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WSL HAWAII/TAHITI NUI TO WRAP 2017/’18 WINTER SURF SEASON AT PIPELINE

21/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26147584

World Surf League

WSL HAWAII/TAHITI NUI TO WRAP 2017/’18 WINTER SURF SEASON AT PIPELINE
- KAUAI'S GABRIELA BRYAN HEADS INTO WAHINE PIPE PRO AS REGIONAL FRONTRUNNER
- PIPE PRO JUNIOR TO SEE TOP HAWAII ATHLETES COMPETE AGAINST SEVEN OTHER COUNTRIES

Caption: WSL Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Junior rankings leader Wyatt McHale (HAW) finished in the Semifinals at last year's Pipe Pro Junior.
Credit: © WSL / Freesurf / Heff

Please be advised, that any audio visual or image attached or accessed by link through this email (“Content”) are for news and editorial use only described under the “License Terms” below. 

Haleiwa, Oahu/HAWAII – (Tuesday, March 20, 2018 ) -- The World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region has just returned from French Polynesia, where it completed a series of five different competitive events, and now opens a new event window for the Pipe Pro Junior and Wahine Pipe Pro from April 27 – March 3. A Men’s Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000 and Women’s QS 1,000, the two divisions will count toward regional rankings for 2018 and see top placing surfers one step closer to a sought-after spot in the 2018 World Junior Championships.

Fresh off a win at the Papara Pro Vahine Open Tahiti and runner-up at the Papara Pro Junior, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) heads into the Wahine Pipe Pro as the top seed. The Kauai native also won the Sunset Pro Junior in January and now leads both the Women’s QS and Women’s Pro Junior rankings in the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region.

“I had a list of goals this year and both of them got ticked off,” Bryan said following her Papara Pro Vahine Open win. “One of my goals was to win a Pro Junior, one of them was to win a QS. I’ve just been working really hard so it’s cool to finally have all the hard work pay off.”

Following the Wahine Pipe Pro, Bryan plans to compete in a few more QS events around the world to maintain momentum, then head into the Pro Junior at Turtle Bay this October with a focused desire to win.


Bryan's committed approach is what earned her a win at the Sunset Pro Junior and Papara Pro Open Vahine this year. Image: WSL/Freesurf/Heff

“Hopefully at the Turtle Bay Resort Pro Junior I can claim the regional title for the Junior division and go to Worlds, that would be really awesome,” Bryan said. “Heading into that final Pro Junior of the year, my goal is to obviously win and come out on top for the overall rankings.”

The Pipe Pro Junior will feature a 48-man field with athletes like Dwight Pastrana (PRI), 17, traveling from as far as Puerto Rico to compete. The other countries represented in the competition include French Polynesia, Australia, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica and Japan.

Leading the Men’s Pro Junior regional rankings is 16-year-old Wyatt McHale (HAW), who finaled at both the Sunset Pro Junior in January and the Papara Pro Junior last week.

“I’m pretty stoked to be consistent and hopefully get one more good result before the end of the year,” said McHale following his second-place finish at the Papara Pro Junior. “I definitely want to qualify for World Juniors and if I could win the region that would be awesome too, but main goal is World Juniors.”

Defending event winner and 2017 Regional Junior Champion Barron Mamiya (HAW) will return to Hawaii after a successful stint in Australia that saw him earn runner-up at the Burton Automotive Pro QS 6,000 and surf the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro. Currently in the No. 5 spot on the International QS rankings, Mamiya is the highest rated athlete from Hawaii for potential Championship Tour (CT) qualification in 2019.


Last year's Pipe Pro Junior winner, Mamiya returns to defend his title in his final year as a Junior. Image: WSL/Freesurf/Keoki

Also entered in the men’s draw is Finn McGill (HAW), 17, who earned a win at the first Pro Junior event of the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season. He sits only 275 points below McHale on the regional rankings and will be a fierce contender at Pipeline, given his prowess at the world-famous break. A proven winner at Pipe, McGill won the 2016 Pipe Invitational against an incredibly stacked field of veterans to receive a spot into the Billabong Pipe Masters, the final WSL Men’s CT stop of the year.

The QS Women and Junior Men will have the opportunity to surf Pipeline with only a few other competitors in the lineup, a rare occasion considering the popularity of the perfect, barreling wave. The eight-day holding period will feature two full days of competition with a 48-man field for the Junior Men and a 16-man field for the Women's QS.

Fans can visit WorldSurfLeague.com for live scoring during the Wahine Pipe Pro and Pipe Pro Junior, or check out the event pages for highlights, images and more. The two events conclude the  WSL's competitive winter surf season on Oahu’s North Shore and athletes will reconvene in October for the Turtle Bay Resort Pro events to reactivate alongside the swells.
PAPARA PRO TAHITI COMPLETES MEN’S AND WOMEN'S ROUND 1, ROBERT GRILHO EARNS NEAR-PERFECT 9.50

PAPARA PRO TAHITI COMPLETES MEN’S AND WOMEN'S ROUND 1, ROBERT GRILHO EARNS NEAR-PERFECT 9.50

14/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26072552

World Surf League

PAPARA PRO TAHITI COMPLETES MEN’S AND WOMEN'S ROUND 1, ROBERT GRILHO EARNS
NEAR-PERFECT 9.50  
- HIGHEST HEAT TOTAL PRODUCED BY PAPARA LOCAL HIRA TERIINATOOFA
- DEFENDING EVENT WINNER ARIIHOE TEFAAFANA ADVANCES IN FIRST 

Caption: Robert Grilho blasting off the top for a 9.50. Credit: © WSL / Rolland

 
Location:      Papara, Taharuu, Tahiti                                      
Event window:   March 11 - 16
Rating:   Men's and Women's QS 1,000
Conditions:   SSW, 2-4ft. waves, light offshore winds

Link to high-res images: https://wdrv.it/180e0a7e6

Please be advised, that any audio visual or image attached or accessed by link through this email (“Content”) are for news and editorial use only described under the “License Terms” below. 
 
PAPARA, Tahiti, French Polynesia – (Tuesday, March 13, 2018) -- The World Surf League (WSL) Papara Pro Men’s Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 event began today with multiple excellent scores tallied from Hawaii and Tahitian surfers, following an exciting Final day that crowned two Pro Junior winners yesterday at the Papara Pro Junior. The day’s top ride, a 9.50, went to 14-year-old Robert Grilho (HAW) for powerful rail-to-rail top turn combinations, while Tahitian powerhouse Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF) earned the next single best score, a 9.35 for a rapid series of explosive, backside turns.

The Men’s division was called on in peaky 2-4ft. surf at the black sand beach of Papara and the competition was narrowed down to 32 surfers, all eager for the QS win and a jump in the WSL Hawaii/Tahiti Nui regional ratings. Grilho set the standard for high-scoring rides in Heat 4 against recent Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro winner Sheldon Paishon (HAW), Eala Stewart (HAW) and Zac Hedemann (HAW) with a series of aggressive vertical attacks.

“I was just comfortable, my home break is really similar to Papara,” said Grilho who hails from Kapolei, Oahu and surfs White Plains regularly.  “If I did fall it wouldn’t really matter because I already had two solid waves, so I was just surfing how I surf and I got a 9.”

Grilho had an 8.25 and 7.50 in his scoreline, so after dropping a 9.5 he increased his lead on fellow competitors to combo the field. Nearly 40 waves were ridden in the heat, a testament to the contestable conditions, and Grilho advanced into Round 2 along with Paishon. Currently in the No. 3 spot on the regional rankings after his victory last week, Paishon displayed critical, committed surfing for a 7.55 and 7.50 from judges.


Sheldon Paishon hooking it to the next round. Image: WSL/Rolland

The final heat of Men’s Round 1 highlighted the lightning quick surfing of Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF), who lives five minutes from Papara and is a known standout at the beach break, along with the famed reef break of Teahupo‘o on Tahiti. Teriinatoofa’s backside turns garnered an excellent 9.35, which he backed up with an 8.50 for the highest combined heat total of the event, a 17.85.

“I have local knowledge so I know the waves and I know when it’s like this it’s really tricky, so I was playing with the priority,” said Teriinatoofa. “Once I have no priority I just paddle for anything and try to get some waves, try and build my scores and the 9 came at the right moment so I’m stoked.”


An in-form Teriinatoofa uses local knowledge to post the highest heat total of the day. Image: WSL/Rolland

Teriinatoofa has coached two surfers to success here at Papara – Vahine Fierro (FRA), who took home a win in 2016 at the Papara Pro Junior Vahine and Kauli Vaast (FRA), who was victorious at yesterday’s Papara Pro Junior Men’s division, along with standout surfer Eliott Napias (PYF). Teriinatoofa will go against Vaast in Round 2 once the event resumes and said it is important to remember that they are competitors in the water but first and foremost friends on land.

Defending event winner Ariihoe Tefaafana (PYF) nailed a solid 8.0 for text book style technique on a driving bottom turn into an air reverse in Round One Heat 9. His approach was confident and powerful, and the Papara local now moves into Round 2 where he will meet Cole Alves (HAW), Matahi Drollet (PYF) and Stellio Bobet (PYF).

“I have a little bit of pressure (as defending event winner), I was stressing a little bit to be honest,” said Tefaafana. “But I know I feel good and feel confident at home, I just had to pick the right waves and do my job and I did it.”

The Tahitian competed in the last two QS 6,000’s, the Burton Automotive Pro and Vissla Sydney Surf Pro and plans to travel to Japan for the Ichinomiya Chiba Open in May followed by a string of events in Europe. Last year he qualified for his very first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, a prestigious event that takes place along the North Shore of Oahu from November 12 – December 8, and hopes to make his way to Hawaii again this winter for another opportunity.


Tefaafana shows a professional style approach to capture the heat win. Image: WSL/Rolland

“It was my first Triple Crown and it was such a new experience for me,” said Tefaafana. “I had never really surfed there in contests and I learned more than anything else. It was a real lesson for me to go there and I can’t wait to go again. This is the main goal and maybe to be in the top 100 for the QS 10,000’s next year, but first to win the contest and then get into the Triple Crown for sure.”

This year has seen the return of Maui’s Ian Gentil (HAW) to competition, who posted a strong runner-up result at the opening QS of the region, the Sunset Open Men’s QS 1,000. With stylish frontside surfing, the 22-year-old advanced in first from Round One Heat 7 against Logan Bediamol (HAW), Eli Hanneman (HAW) and Makai McNamara (HAW).

“Papara is standard QS waves, it’s what everyone is used to surfing and I just want to get a result and surf some of the other reef breaks while I’m here,” said Gentil. “Tahiti is really fun outside of the contest. I wasn’t expecting to get what we got at Rangiroa and I was so excited; my first heat I got so many waves that by the second heat I was tired and I had already surfed for four hours before then.”

Gentil was a strong contender at the Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro last week after posting a 9.00 and 9.25 in Round 1, however was ousted from the competition by 0.15 points in Round 2 by McNamara. His ultimate goal for competing this year is to qualify for the Vans Triple Crown.


Ian Gentil flairs back into QS competition. Image: WSL/Rolland

“I kind of just stopped surfing for a little while because I did it for a long time while I was pretty young, and I just got sick of it,” Gentil said in a candid post-heat interview. “Now I’m back surfing and having fun, going on these trips to compete, but I think of it as a surf trip, especially in Tahiti, and that makes it fun for me. Having to go through the learning process of starting something fresh is a life lesson and it’s a humbling thing to do and I’m trying to just apply what I’ve learned off-season to the QS.”

The Papara Pro Vahine women’s division saw two heats complete before a tropical storm forced event organizers to call the event off for the day. The highest single wave score was produced by 3x SUP World Surfing Champion Izzi Gomez (USA), an 8.25 for a combination of manuevers on one of the better waves of the afternoon.

Also advancing out of Round 1 from the women’s QS 1,000 was Aelan Vaast (PYF), Heimiti Fierro (PYF) and Ariana Shewry (NZL).

The contest will likely resume tomorrow morning after contest organizers assess conditions around 7:00am local time. The women will hit the water first for Round 2, followed by Men’s Round 2 and 3 and capping off the day with the women’s Quarterfinals finishing around 4:15pm.Live scoring is available on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app, along with highlights, photos and more.

The Papara Pro Open features four different divisions including a Men's and Women's QS 1,000 and a Men's and Women's Pro Junior, and has a holding period of March 11 - 16. Live scoring will be available on WorldSurfLeague.com and the Papara Pro event pages, and the final day of competition will be broadcast LIVE by Polynesie 1re at http://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/polynesie/. 
 
 
RESULTS
Athletes listed in first through fourth, all surfers from Hawaii unless otherwise noted.

Women’s Round 2 (Round of 24), 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd = 9th place, 4th = 13th place
H1: Aelan Vaast (PYF), Heimiti Fierro (PYF), Gillian McKenzie
H2: Izzi Gomez (USA), Ariana Shewry (NZL), Kai Corrie

Men’s Round 1 (Round of 64), 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd = 33rd place, 4th = 49th place
H1: Cole Alves, Lahiki Minamishin, Makai McNamara
H2: Michael O’Shaughnessy, Ulualoha Napeahi, David Dandois (PYF), Eimeo Czermak (PYF)
H3: Ocean Macedo, Kainehe Hunt, Levi Young, Luke Shepardson
H4: Robert Grilho, Sheldon Paishon, Eala Stewart, Zac Hedemann
H5: Mateia Hiquily (PYF), Christopher Bluthardt, Erwan Figuri (PYF), Edrick Baldwin
H6: Noah Hill (USA), Brodi Sale, Chris Foster, Andrew Wojcik (USA)
H7: Ian Gentil, Logan Bediamol, Elijah Hanneman, Landon McNamara
H8: Noa Mizuno, Wyatt McHale, Sage Tutterow, Gavin Hogan
H9: Ariihoe Tefaafana (PYF), Vehiatua Prunier (PYF), Ryder Guest
H10: Eliott Napias (PYF), Tereva David (PYF), Taylor Hutchinson (NZL), Ariimoana David (PYF) - NS
H11: Shayden Pacarro, Matahi Drollet (PYF), Kala Willard, Remi Mallet (PYF)
H12: Turo Ariitu (PYF), Stellio Bobet (PYF), Kekoa Cazimero, Kuio Young
H13: O’Neill Massin (PYF), Heifara Tahutini (PYF), Makana Pang
H14: Maxime Ratia (PYF), Joey Johnston, Kai Lenny, Eli Olson
H15: Kauli Vaast (FRA), Heremoana Luciani (PYF), Isaac Stant, Clement Guertener (FRA)
H16: Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF), Taumata Puhetini (PYF), Kalani Rivero, Dylan Franzmann
READ MORE
ESPINHO SET TO LAUNCH EUROPEAN LONGBOARD AND JUNIOR SERIES

ESPINHO SET TO LAUNCH EUROPEAN LONGBOARD AND JUNIOR SERIES

14/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26070331

World Surf League

ESPINHO SET TO LAUNCH EUROPEAN LONGBOARD AND JUNIOR SERIES 
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Vahine Fierro (PYF) captured the win in Espinho last year and went on to win the prestigious World Junior Championships.
Credit: © WSL / Lodin

PRAIA DE BAIA, Espinho - Portugal (Tuesday, March 13, 2018) — The Longboard Pro Espinho and Junior Pro Espinho are set to launch our European Longboard and Junior Qualifying Series in Northern Portugal. 

Longboarders will start their season first, from Friday to Sunday, March 16-18 and re-kindle the exciting battles of last year, led by the Delpero brothers Antoine and Edouard in the men’s, and multi European Champion Alice Lemoigne in the women’s.

With three events currently on the cards for 2018, each and every performance will count towards the regional title and the region’s top athletes will need to fend off newcomers and perennial threats to assert their rank on the European ladder.

Juniors will then take control of the lineup next week from Wednesday to Sunday, March 21-25for their opening event of the season as well. Reigning European champion Kauli Vaast will lead the field into this exciting new season with a lot of the top surfers graduating to the QS class, opening the door for new talents to shine.

The dynamic coastal town of Espinho has welcomed WSL competitions for the past four years and graced us with great conditions. The beautiful central beach break, located right in the city’s heart also allowed large crowds to come discover professional surfing in a friendly environment.

The Longboard Pro Espinho is scheduled from March 16-18, 2018 and the Junior Pro Espinho from March 21-25, 2018 in Espinho, Portugal. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com. 

The Junior and Longboard Pro Espinho are organized by GPDESIGN Brand Communication and Câmara Municipal de Espinho, sponsored by Camara Municipal de Espinho and Suported by Castros Iluminações, Hotels GroupM Espinho, PraiaGolfe Hotel, Padaria Pepim, Comercial Tec, CP-Comboios de Portugal, Greencoast Surfschool,  with media partners: RTP, FuelTV, Porto Canal, MegaHits, Surftotal, BeachCam, and SurfPortugal among others, official forecaster Magicseaweed.
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KAULI VAAST AND LEILA RICCOBUANO TAKE HOME FIRST WINS AT PAPARA PRO JUNIOR IN TAHITI

KAULI VAAST AND LEILA RICCOBUANO TAKE HOME FIRST WINS AT PAPARA PRO JUNIOR IN TAHITI

13/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26062429

World Surf League

KAULI VAAST AND LEILA RICCOBUANO TAKE HOME FIRST WINS AT PAPARA PRO JUNIOR IN TAHITI 
- WYATT MCHALE LEADS REGIONAL JUNIOR RATINGS AFTER RUNNER UP FINISH
- KAUAI'S GABRIELA BRYAN EARNS 9.0 IN FINAL

Caption: Papara Pro Junior winners Kauli Vaast (FRA) and Leila Riccobuano (PYF) during the awards ceremony at Taharuu Beach. Credit: © WSL / Lienard

 
Location:      Papara, Taharuu, Tahiti                                      
Event window:   March 11 - 16
Rating:   Men's QS 1,000
Conditions:   SSE, 3-4ft. waves, light winds

Link to high-res images: https://wdrv.it/3a5597b8e

Please be advised, that any audio visual or image attached or accessed by link through this email (“Content”) are for news and editorial use only described under the “License Terms” below. 
 
PAPARA, Tahiti, French Polynesia – (Monday, March 12, 2018) -- Kauli Vaast (FRA) and Leila Riccobuano (HAW) were victorious today at the Papara Pro Junior, each taking home their very first professional wins over formidable Hawaii finalists. A World Surf League (WSL) Men’s and Women’s Pro Junior, the event will count toward regional rankings for the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region - the ultimate goal being a slot into the 2018 World Junior Championships. The win also bodes well momentum-wise for the pair as they head into the Men’s and Women’s Papara Pro Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000, which begins tomorrow.

Vaast and Riccobuano both displayed smart surfing from start to finish and confident approaches in the shifting lineup, powering through ten hours of competition in 3-4ft surf at Papara. A Tahitian standout, Vaast had to dramatically change his approach to succeed at the beach break, since his home break of Teahupo‘o features heaving barrels over razor-sharp reef. His versatility – from powerful turns to progressive airs – is what landed him today’s win.

“Feels good because the conditions were hard and I am happy to win,” said Vaast. “I live in Teahupo‘o so I surf only the reef, so when I came here it was not like Teahupo‘o, it’s hard and I’m happy to win on this beach break. When I started the contest I was thinking, ‘I just want to pass my first heat,’ and when I came in the Final I was like, ‘okay I just want to surf,’ and I got two good waves and I won. I work really hard with my dad, he helps me surf everywhere, Hira (Teriinatoofa), he coaches me sometimes here. Thank you to my sponsor and my family and everyone for this contest.”


Vaast's quick surfing and backhand attack was a true standout from today's competition. Image: WSL/Thomas

The Men’s Final opened with the second-highest score of the heat, a 7.75 from Vaast, who unleashed a series of maneuvers on his backhand and claimed an early lead. But with a flurry of waves gracing the lineup, there was plenty of scoring opportunities for the other three finalists and Noah Hill (USA) opened his campaign with his two best rides of the 25-minute heat, a 5.50 and 6.65. Hill, the 2016 Papara Pro Junior winner, tallied up scores and battled Vaast for first place. The two international surfers traded waves for the first half of the heat until eventual runner-up Wyatt McHale (HAW) asserted his dominance by jumping from fourth to second after backing up his 6.25 with a 5.95.

“Kauli was just smashing it the whole time and I saw that I was in fourth, but second wasn’t that far away,” said McHale. “So at the end I figured I might as well go for second and bump up a few points, so that’s what I did and I got a few little ones.”

McHale is coming off a final appearance at the Sunset Pro Junior, the first regional junior event of the year that took place in January, and talked about his goals for 2018. “I’m definitely pretty stoked, obviously the goal is to win, but runner-up is good and to follow that up after my fourth place at Sunset, I’m pretty stoked to be consistent and hopefully get one more good result before the end of the year,” McHale continued. “I definitely want to qualify for World Juniors and if I could win the region that would be awesome too, but main goal is World Juniors.”

The Final was extremely close and McHale took second place by only five-hundredths of a point from Hill. In similar fashion, Hill earned third place by less than half a point over fourth place finisher Sage Tutterow (HAW), who maintained a solid rhythm throughout the Final and surfed a total of nine waves with a combined heat total of 11.90. After today’s excellent placing, the Kauai native now sits among the top five on the regional rankings, with McHale claiming the top spot.

In the Women’s division, it was an all-Hawaii Final featuring Riccobuano, Gabriela Bryan (Kauai), Luana Coelho Silva (North Shore, Oahu) and Keala Tomoda-Bannert (Kauai). In an impressive display of power and commitment, the surfers unleashed their best and went head-to-head for the win, with Bryan posting a near-perfect 9.0 and Coelho Silva in the lead for majority of the heat. But Riccobuano tallied two strong scores – a 7.35 and 6.50 – to victory, the first of her entire surfing career.

“Oh my goodness, I’ve never won a Menehune or anything until today and I am so excited and so happy,” said Riccobuano. “It took hard work, and I didn’t have the best first or second heat, but I kind of pulled it together. It was so stressful, I was so happy it was an all-Hawaii Final because they’re all my friends and we hang out all the time and it was really fun.”


Smart surfing and a confident backhand earned Riccobuano her maiden WSL win. Image: WSL/Rolland

Riccobuano earned runner-up at the Papara Pro Junior last year and bettered her regional standings with today’s win to take the No. 2 spot behind Bryan. “I’m staying with Gabi, which is kind of funny,” Riccobuano continued. “I was so stressed out during the Final, I knew I had like a couple seconds left to get one more score because since she had a 9 she just needed to get another one and I don’t know how I did it, but I did it.”

Bryan held onto priority for a good portion of the Final and with five minutes on the clock, nailed three beautiful turns on her forehand for a 9.0 – the best score of the day – and the lead.

“I was in fourth before that and it was very slow so I knew all I had to do was wait because I couldn’t get a good score on a small wave,” said Bryan. “So it came, I got a 9 and then I knew that I had to back it and I just ran out of time.”

Bryan hopes to carry her confidence into the Papara Pro Vahine QS 1,000 and has been training hard in all conditions to prepare for the year.

“I’ve been working really hard and training a lot and just practicing in all conditions because if you can get high scores in any waves you’ll be better off in contests,” Bryan continued. “Hopefully at the Turtle Bay Resort Pro Junior I can claim the regional title for the Junior division and go to Worlds, that would be really awesome. So heading into that final Pro Junior of the year, my goal is to obviously win and come out on top for the overall rankings.”

The Papara Pro Men’s and Women’s QS 1,000 will likely get a start tomorrow around 7:30amlocal time, with Round 1 of the Men hitting the water first. The Papara Pro Open features four different divisions including a Men's and Women's QS 1,000 and a Men's and Women's Pro Junior, and has a holding period of March 11 - 16. Live scoring will be available on WorldSurfLeague.com and the Papara Pro event pages, and the final day of competition will be broadcast LIVE by Polynesie 1re at http://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/polynesie/. 
 
 
RESULTS
Athletes listed in first through fourth, all surfers from Hawaii unless otherwise noted.

Men’s Final
1st – Kauli Vaast (PYF), 16.00
2nd – Wyatt McHale, 12.20
3rd – Noah Hill (USA), 12.15
4th – Sage Tutterow, 11.90

Women’s Final
1st – Leila Riccobuano, 13.85
2nd – Gabriela Bryan, 12.25
3rd – Luana Coelho-Silva, 12.25
4th – Keala Tomoda-Bannert, 8.10

Men’s Semifinals, 1st and 2nd advanced, 3rd = 5th place, 4th = 7th place
SF1: Noah Hill (USA), Wyatt McHale, Ryder Guest, Cole Alves
SF2: Sage Tutterow, Kauli Vaast (PYF), Luke Swanson, Maxime Ratia (PYF)

Women’s Semifinals, 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd = 5th place, 4th = 7th place
SF1: Keala Tomoda-Bannert, Leila Riccobuano, Aelan Vaast (PYF), Kelta O’Rourke
SF2: Gabriela Bryan, Luana Coelho Silva, Ariana Shewry, Savanna Stone

Men’s Quarterfinals, 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd = 9th place, 4th = 13th place
QF1: Ryder Guest, Cole Alves, Warren Pecket (PYF), Eimeo Czermak (PYF)
QF2: Noah Hill (USA), Wyatt McHale, Levi Young, Kayam Amar (ISR)
QF3: Kauli Vaast (PYF), Maxime Ratia (PYF), Logan Bediamol, Makana Franzmann
QF4: Luke Swanson, Sage Tutterow, Robert Grilho, Elijah Hanneman

Women’s Quarterfinals, 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd = 9th place, 4th = 13th place
QF1: Leila Riccobuano, Aelan Vaast (PYF), Ynes Balcon-Mouzaoui (PYF)
QF2: Keala Tomoda-Bannert, Kelta O’Rourke, Tehani Tafaatau (PYF), Gillian McKenzie
QF3: Savanna Stone, Luana Coelho Silva, Tiana-Breeze De Mooij (NZL), Heimiti Fierro (PYF)
QF4: Gabriela Bryan, Ariana Shewry (NZL), Angelina Yossa, Kai Corrie

Men’s Round 1 (Round of 32), 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd = 17th place, 4th = 25th place
H1: Warren Peckett (PYF), Levi Young, Kalani Rivero, Jaques Monchau (PYF)
H2: Cole Alves, Kayam Amar (ISR), Dylan Franzmann, Manakei Kahiha (PYF)
H3: Noah Hill (USA), Ryder Guest, Kainehe Hunt, Felix Bourgoin (PYF)
H4: Wyatt McHale, Eimeo Czermak (PYF), Brodi Sale, Keanu Taylor
H5: Makana Franzmann, Sage Tutterow, Haumana Ateni (PYF), Ocean Macedo
H6: Kauli Vaast (PYF), Robert Grilho, Erwan Figuri (PYF), Makana Pang
H7: Luke Swanson, Logan Bediamol, Zac Hedemann, Tamahei Temu (PYF)
H8: Elijah Hanneman, Maxime Ratia (PYF), Gavin Hogan, Stellio Bobet (PYF)

Men’s Trials Heat, top three advance to Round 1
H1: Warren Peckett (PYF), Stellio Bobet (PYF), Keanu Taylor, Haunui David (PYF)
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RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO, JUNIOR PRO AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO WINNERS CROWNED IN COCOA BEACH

RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO, JUNIOR PRO AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO WINNERS CROWNED IN COCOA BEACH

12/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26048989

World Surf League

RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO, JUNIOR PRO AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO 
WINNERS CROWNED IN COCOA BEACH
- JOSH BURKE ATTAINS FIRST-EVER QUALIFYING SERIES VICTORY OVER COLT WARD
- EITHAN OSBORNE CLAIMS MAIDEN WSL WIN IN AMAZING FASHION
- KIRRA PINKERTON ENDS ALYSSA SPENCER'S REIGN WITH A HUGE WIN TO START 2018
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Eithan Osborne (USA) (L), Josh Burke (BRB) (Center), and Kirra Pinkerton (USA) (R) all walked away with big wins on Florida shores.
Credit: © WSL / Ferguson

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COCOA BEACH, Florida/USA (Sunday, March 11, 2017) – The World Surf League (WSL) crowned Josh Burke (BRB), Eithan Osborne (USA), and Kirra Pinkerton (USA) its respective winners on a beautiful Florida Sunday to end the men’s Qualifying Series (QS) Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000, Junior Pro, and women’s Roxy Junior Pro. Clean morning conditions provided enough scoring opportunity for the victors to get the job done over their fellow contingent in one-to-three-foot surf. It was an incredible finish to what is coming to be known as the best Cocoa Beach event -- ever.
 
A long-awaited Finals appearance was accomplished by Burke and the Barbadian made his countrymen proud with a maiden QS victory. It was a special day for the 22-year-old, who found his rhythm early on against 2017 Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro winner Ryland Rubens (USA) in the Semifinals. But, Burke saved his best for last and earned an 8.33 (out of a possible 10) to begin the Final against an in-form Colt Ward (USA) and didn’t stop pressing until the final horn sounded.
 
“I’m just so psyched to make the Finals and actually win, I don’t know this feeling because I’ve never had it before,” Burke said. “I’ve won a Pro Junior in the past, but this has been a goal of mine for a long time now to take out a QS. This definitely gives me some confidence and just hoping to keep this momentum going. I’ve got a third and first now so I just want to get keep getting these kind of results -- I’m just so excited to be standing here right now with a win.”
 
Burke will now gear up for a big Caribbean leg that ends on his home shores at the Barbados Surf Pro QS 3,000 with this momentum pushing him forward.
 
“I’ll get home for a few days before going to Martinique for the QS 3,000 there and then back home for another 3,000,” Burke added. “These QS 1,000s are pretty hard with some of the surfers that come to do them like Evan [Geiselman] being here, who almost made the World Tour a couple of years. But, the 3,000s are another big step with a lot of great surfers so I’ll just focus on doing my best there.”
 
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro runner-up’s, Ward, Semifinal bout highlighted finals day as he eliminated defending event winner and East Coast’s most prominent QS force, Evan Geiselman (USA). The 20-year-old sat in second for nearly the entire heat until the three-minute mark delivered a forehand gem he was able to take full advantage of -- earning an excellent 8.50 to take the win.

Unfortunately for the San Clemente, California, surfer, the ocean didn’t deliver the same last-minute opportunity and he finished just behind Burke in the Final.
 
“It’s great to finally get into a Final after really looking forward to that Semifinal with Evan [Geiselman] since I’ve never had a man-on-man heat with him,” Ward said. “He’s an amazing surfer and I was just super stoked to get that last opportunity, and couldn’t contain my excitement when I let out that claim just hearing some cheers on the beach. This is a great result moving forward and hopefully it’s the one that gets the ball rolling. I definitely feel like I worked on my heat strategies in this one and picked only the best waves, and I was just having fun all week without putting too much pressure on myself.”
 
An explosive Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Final witnessed even standouts go all out for 25 minutes and a battle for first raged between Osborne and eventual runner-up Tyler Gunter (USA). The two traded off near-perfect scores and excellent scores to back them up, but Osborne’s 9.77 bested Gunter’s 9.10. Taro Watanabe (USA) was able to break out of the combination situation, meaning he needed two new scores to equal Osborne’s, in the final minutes but it was too late as he moved above Bo Raynor (USA) for a third-place finish.

This incredible win marks Osborne's first-ever WSL victory and puts his name at the top of North America Junior Tour rankings to start 2018 with even bigger goals in mind. 
 
“That just feels so good, finally won one, and coming into my last year as junior I had to win one so it's a great start," Osborne said. "It just made my goal of the World Junior Championship that much more achievable and now I'm ready. That Final was just insane, we got so lucky with waves for it and Tyler [Gunter] got an eight, then I got an eight -- then Tyler got a nine and I got a higher nine, it was crazy. To have a Final like that with one of my best friends is great." 

"It's nowhere near over yet so I just need to keep my head down and power through the rest of these with similiar results," Osborne. "I've made two Finals in Los Cabos so I'm already looking forward to that event as our next junior stop, but I'll get some QS events done before then. This win definitely helps get my confidence going for the string of events coming up so I couldn't be more excited."
 
Conditions turned on at the start of the Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro and Spencer’s reign over Cocoa Beach was ended by an unstoppable Pinkerton. The 15-year-old now has back-to-back North America Junior Tour wins after winning the Live Like Zander Pro Junior In Memory of Zander Venezia to finish 2017. A quick start from Spencer left the field scratching to fight back and Pinkerton did just that -- earning a 7.17 on her first wave and backing that up with an impressive 8.57. Eva Woodland (CRI), third-place ,and Tiare Thompson (USA), fourth-place, are off to their best starts on the Junior Tour. after a great showing
 
Pinkerton's win puts her at No. 1 on the rankings for the first time as the Californian duo start 2018 in terrific fashion.
 
“It's kind of unbelievable to get that win because I didn't expect it at all and I'm just so happy to start the year off right," Pinkerton said. "The waves are tough here, but if you can get into the good ones you can really get some turns in. [Coming from Australia just before this one] the waves were literally flat over there so I was able to get some training on the board I was riding today. Alyssa [Spencer] got that 8.50 to start and I thought, 'No!" All I was thinking was that I needed to find the wave." 

"But, my head calmed a little bit after getting that 7.17 and then got a little rattled when she backed it up so I went over to a different spot," Pinkerton said. "I didn't really see any waves coming there, but it felt right and I got that double-up to really do some turns. My original goal was to make it to Worlds, but now that I've won this one, my goal is to win all the events this year."
 
Go to www.worldsurfleague.com for more information, or download the WSL App see all the results on your mobile device.
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Final Results:
1 – Josh Burke (BRB) 13.36   1,000 points
2 – Colt Ward (USA)  6.73     750 points

Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Colt Ward (USA) 15.17 def. Evan Geiselman (USA) 14.84
SF 2: Josh Burke (BRB) 12.60 def. Ryland Rubens (USA) 6.67
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Final Results:
1 – Eithan Osborne (USA) 18.04    1,000 points
2 – Tyler Gunter (USA) 17.93          750 points
3 – Taro Watanabe (USA) 12.40      560 points
4 – Bo Raynor (USA) 11.70              525 points

Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Eithan Osborne (USA) 17.23, Tyler Gunter (USA) 12.23, Liam Murray (USA) 11.20, Laird Myers (USA) 9.40
SF 2: Taro Watanabe (USA) 11.66, Bo Raynor (USA) 11.23, Robbie McCormick (USA) 11.20,  Crosby Colapinto (USA) 9.27
 
Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro Final Results:
1 – Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 16.34      1,000 points
2 – Alyssa Spencer (USA)  15.17      750 points
3 – Eva Woodland CRI)      7.76      560 points
4 – Tiare Thompson (USA) 7.53      525 points

Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 9.93, Eva Woddland (USA) 8.50, Zoe Benedetto (USA) 3.33, Ava McGowan (USA) 2.00
SF 2: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 17.43, , Tiare Thompson (USA) 13.63, Valentina Resano (NIC) 10.66, Samantha Sibley (USA) 9.23
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FINALS DAY SET FOR COCOA BEACH AFTER MARATHON DAY

FINALS DAY SET FOR COCOA BEACH AFTER MARATHON DAY

11/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26042744

World Surf League

FINALS DAY SET FOR COCOA BEACH AFTER MARATHON DAY
- EVAN GEISELMAN DECIMATES LINEUP EN ROUTE TO DEFENDING EVENT TITLE
- LIAM MURRAY HEADLINES JUNIOR QUARTERFINAL BATTLES
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Defending event winner for the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000, Evan Geiselman (USA), is back into the Semifinals with dominant performances.
Credit: © WSL / Ferguson

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COCOA BEACH, Florida/USA (Saturday, March 10, 2017) – Finals day draws are set at Alan Shepard Park after a critical day of competition. The World Surf League (WSL) men’s Qualifying Series (QS) got back in the water and decided their Semifinalists for the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000 after Rounds Three, Four and Quarterfinals were ran -- as well as Quarterfinals for the Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro. Conditions began deteriorating to inconsistent, one-to-three foot surf with highlight moments spotted throughout the day.

Evan Geiselman (USA) showed his East Coast dominance once more with commanding performances in Round Three, Four, and the Quarterfinals. The New Smyrna Beach, Florida, native locked in five excellent scores, meaning they were an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) or above, en route to yet another Florida finals day. Geiselman prepares to defend his title and, with Saturday’s top performances that included a 17.50 (out of a possible 20) and 17.33 heat total, moves ahead with plenty of steam.
 
“These East Coast events definitely mean a lot to me and just hope we keep doing this, and building them bigger,” Geiselman said. “That’s always a goal for these younger guys, and me as well, to see happen. [When it comes time to compete] it’s always a goal to be here on the last day with a chance to win it. It’s all about finding that rhythm coming into any event and after winning the [Florida Pro] QS 1,500 to start the year I went in to Australia with a lot of confidence so I'm stoked to keep it moving here.”
 
A big Quarterfinal match up between Josh Burke (BRB) and last year’s Semifinalist Tommy Coleman (USA) delivered an exciting dual. But, in the end, Burke’s momentum couldn’t be stopped by an in-form Coleman and he eliminated one of the local heroes. The Barbadian’s eyes are set on more, however, and a Semifinal won’t be enough for him to walk away proud.

"This is my third Semifinal in Florida now, so I want to make that next step and to take a win here would be amazing," Burke said. "I'm psyched to start well in these two Florida events since I didn't do well in Australia, but a third in these QS 1,000s isn't really a good result in the long run so I've set my goals high here. I'm trying to understand and be in sync with the waves more which I've noticed is helping here especially -- I feel like the waves have come to me here. So it's important to be happy and that's been a big difference in my surfing."
 
Colt Ward (USA) and 2017 Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro winner Ryland Rubens (USA) also earned their way into the Semifinals and look for a big finals day showing Sunday.
 
"It's great to be here competing again," Ward said. "The past few years on the QS has been a lot of learning the hard way and I want to be done learning those hard lessons. I've been trying to be positive and focus on each heat -- I've never even made a Semifinal before so it feels amazing. It's been great to get some good scores in every heat to give me some confidence."
 
Decisive Quarterfinal battles unraveled in the Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro and the Semifinalists were determined as waves remained tricky with intense ending sections to score big on.
 
Liam Murray (USA) unleashed a terrific performance in a stacked Quarterfinal bout with an in-form Tyler Gunter (USA) alongside international talents Sebastian Williams (ZAF) and Lucas Vicente (BRA). A near-perfect 9.00 solidified his spot into the Semifinals to start 2018. The 16-year-old is straight off a trip from Hawaii and ready for the long year ahead with his ambitions rising each season he returns.
 
“I just waited for a good one out there, especially with those guys in my heat -- I knew it would take some really good scores to get through,” Murray said. “My goal was to make the Top 20 last year since it was my first year on the juniors and now I want to stay in the Top 10. I’m pushing myself and working hard. I came early to prepare for this one and ended up getting some great surfs the whole time so it paid off, and still is. If you want to make the World Junior Championship then you have to make the Final almost every event, but I’m still aiming to just get into those Quarters and Semis this year.”
 
Eithan Osborne (USA), Laird Myers (USA), Robbie McCormick (USA), Taro Watanabe (USA), Crosby Colapinto (USA), and Bo Raynor (USA) and are also into the Semifinals
 
Sunday’s 7:30 a.m. EDT call will determine an 8:00 a.m. EDT start for the junior women’s Semifinals.
 
Go to www.worldsurfleague.com for more information, or download the WSL App to get updates on your mobile device.
 
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000, Junior Pro, and Roxy Junior Pro will run March 8 – 11 at Alan Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Upcoming Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Evan Geiselman (USA) vs. Colt Ward (USA)
SF 2: Josh Burke (BRB) vs. Ryland Rubens (USA)

Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Evan Geisleman (USA) 15.66 def. Kevin Schulz (USA) 13.33
QF 2: Colt Ward (USA) 14.66 def. Derek Gomes (VEN) 6.67
QF 3: Josh Burke (BRB) 15.03 def. Tommy Coleman (USA) 11.07
QF 4: Ryland Rubens (USA) 13.06 def. Stevie Pittman (USA) 10.67
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Round Four Results:
Heat 1: Evan Geiselman (USA) 17.50, Derek Gomes (VEN) 12.87, Kade Matson (USA) 10.77, Daniel Glenn (USA) 10.20
Heat 2: Colt Ward (USA) 13.00, Kevin Schulz (USA) 12.73, Nolan Rapoza (USA) 12.57, Lucas Vicente (BRA) 9.94
Heat 3: Josh Burke (BRB) 15.44, Ryland Rubens (USA) 12.66, Jhonny Corzo (MEX) 11.54, Tyler Gunter (USA) 10.40
Heat 4: Stevie Pittman (USA) 14.80, Tommy Coleman (USA) 14.43, Chauncey Robinson (USA) 13.60, Micha Cantor (USA) 10.77
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Round Three Results:
Heat 1: Derek Gomes (VEN) 13.26, Colt Ward (USA) 12.57, Dwight Pastrana (PRI) 11.00, Dane Mackie (BRB) 9.60
Heat 2: Evan Geiselman (USA) 17.33, Nolan Rapoza (USA) 15.43, Eithan Osborne (USA), Tanner Strohmenger (USA) 8.10
Heat 3: Lucas Vicente (BRA) 13.20, Daniel Glenn (USA) 12.14, Gabriel Farias (BRA) 10.87, Kalum Temple (CAN) 3.76
Heat 4: Kevin Schulz (USA) 13.23, Kade Matson (USA) 13.17, Michel Flores (BRA) 9.66, Taro Watanabe (USA) 4.76
Heat 5: Ryland Rubens (USA) 15.10, Tommy Coleman (USA) 12.97, Robbie McCormick (USA) 12.00, Luan Hanada (BRA) 6.17
Heat 6: Jhonny Corzo (MEX) 14.26, Micha Cantor (USA) 10.63, Michael Dunphy (USA) 9.53, Jackson Butler (USA) 9.20
Heat 7: Stevie Pittman (USA) 14.40, Josh Burke (BRB) 12.63, Jeremy Carter (USA) 11.94, Tommy McKeown (USA) 8.53
Heat 8: Chauncey Robinson (USA) 16.07, Tyler Gunter (USA) 16.07, Levi Slawson (USA) 14.06, Giorgio Gomez (COL) 2.67
 
Upcoming Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Liam Murray (USA), Tyler Gunter (USA), Eithan Osborne (USA), Laird Myers (USA)
SF 2: Robbie McCormick (USA), Taro Watanabe (USA), Crosby Colapinto (USA), Bo Raynor (USA)
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Liam Murray (USA) 15.83, Tyler Gunter (USA) 11.84, Lucas Vicente (BRA) 10.40, Sebastian Williams (ZAF) 4.60
QF 2: Eithan Osborne (USA) 13.17, Laird Myers (USA) 9.66, Dimitri Poulous (USA) 8.50, Kai McPhillips (USA) 8.44
QF 3: Robbie McCormick (USA) 12.16, Taro Watanabe (USA) 9.13, Eno James (GBR) 6.80, William Hedleston (USA) 6.14
QF 4: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 12.60, Bo Raynor (USA) 7.80, Kade Matson (USA) 7.54, Seamus Carey (USA) 2.60
 
Upcoming Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA), Zoe Benedetto (USA), Eva Woddland (USA), Ava McGowan (USA)
SF 2: Kirra Pinkerton (USA), Samantha Sibley (USA), Valentina Resano (NIC), Tiare Thompson (USA)
READ MORE
RON JON QUIKSILVER AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO EVENTS TAKEOVER THE LINEUP WITH BIG PERFORMANCES

RON JON QUIKSILVER AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO EVENTS TAKEOVER THE LINEUP WITH BIG PERFORMANCES

11/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26042662

World Surf League

RON JON QUIKSILVER AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO EVENTS
TAKEOVER THE LINEUP WITH BIG PERFORMANCES
- EITHAN OSBORNE DROPS NEAR-PERFECTION IN JUNIOR DEBUT
- TYLER GUNTER AND ROBBIE MCCORMICK CONTINUE IMPRESSIVE SHOWINGS 
- JUNIOR WOMEN GET UNDERWAY; SEMIFINALISTS LOCKED IN
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Eithan Osborne (USA) lead the charge in his Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro debut with a near-perfect 9.57.
Credit: © WSL / Ferguson

Please be advised, that any audio visual or image attached or accessed by link through this email (“Content”) are for news and editorial use only described under the “License Terms” below. 

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COCOA BEACH, Florida/USA (Friday, March 9, 2017) – The final remnants of Winter Storm Riley provided another fun day of conditions for the Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro and Roxy Junior Pro with two-to-three foot waves on offer. The juniors took over Alan Shepard Park, as the men’s Qualifying Series (QS) competitors had a lay day, and put up impressive performances throughout the day. Round Two and Three of the men’s junior and opening Round One, as well as the Quarterfinals of the women’s junior, were completed in their entirety.
 
Eithan Osborne (USA) struck again at Cocoa Beach, Florida, after his QS performance yesterday, but this time as a junior where his focus is geared. The Ventura, California, native blasted a critical air-reverse in the shorebreak that he was able to ride out of before running onto the sand and earning a near-perfect 9.57 (out of a possible 10). Osborne added an 8.50 to that and threatened the event’s top heat total, an 18.17 (out of a possible 20), with his own 18.10 to kick off his final Junior Tour year.
 
“That heat was insane with Sebastian [Williams] and Stevie [Pittman], and to be in a Round Three heat was crazy -- that’s a Final at any of these events” Osborne said. “My focus is in the juniors this year, I want to make it to Worlds so bad and take that event out, but I’d also like to be in the QS 6,000s at the end of the year as well. It’s good since it’s my last year in school and I’ll be able to fully focus on my surfing afterward. One of my main goals is to stay healthy this year, I’m always getting hurt and it’s cost me events, so I’m really looking forward to being at one hundred percent.”
 
But, Osborne, and the rest of the North America contingent, have a new threat on their hands in the form of Robbie McCormick (USA). The Flagler Beach, Florida, competitor made his WSL debut in yesterday’s action and continued to stun the beach during today’s affairs. McCormick is a late bloomer, beginning his career at age 17 with only one year to perform, but has proven ready for the jersey.
 
“This is actually my first real pro event I’ve done so I’m just learning all I can and hoping to get a couple of points to move forward,” McCormick said. “It feels good to win a few heats and I'm just trying my best, while having fun with it. Since it’s my last year as junior I’ll just see what I can do before getting into the QS. I surf waves like this all the time and I know how to go about it so I’ll just keep having fun out there.”
 
Last year’s North America Junior Tour No. 4 Tyler Gunter (USA) made a phenomenal QS debut yesterday which translated into more success on the junior front in today’s action. The Newport Beach, California, representative is ready for another big year after a taste of the elite World Junior Championships.
 
“Worlds was the greatest experience of my life -- I felt like a CT surfer there with the set up and everything,” Gunter said. “Since I left Australia I’ve just been gearing up for this event and told myself I’m going to work harder than ever. That’s my number one goal is to be back there. I’ve been training in knee high surf around Huntington Beach and Newport to prepare for this one and to have waves here has been amazing. Last year was probably the best year I’ve ever had, making a few Finals, and I learned so much to set myself up for a big year.”
 
The women got their start in trickier, high tide conditions, and still managed to find a few gems for scoring opportunity.

Two-time, defending event winner Alyssa Spencer (USA) is back into the Semifinals to try for a three-peat, but Kirra Pinkerton (USA) stole the show with a 15.33 heat total. The San Clemente, California, native spent most of her spring in Australia following the World Junior Championship and collected a few solid QS results in the process. Pinkerton now returns to the Junior Tour to kick off her 2018 campaign in hopes of returning to the WJC stage next year.

"I'm just trying to keep my energy after being so jet-lagged, but I've got it pretty figured out and it's exciting to get the first junior of the year going -- and already be into the Semifinals," Pinkerton said. "I had a few good results in Australia and I feel strong coming back here now, especially in these type of waves. If I can get a good result here and keep that going, I definitely don't want to be in the same position as last year where I knew I needed to do something in the Final [at Soup Bowl]."
 
Saturday’s 7:30 a.m. EDT call will determine an 8:00 a.m. EDT start for either Round Three of the men’s QS or Quarterfinals of the junior men's event.
 
Go to www.worldsurfleague.com for more information, or download the WSL App to get updates on your mobile device.
 
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000, Junior Pro, and Roxy Junior Pro will run March 8 – 11 at Alan Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Round Three Results:
Heat 1: Tyler Gunter (USA) 14.34, Kai McPhillips (USA) 10.90, Blake Spier (USA) 10.50, Robbie Goodwin (USA) 7.83
Heat 2: Liam Murray (USA) 11.36, Dimitri Poulos (USA) 10.50, Dylan Hord (USA) 10.06, Jacob Burke (BRB) 7.60
Heat 3: Laird Myers (USA) 12.33, Lucas Vicente (BRA) 12.27, Micah Crozier (USA) 10.70, Chase Modelski (USA) 10.70
Heat 4: Eithan Osborne (USA) 18.14, Sebastian Williams (ZAF) 14.73, Stevie Pittman (USA) 8.56, Caleb Crozier (USA) 6.13
Heat 5: William Hedleston (USA) 11.73, Bo Raynor (USA) 11.34, Tommy Coleman (USA) 11.00, Ryan Huckabee (USA) 7.47
Heat 6: Robbie McCormick (USA) 13.66, Crosby Colapinto (USA) 9.56, Nick Marshall (USA) 8.80, Jackson Butler (USA) 7.26
Heat 7: Kade Matson (USA) 14.83, Eno James (GBR) 8.93, Alan Cleland (MEX) 8.77, Sebastian Mendes (USA) 6.40
Heat 8: Seamus Carey (USA) 8.10, Taro Watanabe (USA) 7.80, Kyle Tester (USA) 7.66, Sam Reidy (USA) 4.20
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Round Two Results:
Heat 1: Robbie Goodwin (USA) 12.40, Dylan Hord (USA) 10.54, Tommy McKeown (USA) 9.87, Dane Matson (USA) 7.87
Heat 2: Dimitri Poulous (USA) 11.16, Kai McPhillips (USA) 10.04, Max Beach (USA) 8.37, Ben Wingate (USA) 4.93
Heat 3: Lucas Vicente (BRA) 14.83, Stevie Pittman (USA) 14.83, Stevie Pittman (USA) 14.10, Beck Adler (USA) 9.70, Manny Valentin (PRI) 8.20
Heat 4: Sebastian Williams (ZAF) 15.33, Laird Myers (USA) 9.73, Shane Frontino (USA) 7.77, Aaron Ramierz (CRI) 6.83
Heat 5:  Bo Raynor (USA) 14.10, Nick Marshall (USA) 12.10, Alex Fry (USA) 7.90, Riley Morgan (USA) 6.53
Heat 6: Robbie McCormick (USA) 14.74, Ryan Huckabee (USA) 10.13, Dwight Pastrana (PRI) 9.53, Kyle Caracciolo (USA) 4.57
Heat 7: Alan Cleland (MEX) 11.90, Sam Reidy (CRI) 11.80, Micha Cantor (USA) 11.00, Levi Slawson (USA) 11.00
Heat 8: Seamus Carey (USA) 12.33, Eno James (GBR) 10.10, Italo Mesinas (USA) 5.90, Will Grossarth (USA) 5.23
 
Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 14.17, Zoe Benedetto (USA) 13.10, Maddie Garlough (USA) 8.30, Molly Kirk (USA) 1.83
QF 2: Eva Woodland (CRI) 12.20, Ava McGowan (USA) 9.84, Bethany Zelasko (CAN) 6.93, Bree Smith (USA) 5.23
QF 3: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 15.33, Samantha Sibley (USA) 9.50, Paulina Summers (USA 6.67, Rubina Brownell (CRI) 6.26
QF 4: Valentina Resano (NIC) 11.50, Tiare Thompson (USA) 11.16, Serena Nava (USA) 11.03, Charlotte Lange (USA) 9.90
 
Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro Round One Results:
Heat 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 9.53,  Ava McGowan (USA) 8.37, Audrey Presti (USA) 7.00, Maddy Malizia (RUS) 4.40
Heat 2: Molly Kirk (USA) 7.57, Bree Smith (USA) 4.43, Nicole Fulford (USA) 4.10, Camila Summers (CRI) 3.20
Heat 3: Bethany Zelasko (CAN) 13.66, Maddie Garlough (USA) 12.03, Makena Burke (USA) 9.67, Hannah Blevins (USA) 6.64
Heat 4: Eva Woodland (CRI) 8.87, Zoe Benedetto (USA) 7.83, Ella McCaffray (USA) 6.47, Rachel Presti (USA) 6.30
Heat 5: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 14.43, Valentina Resano (NIC) 14.33, Mathea Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 11.50,  Coral Schuster (USA) 7.33
Heat 6: Rubiana Brownell (CRI) 7.74, Charlotte Lange (USA) 7.03, Avery Aydelotte (USA) 2.23, Coral Wiggins (CRI) 1.00
Heat 7: Tiare Thompson (USA) 13.50, Paulina Summers (CRI) 8.83, Kayla Coscino (USA) 8.67, Sarah Stotz (USA) 2.50
Heat 8: Serena Nava (USA) 13.90, Samantha Sibley (USA) 10.66, Jasmine Gailey (USA) 4.30, Alexa Muss (USA) 3.10
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COCOA BEACH TURNS ON FOR OPENING DAY OF THE RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO AND JUNIOR PRO

COCOA BEACH TURNS ON FOR OPENING DAY OF THE RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO AND JUNIOR PRO

09/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26017596

World Surf League

COCOA BEACH TURNS ON FOR OPENING DAY OF THE 
RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO AND JUNIOR PRO
- DANIEL GLENN SOARS INTO NEAR-PERFECTION TO KICK OFF EVENT 
- PRISTINE CONDITIONS LIGHT UP ALAN SHEPARD PARK 
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: An incredible opening day of action provided relentless waves that Daniel Glenn (USA) (pictured) took full advantage of to start -- earning a 9.67 in Round One of the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000.
Credit: © WSL / Ferguson

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COCOA BEACH, Florida/USA (Thursday, March 8, 2017) – Pristine conditions greeted the men’s Qualifying Series (QS) and Junior Tour on opening day of the World Surf League (WSL) Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Men’s QS 1,000 and Junior Pro. Three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 meter) surf streamed through Cocoa Beach, Florida, as Round One and Two of the QS, along with Round One of the Junior Pro, were completed in their entirety. The Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro was called off for the day as the men and junior men decimated clean waves on offer.
 
The East Coast was well-represented by the likes of Daniel Glenn’s (USA) blistering performance in his opening Round One heat. Glenn soared off the lip of an absolute gem and stomped a massive air-reverse to earn a near-perfect 9.67 (out of a possible 10) and accrued an 18.17 (out of a possible 20) heat total -- both the highest of opening day. The New Smyrna Beach, Florida, local is typically known for his incredible freesurfing abilities, and was able to turn that into competitive success.
 
“It’s great everyone got to come to Florida and experience surf instead of the one-foot, dribble it can be known for,” Glenn said. “We’ve had some really great surf the last few days from this winter storm Riley and if this event wasn’t going on I would’ve loved to travel somewhere for it. But, this event is a great opportunity for us Florida boys who live in the area and it’s special to have waves for it. It’s crazy for these events because you have to be ready for that day, everything be just right, when it comes.”
 
Nolan Rapoza (USA) kept up the pace with a brilliant start in continued fun, afternoon conditions and posted an excellent 8.50 of his own. The Long Beach, California, native is all too familiar with the shores of Cocoa Beach as a Pro Junior and now comes back for his second time as a full-time QS competitor. But, the Californian came well-prepared after enjoying reaping the rewards of an early arrival strike mission up the East Coast.
 
“That was my first time coming over here for a swell like this and we got on a bus from Charlotte (North Carolina) to Newark (New Jersey), and we scored,” Rapoza said. “It actually feels really refreshing to be back here since I know the place well and feels like I know what to do now. All I’m worrying about is my heat at this point. There’s always good vibes here as well and I have a great time with my friends. [Looking at this year] I’ve just realized everything usually plays out as planned and I’ve learned to focus on my heats more.”
 
Dane Mackie’s (BRB) return to Florida was a fruitful one so far with two heat wins to start his campaign. The Barbados native topped defending event winner Evan Geiselman (USA) by .01 with a 12.37 heat total and two standout, seeded competitors, Nick Marshall (USA) and Chase Modelski (USA). But, there is a lot of work ahead for the young Barbadian with his goals for this event, and the year, set high.
 
“It feels great to be back after not being here last year because I was over in Australia doing all those events,” Mackie said. “But, I’m doing some work for Vestal in California and I got into this last event last minute so I made the trip. I was a little nervous in that first heat, but then it was right back into it for my second. It’s great to see this event back and makes competing a lot easier for us on the island with a handful of events on the East Coast.”
 
“I would love to win this event, but to make the Quarterfinals is a target of mine so I can start getting some points before the QS 3,000s at home,” Mackie added. “My goal is to make it into the QS 6,000s this year so I’m stoked to get it going.”
 
The waves continued delivering through the men’s and still showed moments of brilliance in Round One of the Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro to finish off the day.
 
Bo Raynor (USA) found redemption and ripped through his opening junior heat after an early exit in the QS. Raynor begins his last year as a Junior Tour competitor and has put in the time to make it a successful one. The North Carolina native continues to fine-tune the smaller details of his surfing with more to learn.
 
“Winter at home was so good and it was hard to leave for events, but I’m getting right back into it with this one,” Raynor said. “I’m really putting my focus into the juniors this year and want to make the World Junior Championship after missing out the last few years. I’ve learned more each year, but something I’m working on is backing up my scores instead of waiting til the last few minutes where I start to panic. But, this is the year I hope and I’m going to give it my all.”
 
Friday’s 7:30 a.m. EDT call will determine an 8:00 a.m. EDT start Round Two of the men’s junior and also get Round One of the women’s junior underway -- no QS men's action Friday, March 9.
 
Go to www.worldsurfleague.com for more information, or download the WSL App to get updates on your mobile device.
 
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000, Junior Pro, and Roxy Junior Pro will run March 8 – 11 at Alan Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000 Round Two Results:
Heat 1: Dane Mackie (BRB) 12.37, Evan Geiselman (USA) 12.36, Nick Marshall (USA) 10.56, Chase Modelski (USA) 9.97
Heat 2: Colt Ward (USA) 13.67, Tanner Strohmenger (USA) 11.70, Phillippe Chagas (BRA) 8.77, Christopher Kervin (USA) 3.83
Heat 3: Eithan Osborne (USA) 13.33, Derek Gomes (VEN) 10.60, Blake Spier (USA) 10.47, Theo Fresia (BRA) 10.24
Heat 4: Nolan Rapoza (USA) 16.33, Dwight Pastrana (PRI) 11.20, Ryan Huckabee (USA) 10.53, Italo Mesinas (USA) 7.67
Heat 5: Daniel Glenn (USA) 12.80, Kade Matson (USA) 12.26, Liam Murray (USA) 11.50, Jacob Burke (BRB) 10.60
Heat 6: Lucas Vicente (BRA) 12.96, Taro Watanbe (USA) 12.10, Alan Cleland (MEX) 12.00, Leo Calvo (BRA) 11.70
Heat 7: Michel Flores (BRA) 12.77, Gabriel Farias (BRA) 10.57, Rory Reep (USA) 7.93, Wil Reid (USA) 6.86
Heat 8: Kevin Schulz (USA) 11.04, Kalum Bruhwiler Temple (CAN) 9.16, David Economos (USA) 9.13, Kyle Tester (USA) 8.03
Heat 9: Robbie McCormic (USA) 14.77, Michael Dunphy (USA) 11.67, Crosby Colapinto (USA) 11.00, Logan Landry (CAN) 4.26
Heat 10: Ryland Rubens (USA) 15.17, Micha Cantor (USA) 12.60, Luke Gordon (USA) 11.27, Joshua Chester (HAW) 3.46
Heat 11: Jhonny Corzo (MEX) 12.43, Luan Hanada (BRA) 10.36, Dylan Hord (USA) 7.63, Evan Brownell (USA) 7.46
Heat 12: Jackson Butler (USA) 11.13, Tommy Coleman (USA) 11.03, Sasha Donnanno (MEX) 6.10, Collin Shinn (USA) 5.17
Heat 13: Joshua Burke (BRB) 11.50, Giorgio Gomez (COL) 11.00, Kai McPhillips (USA) 8.67, Micah Crozier (USA) 7.30
Heat 14: Stevie Pittman (USA) 12.83, Levi Slawson (USA) 11.80, Noah Beschen (HAW) 10.80, Riley Morgan (HAW), Riley Morgan (USA) 5.34
Heat 15: Chauncey Robinson (USA) 13.50, Tommy McKeown (USA) 11.27, William Hedleston (USA) 10.14, Branden Defilippo (USA) 7.23
Heat 16: Tyler Gunter (USA) 17.67, Jeremy Carter (USA) 14.60, Alex Fry (USA) 6.60, Frank Chenault (USA) 0.00
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000 Round One Results:
Heat 1: Dane Mackie (BRB) 11.76, Phillippe Chagas (BRA) 10.77, Kevin Cortez (NIC) 10.47, Laird Myers (USA) 7.34
Heat 2: Theo Fresia (BRA) 10.37, Ryan Huckabee (USA) 10.33, Jose Lopez (VEN) 7.24, Sebastian Mendes (USA) 5.57
Heat 3: Daniel Glenn (USA) 18.17, Leo Calvo (CRI) 10.40, Bo Raynor (USA) 9.24, Sam Reidy (CRI) 8.40
Heat 4: Rory Reep (USA) 10.67, Kalum Temple (CAN) 7.24, Jackson Obando (NIC) 5.83, Shane Kertesz (USA) 1.40
Heat 5: Robbie McCormic (USA) 12.17, Micha Cantor (USA) 10.24, Caleb Rapson (BRB) 9.90, Ben Wingate (USA) 3.80
Heat 6: Luan Hanada (BRA) 9.04, Sasha Donnanno (MEX) 8.60, Axe Garrett (BRB) 8.30, Brandon Todd (USA) 6.66
Heat 7: Kai McPhillips (USA) 11.00, Levi Slawson (USA) 10.46, Max Beach (USA) 8.77, Tales Araujo (BRA) 7.97
Heat 8: Tommy McKeown (USA) 12.83, Alex Fry (USA) 9.60, Dimitri Poulos (USA) 9.50, Taishi Kume (JPN) 9.03
 
Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro Round One Results:
Heat 1: Tommy McKeown (USA) 10.66, Kai McPhillips (USA) 10.63, Sutton Kerlin (USA) 7.94
Heat 2: Lucas Vicente (BRA) 13.23, Laird Myers (USA) 9.00, Logan Kamen (USA) 7.10, Caleb Rapson (BRB) 4.83
Heat 3: Bo Raynor (USA) 15.00, Robbie McCormic (USA) 11.70, Owen Moss (USA) 8.90, Joshua Chester (HAW) 4.30
Heat 4: Micha Cantor (USA) 12.16, Eno James (GBR) 11.80, Luan Hanada (BRA) 9.40, Darian Pitcher (BRB) 4.03
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WSL ARRIVES IN COCOA BEACH FOR RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO, JUNIOR PRO AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO

WSL ARRIVES IN COCOA BEACH FOR RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO, JUNIOR PRO AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO

08/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26010033

World Surf League

WSL ARRIVES IN COCOA BEACH FOR 
RON JON QUIKSILVER PRO, JUNIOR PRO AND ROXY JUNIOR PRO
- NORTH AMERICA JUNIOR TOUR SEASON OPENER SET TO BEGIN MARCH 8 - 11
- THIRD CONSECUTIVE MEN'S QS EVENT JOINS SIXTH ANNUAL JUNIOR PRO
- EVAN GEISELMAN, ALYSSA SPENCER RETURN TO DEFEND EVENT TITLES
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Cocoa Beach, Florida, welcomed the World Surf League (WSL) back with a pleasant surprise of swell to start the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro, Junior Pro, and Roxy Junior Pro set for March 8 - 11.
Credit: © WSL / Nichols

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COCOA BEACH, Florida/USA (Wednesday, March 7, 2018) – The World Surf League (WSL) is back on Floridian shores for more to kick off North America’s Junior Tour schedule alongside stop No. 2 of the regional men’s Qualifying Series (QS) season. This marks the sixth annual Ron Jon Quiksilver and Roxy Junior Pro events, as well as the third consecutive Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000 affair.

Some of North America’s best talents return to these staple events of the long-standing Beach N’ Boards Fest March 8 through 11.
 
One of the East Coast’s best surfers, Evan Geiselman (USA), returns as defending event winner at the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000 and he’s looking for more. But, Vero Beach, Florida’s, Tommy Coleman (USA) has his eyes set on topping Geiselman, who defeated him in the QS Semifinals last year, and also stakes his claim for a win in the Junior Pro -- earning runner-up behind Ryland Rubens (USA) previously. The 15-year-old's results helped set the pace for a breakthrough year in 2017, though Coleman’s intentions are being directed fully toward a competitive season this year and has big goals in mind.

“I’m pumped for this event and looks like the waves are going to be good so I’m super excited,” Coleman said. “I would love to win both, but I really want to win the junior more [after coming so close last year]. This year I’m really going to focus and try to get some good results for a shot at making the World Junior Championship. It’s so nice to have the first two events at home and I can’t wait.”
 
Alyssa Spencer (USA) begins her North America Regional Junior Title defense by going for an unprecedented, three-peat victory at the Roxy Junior Pro. The 14-year-old had a stellar performance in Australia with a Finals appearance at the Vissla D’Blanc Great Lakes QS 1,000 before back-to-back QS 6,000 equal 9th-place finishes. But, Spencer is back on American soil and shifting her focus to the Junior Tour circuit in hopes of building her already impressive resume.
 
“Cocoa Beach is one of my favorite events because it’s the first Pro Junior of the year and it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the year,” Spencer said. “All of the girls have been working on progressing there surfing in the offseason, so I know it is going to be a very exciting event.  Having my birthday around the time of the event is really special too -- it's just kind of like the cherry on top. My goals for this year are to make World Juniors and just do a few QS events throughout the year to gain experience surfing against the older girls. My main focus will be the Pro Juniors, but I would love to do well in a few QS events too.”
 
Spencer’s fellow San Diego County competitor, Rubens, claimed a long-awaited, first WSL win at Cocoa Beach last year in the Ron Jon Quiksilver Junior Pro. However, Rubens turned 18 during the season and now moves on to a full-time QS career with hopes of carrying the momentum from his North America Regional Junior Title forward.
 
“It would be great [to get another win] since this where I won my first junior, but the QS is a whole new level,” Rubens said. “This is my first full year on the QS and I learned [from my Pro Junior career] that it's a long season. I want to accrue enough points at years end to get into bigger events and also juggle my surfing goals along with starting to take college classes. I just try to not put too much pressure on myself and enjoy every moment -- not get to high on the highs or low on the lows.”
 
Tomorrow’s 7:30 a.m. EST call will determine an 8:00 a.m. EST start for either the men’s QS, juniors, or women’s juniors Round One action.
 
Please visit www.worldsurfleague.com for more information regarding the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000, Quiksilver Junior Pro and Roxy Junior Pro.
 
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,000, Quiksilver Junior Pro and Roxy Junior Pro will run March 8 through 11 at Alan Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida. 
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MANLY DELIVERS FOR OPENING DAY OF THE KEY SUN ZINKE SYDNEY PRO JUNIOR

MANLY DELIVERS FOR OPENING DAY OF THE KEY SUN ZINKE SYDNEY PRO JUNIOR

25/02/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25896049

World Surf League

MANLY DELIVERS FOR OPENING DAY OF THE KEY SUN ZINKE SYDNEY PRO JUNIOR
- ALYSSA LOCK CONTINUES HER STRONG JQS FORM
- NEW ZEALAND'S TE KEHUKEHU BUTLER SHINES
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Having honed her backhand attack on the long righthanders of Snapper Rocks, Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads, NSW) used a variety of backside snaps and carves to muster up a near-perfect 9.25 wave score..    
Credit: © WSL / Ethan Smith


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Manly, NSW/AUS  (Saturday, February 24, 2018) -  The 2018 Vissla Sydney Surf Pro got off to a flying start today as the Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior kicked off in punchy two-foot peaks at Manly Beach 
 
TeKehukehu Butler’s (NZL) Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior campaign began superbly as he tore apart the playful peaks to post a 16.25 heat total. Butler linked together a chain of powerful forehand snaps to notch up the aforementioned score and earn himself a position in the second round.
 
“I was so excited to turn up and see how fun the little waves were,” said Butler. “I’ve had a second and third place finish in my last two Pro Junior events in Bells and Newcastle, so I’m really hoping I can go the extra step here in Manly. Hopefully, these little waves continue.”
 
Having recently scored the mentorship of two-time World Champion Tyler Wright, Central Coast native Caleb Tancred (Avoca, NSW) used some of the lessons she’s imparted to take out an impressive round one victory. Tancred synced his repertoire of forehand hits with Manly’s right-handers, notching up a 15.30 two-wave heat total. Tancred will meet fellow Central Coaster Jackson Roberts (Bateau Bay, NSW), George Pittar (Manly, NSW) and Dextar Muskens (Coolangatta, Qld) in round two tomorrow.
 
“There’s a good little bank down here at Manly,” said Tancred. “There’s a couple of rights off the back of the rip so I was stoked to jag a couple of little ones. I was lucky to go to Hawaii with Glenn “Micro” Hall and Tyler, I learnt so much. Tyler is so cruisey, but when it comes to heat time she’s very focused to so it’s cool to be around her and take notes from that.”
 
Surfing across the Sydney Women’s Pro and the Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior, Zahli Kelly (Qld) made her intentions clear as she posted an impressive 13.15 total. Kelly performed an array of turns well beyond her years to claim the win ahead of recent 2018 Carve Pro runner-up Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW) who finished in second position.
 
“The waves were kind of mushy out there but there were still plenty of them and lots of opportunities. I was just looking for waves with a good little wall,” said Kelly. “This is my first time coming to Manly, I’m excited to be here for both the Pro Juniors and the QS 6000 to get some points in both events. It’d be good to make it back into World Juniors, but it’s not my main focus this year. I just want to go out every event and have fun and learn more.”
 
Having honed her backhand attack on the long right-handers of Snapper Rocks, Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads, NSW) used a variety of backside snaps and carves to muster up a near-perfect 9.25 wave score. Lock threw buckets of spray as she nailed turn-after-turn to lock in the previously mentioned score and seal a position into the second round.

“I got a nine-point-ride and I wasn’t really expecting the score,” said Lock. “I knew it was a good wave but I just didn’t think it would be that a high of a score. It was a good surprise. The wave gave me some good sections so I just kept on hitting them. I think I got about four turns to the beach. I’ve been here at Manly for the QS and the Pro Junior before. It’s definitely good to be back and there’s a lot of waves so I’m stoked. I’ve seen the beach pumping before so I know it has a lot of potential. Hopefully we get some more of that over the weekend.”
 
The Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior will wrap up at Manly Beach tomorrow

The 2018 Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior will be held from February 24th - 25. For more information, highlights and images, head to www.worldsurfleague.com or the free  WSL App.

The Vissla Sydney Surf Pro and Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Northern Beaches Council, WSL and Surfing NSW.  
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