The Quiksilver & Roxy J-Bay Junior Pro Wrap

While the surf world was honed in on the pro’s paddling out at Supertubes, this weekend also saw some of the best junior surfers in the country taking on waves just south of Supers. The Quiksilver J-Bay Junior Pro and the Roxy J-Bay Junior Pro took place between 8-10 July, where the surfers shredded 3-4 foot surf at Magnas, another world-class right hand point break.

Although not as pumping as the J-Bay Open stands, the venue allowed for some extremely explosive and competitive surfing throughout the three-day period. The Junior Pro event, which catered for boys and girls under the age of eighteen, was part of the 2016 J-Bay Winterfest which runs until the 17th of July offering a number of sporting and cultural gigs in Jeffrey’s Bay with the J-Bay Open of Surfing as its main attraction.

Quiksilver’s Sales and Marketing Manager Dane Patterson was pretty stoked with the way things went: “We really enjoyed being able to put this event on during Winterfest this year, it’s the best time to be in J-Bay. The juniors were stoked to be surfing great waves here and also being able to watch the world’s best surfers out at Supertubes for the J-Bay Open.”

Cape Town’s Jordy Maree (Kalk Bay) won the under 18 division at the inaugural event this year. Maree was on top form throughout the event posting numerous excellent scores and proved to be unstoppable in the final. His powerful backhand attack was appreciated by the spectators and judges alike. Maree finished ahead of talented natural footer Bevan Willis (Salt Rock), Adin Masencamp (Strand) and Luke Sljpen (Llandudno, Cape Town) rounded up the final in third and fourth place respectively.

In the girls under 18 division Crystal Hulett from St Francis Bay pulled out all the stops late in the final to narrowly edge out an on-form Zoe McDougall of Hawaii. Local girl Kai Woolf had a great event posting some impressive scores but could only manage a third place in the testing afternoon conditions. Danica Stockigt from East London finished in fourth place.

There was always going to be one winner in the boys under 16 division, Sebastian Williams (Durban) was a major standout with his progressive surfing and big heat total scores. Williams finished as a comfortable winner with Angelo Faulkner (Jeffreys Bay), Luke Sljpen (Llandudno) and Saxton Randall in second, third and fourth place respectively.

The Hawaiian Zoe McDougall found some form in the girls under 16 division and put some big powerful turns together to impress the judges. McDougall claimed the division title ahead of other top surfers Kai Woolf and Kirsty McGillivray (Jeffreys Bay). Snenhlanhlana Makhubu (Durban) was surfing up a division and did well to finish up in fourth place.

In the under 14 final East London’s Mitch Du Preez managed to execute two solid manoeuvres in the dying seconds of the final to get the score he needed to pip Aya Gericke (Wilderness) for the win. Manoa Robb (Kommetjie) and Reilly Mare (East London) battled to to find the waves they needed and were relegated to third and fourth place.

Gabi Lailvaux (Westbrook) adapted nicely to the deteriorating conditions and used her strong backhand attack to clinch the girls under 14 final. Kayla Nogueira (Durban), also on her backhand, surfed well throughout the event finishing a respectable second place with Kelly Fenton (Jeffreys Bay) and Snenhlanhlana Makhubu placing third and fourth.

In the boys under 12 division, young shredder Daniel Emslie, nephew to former WCT surfer Greg Emslie, was the surfer on point, controlling the final from start to finish. Christian Venter from Melkbosstrand surfed well to secure second place while Alex Townsend (Kommetjie) and Brad Scott (Hout Bay) ended up third and fourth respectively.

The Quiksilver and Roxy J-Bay Junior Pro events were proudly supported by Skullcandy, Red Bull, Gunslinger and Island Style. The event was a 3A PST-rated Surfing South Africa event with a total of R22 000 in prize money as well as some amazing prizes on offer. For more info on the Junior Pro click HERE. For more information on J-Bay’s Winterfest click HERE.

*Lead Image: Jordy Maree takes the crown of the 2016 Quiksilver Junior Pro. All Images © Luke Patterson