Billabong Pro Junior Series Indonesia
3 Events $15 500 USD
Keramas, Kuta Reef, Canggu
www.billabong.com.au
Julian Wilson Wins Inaugural Indonesian Billabong Pro Junior Series
Indonesia’s One Anwar Emerges as Future Surfing Star
Sunday June 3rd (Keramas, Bali, Indonesia): Form tournament surfer Julian Wilson (Aus) won the all-Australian final of the Billabong Pro-Teen Junior Series Indonesia today defeating fellow Sunshine Coast competitor Kalen Schloss at Keramas Beach in Bali.
Both surfers suffered from early nerves before finding their rhythm in the 30 minute final staged in highly contestable but inconsistent one metre plus conditions.
Wilson taking an early lead in waves tailor made for his lightening fast but radical style to prove unbeatable, going from strength to strength to dominate for most of the match-up.
At the half-way mark Wilson’s roommate Schloss required a near perfect 9.83 wave score for the win a position that he never bettered after falling on a potentially high scoring ride. The 20 year-old forced to settle for second place.
“It was amazing to win,” said Wilson. “At home I do good in contests but it has always been in bad waves, so just to know I can match it with the boys when the waves are perfect feels good.”
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better than to have Schloss in the final, he is a mad dog and we have been bunking in together here in Bali. It was a dream final.”
Wilson marked himself as the man to beat from the opening rounds of the inaugural event posting the tournaments only perfect ten point on day two of competition.
Runner-up Schloss was on his game from today’s opening quarter finals ripping the perfect right hander with his smooth but powerful back hand attack to secure his first finals appearance ever.
The twenty year old was the only goofy footer to qualify for the final day of competition on a wave that favours front side surfers.
“I’m so happy, we don’t get waves like this at home,” said Schloss. “You couldn’t ask for more epic waves than what Bali has.
“I can’t complain about anything especially losing to Julian he has to be the best junior surfer in the world right now, he has been consistent all week,” added Schloss
The opening semi-final was a battle royale between tournament stand-outs Wilson and Australia’s current no.2 ranked junior Heath Joske (Numbucca Heads, NSW). Wilson forced to surf a near perfect heat to defeat Joske in the highest scoring match-up of the event as the pair went wave for wave.
Wilson used a 9.93 to finish on heat total of 19.23 to Joske’s 17.33 score.
“I’m a bit disappointed,” said Joske after the semi-final. “It was a fun heat. It’s always good to surf against Julian, I love the way he surfs and he is one of my favourite surfers. It felt good to put it to him a bit in the heat as well”
“I’m stoked to be in Bali and surf perfect waves in an event. It’s been a privilege.”
Indonesia’s highest placed surfer One Anwar was a victim of his own inexperience bowing out in the second semi after incurring a double interference to Schloss. The 14 year-old who has relocated from Lakey Peak in Sumbawa to Kuta Beach in Bali to further his surfing career emerged as one of the most exciting prospects out if Indonesia in year.
The fast and fluid competitor now heads into the second of three Billabong Pro Junior Series events at Kuta Reef as the top ranked Indonesian sitting in equal third position
“So good to get to the semi-finals,” said Anwar “No other Indo made it through to the semis. I am so happy to compete in this contest.”
“I’ll be training and surfing Kuta Reef, it’s a left hand reef so it’s going to be hard for me. So many good surfers and the Australians all surf so good. I feel good to be the top ranked Indonesian surfer.”
Earlier in the quarter finals Anwar eliminated experienced junior Australian Tim Stevenson (Torquay, Vic).
In arguably the tournaments toughest quarter final Wilson eliminated no.3 ranked Australian junior Brendan Leckie (Gold Coast) 16.07 to 13.43. Wilson, managing a superior, set wave to come from behind with 9.23 score. Leckie unable to answer back in the early morning inconsistent conditions and forced to settle for an equal 7th placing.
Joske, simply too strong for his local opponent Agus Purnawan in the day’s opening quarter convincingly defeating his Indonesian opponent. Purnawan finishing equal 7th overall.
Experience was a key factor in the elimination of talented Nusa Lembongan competitor Wayan Susiana by Schloss in their quarter final match-up. The 16 year-old, lacking the competitive nous required to surf the man on man format in his first ever two man heat. Susiana destined to come back stronger in the next event at Kuta Reef after finishing equal 7th.
Australia’s more experienced surfing ranks relished the epic waves that the tournament enjoyed throughout the three days of competition. Many used to competing in less favourable conditions.
The first ever Billabong Pro Junior Series Indonesian U/20 rankings have now been established with Wilson now holding down the no.1 ranking following his win.
The highest placed Indonesian surfer at the end of the three event series will be granted a position into the Von Zipper Trial, the 16 man precursor to the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships at North Narrabeen, Sydney.
Entry into the World Junior Championships is exceptionally valuable to any aspiring professional surfer, with the likes of Joel Parkinson and three-time world champion Andy Irons having launched their careers on the strength of wins at the WJC.
The Billabong Pro Junior Series is supported by Kustom footwear and Von Zipper eyewear, will be held at three different locations.
The next event of the three part series will be staged at Kuta Reef from 29 June – 1 July with the final event at Canggu (2-5 August) having a total of US$6,500 up for grabs.
Media Information
Mandy McKinnon On-site
[email protected]
+62 (0) 81 337802237
Simon Barratt
[email protected]
+61 437 733 346
Results
QF
Heath Joske (Aus) 17.17 def Agus Purnawan (Ind) 12.10
Julian Wilson (Aus) 16.07 def Brendan Leckie (Aus) 13.43
Kalen Schloss (Aus) 16.00 def Wayan Susiana (Aus) 12.90
One Anwar (Ind) 13.67 def Tim Stevenson (Aus) 10.93
SF
Julian Wilson 19.23 def Heath Joske 17.33
Kalen Schloss 15.07 def One Anwar 10.97
Final
Julian Wilson 16.20 def Kalen Schloss 12.43
Ratings
Billabong Pro Junior Series Indonesia Rankings after event #1
1 Julian Wilson (Aus) USD2000
2 Kalen Schloss (Aus) USD800
3 Heath Joske (Aus) USD500
3 One Anwar (IND) USD500
7 Agus Purnawan (IND) USD175
7 Brendan Leckie (Aus) USD175
7 Wayan Susiana (IND) USD175
7 Tim Stevenson (Aus) USD175
Recent Comments