scoring an 8.0 right off the bat.
“It was definitely very rippable,” she commented afterward. “There were a few fast ones that would leave you behind, but some really nice runners you just had to be smart with wave selection.” She believes local knowledge definitely played a part in that first wave. “I know that second peak often works and I had been watching, so I was happy to get that one,” she said, adding however that on days with tricky conditions like today, it’s a pretty level playing field. “On low tide it is so shifty that it is anyone’s game,” she said.
Crystal Hulett from St Francis also surfed a clever heat to edge out Teal Hogg. “It’s dropped a lot since yesterday,” she said, “but they’re definitely easier to drop in on and there is more of a ride on offer.” Hulett explained how she and Teal Hogg paddled each other quite far up the point to gain the inside position. “I kind of redirected myself back down the point and that helped me get the scores I needed.”
In the Boys U14 round 1, heat winners included Saxton Randall (Durban), Karl Steen (Morningside), Jannik Bouwer (JBay), Angelo Faulkner (JBay), Ryan Lightfoot (JBay) and Eli Beukes (Kommetjie) amongst others. “My strategy was just to impress the judges,” said Faulkner on his heat win, adding “So I’m happy with how it went.”
“It was another great day here at Magnatubes,” said Billabong South Africa marketing manager Chad D’Arcy. “The forecast for the rest of the waiting period looks a bit tricky, but we should most likely be surfing tomorrow. We will reconvene here at Magnatubes in the morning to assess the conditions and make a call.”
Video highlights from day 1 can be found here www.youtube.com/watch
Results can be found here surfingsouthafrica.tumblr.com
The Billabong Junior Series Presented By BOS is part of the JBay Winterfest – www.jbaywinterfest.com – a multi-sports and music festival in Jeffreys Bay.
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There are a number of specialty prizes in this tournament. The winners of each division will win a Nixon Rhythm Tide Watch valued at R1,500. The BOS Surfer of the Contest, for the most impressive surfer at the event, will win R1,000. The Zigzag Stepping Up Award of R2,000 is for the surfer who makes it furthest outside of his or her age division.
The DaKine Highest Heat Score is for the highest heat score of the event, and the winner will receive a DaKine Hamper valued at R5,000. The Kinetic Racing Fins Best Carve award for the best carve of the event is a Kinetic Racing Fin hamper valued at R3,000. There is also a VonZipper Air Show and the winner will receive R2,000 and a VZ product hamper for the best air.
The tournament has both Pro Surf Tour (PST) and World Surf League (WSL) Pro Junior rated events, with valuable points and prize money up for grabs.
The Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa. Surfing South Africa is a member of the South African Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and is recognised by the Dept. Of Sport and Recreation as the national governing body for surfing.
Imagery and video content from this event can be found on the various Billabong Social Media platforms.
Facebook
Billabong South Africa www.facebook.com/Billabong.South.Africa
Billabong Womens South Africa: www.facebook.com/BillabongWomensSA
Twitter
Billabong South Africa twitter.com/@billabongsa
Billabong Womens South Africa: twitter.com/@bbwomens_za
Instagram
Billabong South Africa – @BillabongSA
Billabong Womens South Africa – @Billabongwomens_za
For more details contact Chad D’Arcy
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t. – 079 519 5990
e.
e. – chad.darcy@billabong.co.za
or Grant Beck
e.
e. – grant.beck@billabong.co.za
t. – 079 332 9434
For media queries contact
Craig Jarvis
e. info@craigjarvis.co.za
t. 082 376 4443
High resolution images available for media outlets on request.
