INDONESIA — The Oakley World Pro Junior Bali hit the water at Echo Beach, Canggu Monday in rippable 3 foot (1.5 meter) surf. Performance levels went through the roof as all the surfers were eager to establish themselves as frontrunners
INDONESIA — The Oakley World Pro Junior Bali hit the water at Echo Beach, Canggu Monday in rippable 3 foot (1.5 meter) surf. Performance levels went through the roof as all the surfers were eager to establish themselves as frontrunners for the 2011 ASP World Junior Title. Stop No. 1 of 3 on the ASP World Junior Tour, the Oakley World Pro Junior Bali plays a crucial role in determining the ASP World Junior Champions.
Dean Bowen (AUS) opened the day with a close win in an all Australian affair against Garrett Parkes (AUS) and Noa Deane (AUS). All three surfers are capable of busting out big moves, but it was Bowen who came up with the win to advance directly into Round 3.
“I’ve been competing against Garrett (Parkes) for years, I knew I had a tough task in that heat,” Bowen said. “I really wanted to win that and skip Round 2 because that’s where I lost last year. I had a mediocre year this year, I had some injuries and I missed out on qualifying for this event by one spot. ASP gave me a wildcard, I’m really fortunate to have it and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Kaito Ohashi (JPN) kept the goofy-footer roll going, backside bashing the lip all the way to a heat win and a spot in the Round 3. It was a nervous wait at the end of the heat as Marco Fernandez (BRA) caught a wave only needing a minor score, both surfers were on the beach when it was announced that he came up short.
“My English isn’t very great,” Ohashi said. “But I’m so happy to get that win. The waves here are very different from home, but they are so much fun!”
Kiron Jabour (HAW) took out one of the closest heats of the day, defeating William Aliotti (FRA) by 0.07. The heat came down to the last minute with both surfers catching waves, tagging them all the way to the beach, but it was Jabour who made the most of what was on offer.
“The whole heat I was trying to figure out which waves were good,” Jabour said. “That was the first time I’ve surfed here on the low tide. Towards the end I needed a 7.17 and William (Aliotti) got the first wave, but I got the second one and mine lined up better and I got the win.”
Davey Cathels (AUS) put his year’s worth of experience on the ASP Prime and Star Series to good work when the wind changed and went onshore in the afternoon. Cathels left his fellow competitors Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) and Matt Banting (AUS) in his wake, amassing the highest heat total of the day – 17.66 (out of a possible 20).
“I was pretty excited to get out there on the rights,” Cathels said. “I was happy to get a few punt sections! Here at Canggu is great for airs, but if we move over to Keramas it will be more about the barrels and turns when you come out, and I’m ready for both.”
Caio Ibelli (BRA) who finished 3rd at last year’s Oakley World Pro Junior Bali had a tough start to his opening heat, not managing a score over 5.50 in his first 11 waves. Ibelli came good right at the end though, blasting his fins free and power carves all the way to an 8.50 and a 7.27 (out of a possible 10) in the last five minutes.
“I tried a lot in my heat, I caught so many waves,” Ibelli said. “But I saved the best for last, I’m so stoked with my 8.50. My boards feel really good I don’t know what was going wrong early in the heat. I was really nervous. I love Keramas barrels, so I’m excited if we go there tomorrow.”
Conner Coffin (USA) finished the day with a massive upset, defeating last year’s Oakley World Pro Junior Bali Champion, Jack Freestone (AUS) in a see-sawing battle. The lead changed multiple times throughout the heat, with Coffin getting the nod for his powerhouse carves.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a heat against Jack (Freestone) before,” Coffin said. “It was super fun, there was no hassling, we were just taking turns on waves. It was sick! We’re friends and there’s no hard feelings, he came up and high-fived me afterwards, and that’s the way I like to compete.”
Competition was called off for the day after Heat 8 with strong onshore winds making conditions too difficult. A call will be made at 9am tomorrow at the primary event site Keramas due to an expected increase in swell.
The Oakley World Pro Junior Bali will run from October 3 – 14. Watch the LIVE webcast at www.oakleyprojunior.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
MEN’S ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Dean Bowen (AUS) 15.10, Garrett Parkes (AUS) 14.10, Noa Deane (AUS) 5.23
Heat 2: Kaito Ohashi (JPN) 13.00, Marco Fernandez (BRA) 12.44, Slade Prestwich (ZAF) 7.90
Heat 3: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 14.23, William Aliotti (FRA) 14.16, Joao Abreu (BRA) 11.33
Heat 4: Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 14.74, Thomas Woods (AUS) 13.17, Gustavo Machado (BRA) 7.60
Heat 5: Davey Cathels (AUS) 17.66, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 13.83, Matt Banting (AUS) 12.33
Heat 6: Dylan Goodale (HAW) 15.03, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.47, Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 10.16
Heat 7: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 15.77, Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 13.77, Deivid Silva (BRA) 10.94
Heat 8: Conner Coffin (USA) 16.53, Jack Freestone (AUS) 15.57, Ida Bagus Putu Simarai (IDN) 9.36
WOMEN’S ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Sarah Mason (NZL) 13.50, Ren Hashimoto (JPN) 4.47, Diah Dewi Rahayu (IDN) 3.84
Heat 2: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 14.50, Leila Hurst (HAW) 9.50, Juliana Meneghel (BRA) 5.83
OAKLEY WORLD PRO JUNIOR WOMEN’S ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
HEAT 1: Sarah Mason (NZL) vs. Gabriela Leite (BRA)
HEAT 2: Dimity Stoyle (AUS) vs. Leila Hurst (HAW)
HEAT 3: Faye Zoetmulder (ZAF) vs. Nao Omura (JPN)
HEAT 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) vs. Alessa Quizon (HAW)
HEAT 5: Felicity Palmateer (AUS) vs. Lani Doherty (HAW)
HEAT 6: Joanne Defay (FRA) vs. Maude Le Car (FRA)
HEAT 7: Philippa Anderson (AUS) vs. Quincy Davis (USA)
HEAT 8: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Ren Hashimoto (JPN)
