Wildcard T.J. Barron of Hawai’i defeated fellow Hawaiian Jamie O’Brien and Rahtu Suargita (Bali) in their opening match. The 17-year-old then helped Rahtu rescue a swimmer in trouble as they were exiting the lineup. The action took place on the
Wildcard T.J. Barron of Hawai’i defeated fellow Hawaiian Jamie O’Brien and Rahtu Suargita (Bali) in their opening match. The 17-year-old then helped Rahtu rescue a swimmer in trouble as they were exiting the lineup.
The action took place on the opening day of the Billabong World Junior Championships on New Year’s Day in Sydney, Australia.
The Billabong World Junior Championships are the ideal springboard to a successful surfing career. Previous winners include reigning two-time ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) champion Andy Irons (Kaua’i, Haw) in 1998, and world #5 Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, Aus) in both 1999 and then again in 2001. Brazilian Pedro Henrique won the 2000 event at Makaha, Hawai’i.
High stakes are on offer with total prizemoney of US$45,000 and the prestigious ASP world junior title up for grabs. The top two placed surfers will also receive huge career boosts by being granted round of 96 berths in the World Qualifying Super Series (WQS) that commences in 2004 for surfers trying to qualify for the elite World Championship Tour (WCT).
Opening day scores can be found on page B2.
