The Burkie's Junior Surfing Championships were held at Freights Bay on
Saturday, February 21st. This was the first time that an event had been
held there since the mid 60's when there was an Open event organized by
David "Freight" Allan after whom the surf break is named. The turn out was
one of the best ever at a Junior surf event in Barbados with some 63 entries
in three Divisions - 10 and Under, Under 12 and 14 and Under. These
Championships were sanctioned by the Barbados Surfing Association, the
governing body of the sport of surfing in Barbados.
Conditions were ideal for the young surfers with glassy waves in the 2 - 4
ft range.
Che Allan took top honours in the 10 and Under Division while Zander Venezia
was second, Jack Degruchy third and Andrew Rose fourth.
The Under 12 Division was won by Gavin Fernandes while Dane Mackie was
second, Joshua Burke third and 8 year old Jacob Burke fourth.
Gavin Fernandes also took top honours in the 14 and Under Division, while
Dane Mackie was second, Chelsea Tuach third and Chelsea Roett fourth.
The event was sponsored by Lynch Insurance Brokers.
On Saturday, 28th February, the World Surfing Games Trials were held in
chest to head high, windy conditions at Sand Bank. The Open Division was
won by David Hoad, Jonathan Reece was second, Stefan Corbin third and
Christopher Clarke fourth. The Ladies Division was won by Ametza Nicholls,
Chelsea Tuach was second and Chelsea Roett third. The Longboard Division
was won by Wayne Roett and Kenny Tuach was second. The WSG are slated for
Costa Rica July 31st to August 9th and comprise 4 Open Men, 2 Ladies and two
Longboarders. The Squad which also includes surfers who reached the
semi-finals of the Trials, has begun training. The final Team will be
selected by the Coaching Committee in due course.
Meanwhile, preparations are well underway for the Quiksilver ISA World
Junior Surfing Championships. The Team comprising Lewis St John, Jordan
Heaselgrave, Chelsea Roett, Chelsea Tuach and Ametza Nicholls have been
training hard and are scheduled to leave for Ecuador with Team Manager
Rachel Roett and Team Judge Margot Tuach on Wednesday, 25th March. A
Fund-raising Raffle has been launched with some fabulous prizes including a
four day week-end at "Little Seascape" compliments of Sam and Diana Mahon, a
Citizen Diving Watch compliments Colombian Emeralds. Vouchers compliments
Estelle St. John of Sparadise Barbados, a mini car valet compliments Details
Car valet and a dinner voucher compliments Lord Willoughby's Tavern.
Chances are only $5.00. so please support our Junior surfers.
One of our Junior team members, Jordan Heasselgrave has just returned from
competing at the 2009 Quiksilver King Of The Groms USA Qualifier which took
place in the chilly waters of Santa Cruz on Saturday February 28, 2009 with
fun 1-3 foot waves.
The KOG U16 utilizes a "skins" format that offers the kids 2 opportunities
to surf if they don't win their heats. For those that do advance, they have
the chance to catch fire and get on a roll and each "skin" is worth $100.
Andrew Jacobson opened up his account with a trifecta nailing 3 "skins" from
heat 3 that would not be contested until the 2nd round hit the water. That
is when Jordan came scorching out of the blocks and rallied hard to catch
Jacobson's 3 with a forehand attack that saw the most consistently high
scoring claims of the event! This forced the KOG into a sudden death "surf
off." Heaselgrave and Jacobson both opened up solid, but held out on
claiming rides in the mid 6 and 7 range. Then it was Jacobson who dealt the
final blow at around the 10 minute when he got an 8.66 ride and the title of
Quiksilver's King Of The Groms. Congrats to Jordan on his excellent
performance!!
SURFER OF THE YEAR EVENT # 2 THIS WEEK-END!!
The next event on our Calendar is SOTY 2 which takes place next week-end,
March 14 and 15. Option 1 is Brandens, Option 2 is South Point and Option 3
is Long Beach. However, with a big north swell predicted, the contest may
move to another venue. The final call regarding the venue will be made on
Friday at midday. Remember the contest starts at 8:00 a.m. and that entries
close at 7:30 am. The format will be as it was for SOTY 1 i.e. Saturday -
Open; Junior Boys Under 21 & Under 16; Ladies & Girls Under 18 and Bodyboard
. Sunday - Senior Men (28 and over); Under 12; Menehune; Longboard;
Masters and Grand Masters. Look forward to seeing you all there!!