Tamaroa McComb and Heath Joske standouts.
Thursday August 14 2008. For Immediate Release: Australia’s Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta), the number one seed and ratings leader coming into the final event of this years 2008 Billabong Pro Junior Series Indonesia, survived an early scare in his round three heat to keep his hopes alive of winning this years series.
Vasicek opened the day in a loaded round three international heat which included World Under 16 champion Tamaroa McComb (Tahiti), day one standout Torry Miester (Hawaii) and local surfer Agus Sumertayasa.
McComb and Meister began the heat in superb style notching up strong 9, 8 and 7 point rides within the first half of the heat while Vasicek was forced to sit patiently searching for a wave to give him his chance to chase the tear away heat leaders.
“It’s always nerve racking when your opponents are getting the best waves and scoring but I sort of knew panicking was useless and I also figured 2 good waves in 10 minutes was very achievable here so I tried to remain calm and when I finally found the waves I was able to get the required scores and overtake Miester” said a relieved Vasicek after the heat.
While Vasicek remains well in contention to take the series, number two seed Ketut Yoga Semadhi (Bali) was a shock elimination in the final heat of round three.
Semadhi will now anxiously sit through the event hoping he can at least maintain his position as the highest rated Indonesian surfer of the series which will be awarded a wild card into the ASP World Professional Junior Championship trials in Sydney next January.
That position however is right up for grabs with numerous local Indonesian surfers performing exceptionally today and advancing to round four.
Five Indonesian surfers progressed to round four – Mustofa Jeksen, Made Widiartha, Agus Purdawan, Wayan Susiana and Radiya Rondi.
Standouts today were Tamaroa McComb (TAH), Heath Joske (AUS) and Ice Periera (AUS). All three found outstanding 9 point rides in the high performance 1m (3ft) surf at Canggu River mouth.
Joske last year won this series and he also comes into this event with a win in the opening event of this year’s series and with double points up for grabs here at Canggu he has to be in contention.
“I’m not sure what my chances are to win the series but I won this particular event last year and it would be great to win it again. The waves are really fun and you know you can score big when you pick up the right angled waves – it’s an ideal wave to compete in.”
McComb found winning form today and looks to be gaining in confidence through each heat. He picked up a new customized surfboard this morning and convincingly won through his heat displaying his fast powerful style and skilled aerial attack.
With the waves slowly dropping off today, organizers will assess conditions carefully tomorrow with the Occy Grom Comp, for under 16 year surfers, very likely to be included in tomorrows program while the quarter finals to finals of the Pro Junior likely to await a new swell expected for the weekend.
Web highlight packages will be available during the event and notifications will be emailed out.
A newsfeed will be available on the final day of the event. Notification of gateway, shot lists and copy will be emailed to television newsrooms.
The Billabong Pro Junior Series is supported by Discovery Kartika Plaza, Hawaiian Tropic Suncare, Nixon, Kustom, and Von Zipper.
An additional fee has also been added for entry into this years Canggu event with Indonesian and International athletes alike needing to fill a “Billabong Bag ‘O’ Trash” for entry. This initiative aimed at cleaning up some of the rubbish accumulating on Bali beaches will see some of the world’s best juniors donning the gloves and grabbing a bag with the aim to inspire locals into some positive environmental action. Support for this program has come with the the inclusion of the R.O.L.E Foundation who will oversee an environmental program aimed at actively engaging and educating local surfers in the importance of caring for our environment.
About The Billabong Pro Junior Series:
The Billabong Pro Junior Series is sanctioned by the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championships as part of the Pro Junior Championship Division. The series is the most lucrative on the Indonesian calendar, attracting surfers from Australia, Indonesia, USA, Hawaii, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Europe.
In line with the ISC’s goal of seeing talented young Indonesian surfers on the WQS and eventually on the WCT, Billabong is delighted to be an integral part of attaining this goal, as the Billabong Pro Junior Series is widely recognized as the premiere career booster for surfers aged 20 and under with world renown surfers such as Andy Irons and Joel Parkinson having launched their careers with wins at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
2008 Billabong Junior Series
June 18-22: Billabong Pro Junior Series Keramas
July 9-13: Billabong Pro Junior Series Kuta Reef
August 13-17: Billabong Pro Junior Series Canggu
August 13-17: Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp Canggu
Photo: Made Widiartha (Bali) shows us how talented the Indonesian surfers are by taking a convincing round three heat win at the Billabong Pro Junior at Canggu beach, Bali today. Widiartha defeated young Australian surfer Creed McTaggart. Photo Steve Robertson
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