July 16 - 22, 2017: Issue 321

2017 NSW STATE JUNIOR SURFING TITLES

NSW'S BEST JUNIOR MALE SURFERS KICK OFF THE WOOLWORTHS NSW STATE JUNIOR SURFING TITLES. 

RAINBOW BEACH, BONNY HILLS - Friday, 14 July 2017 

Day one of the 2017 Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth saw a day of punchy waves and critical surfing as the male divisions kicked the event off. 

Under-18 Boys competitors Callum Robson (Evans Head) and Nathan Rohr (Cronulla) revelled in the playful conditions with both surfers putting on a display of textbook power surfing to post near-perfect wave scores. Both Robson and Rohr topped the morning’s leaderboard for the highest totals and as a result, will bypass tomorrow’s repechage rounds.

Surfing after the first round of the Under-18 Boys, Lennox Chell (Avoca) and George Pittar (Manly) sent a warning shot to their fellow Under-16 Boys competitors with both surfers executing an eclectic mix of turns to post two-wave heat totals in excess of 15.70. Both Chell and Pittar will make their next appearance in the third round of competition. 

The prestigious seven-day event will run from Friday 14th – Thursday 20th July, 2017 and determine the qualifiers for the Havaianas NSW Junior Team for the 2017 Surf Dive N Ski Australian Junior Titles. 

All qualifiers for the Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth were determined by eight individual regional titles, which took place up and down the NSW coastline earlier in 2017.

Former competitors in the Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth include current World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) surfers Owen and Tyler Wright, Matt Banting, Stuart Kennedy, Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever, Ryan Callinan and Connor O'Leary.

The last two days of the event will comprise of the NSW School Surfing Titles.

2017 will be the seventh year Surfing NSW will combine the NSW School Surfing Titles into the event. 

The event will be fully mobile in the Port Macquarie area with Town Beach, Flynns Beach, Light House Beach, Rainbow Beach (Bonny Hills) and North Haven Beach all venue options.

The daily schedule and location will be confirmed via the event hotline at 6:45am each day. The event hotline is 0458 247 212. 

Future Australian surfing champions will receive further help to ride the wave to success, with Woolworths expanding its commitment to the sport to include Surfing Australia’s six affiliated State branches Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles, with 18 events to be run nationally across 6 States in 2017/18. 

At each event, Woolworths will connect its store teams with the sport and celebrate the next generation of champions in local communities in each state.

The Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth is proudly supported by Woolworths, Ocean and Earth, HIF, Australian Skin Cancer Clinics, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Big4 Bonny Hills Holiday Park, NBN, Toyota, Mothernest, Havaianas, Ohana Ocean Athletics and Surfing NSW

Adam Varvaressos - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Darcy Piltz - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Emmett Street - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Ethan Raper - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Gabe Ley - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

George Pittar - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Jay Brown - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Kurtis Vaughan - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Kyen Stuart - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Max Leonard - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Nat Gregory - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Navrin Watson - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Ryan Donohoe - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Tas Grainger - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Will Vignes - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Zach McMahon - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Zac Michael - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

GIRLS DIVISIONS GET UNDERWAY ON DAY TWO OF THE WOOLWORTHS NSW STATE JUNIOR SURFING TITLES. 

RAINBOW BEACH, BONNY HILLS - Saturday, 15 July 2017

A decline in swell saw competitors in the 2017 Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth facing a day of challenging conditions as the first round of women’s divisions got underway.

The drop in swell size didn’t hinder north coast natural-footer Nyxie Ryan (Lennox Head) as she proceeded to nail an array of sections that came her way. Ryan performed a handful of textbook power-turns in her opening Under-16 Girls exchange to post a 17.06 two-wave heat total (out of a possible 20 points) and bypass the second chance repechage rounds.


Nyxie Ryan (Lennox Head) - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Sophia Chapman (Narrabeen), Bodhi Leigh-Jones (Avalon), Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads), Chelsea Green (Taree) and Zoe Ifield (North Entrance) all made a solid impression on the first round of the Under-18 Girls with all surfers locking in a handful of decent scores to claim respective heat wins. All five surfers will move straight through to the third round of competition.


Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads)

Desperate to seal a position back into the main round, Jamie Thomson (Narrabeen) went hell-for-leather in the Under-16 Boys repechage rounds, posting a near-perfect 9.00 ride. Thomson seamlessly linked a chain of giant forehand snaps to post the aforementioned score and edge one spot close to the main draw. 

WOOLWORTHS NSW STATE JUNIOR SURFING TITLES HEAT UP AHEAD OF FINAL TWO DAYS OF COMPETITION


Sunday 16th July 2017

The 2017 Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth saw a day of high scores and upsets as several top seeds were eliminated from the event.
 
After posting the highest wave score of the event in the first round of the Under-18 Boys, Callum Robson (Evans Head) unfortunately struggled to find the same form as he went into the fourth round of competition. Despite only needing a 1.4 scoring wave to move into the runner-up position, Robson opted to go for a hail mary aerial that was deemed to be incomplete by the judges and as a result fell marginally short of Boston Phillips (Sawtell) and Aidan Lewand-Parsons (Ulladulla) who claimed first and second respectively.

Highest event heat total holder Nathan Rohr (Cronulla) was also eliminated from the event in the fifth round of competition following a tightly contested battle with Central Coast surfer Kurtis Vaughan (Bateau Bay) and Jackson Roberts (Bateau Bay) and Tas Grainger (Collaroy).
 
2016 Under-16 Boys NSW Champion Jay Brown (Cronulla) showed he was more than capable of mixing it in the older division, posting a giant 16.67 two-wave heat total to seal himself a spot in the man-on-man quarterfinals. Brown sussed out a variety of punchy lefthanders in the predominate righthand beachbreak to lock-in two excellent wave scores in excess of 8.00 points. Brown will face Central Coast powerhouse Jackson Roberts in the quarters.
 
Nyxie Ryan (Lennox Head) continued to build on her highlight reel worthy performance, posting an impressive 16.66 two-wave heat total to take a win in the third round of the Under-16 Girls. Ryan will meet Elle Clayton-Brown (Corlette) when the event resumes tomorrow.

2017 WOOLWORTHS NSW STATE JUNIOR SURFING TITLES CLOSE IN ON TOMORROW'S FINALS.

Monday 17th July 2017
The 2017 Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth saw a day of triumphant victories, high scores and giant upsets as the event edged towards the final day of competition.
 
After a decent performance at the recent Occy Grom Comp at Duranbah, Carly Shanahan (Wooli) continued to showcase her powerful repertoire of turns in the Under-16 Girls quarterfinals. Shanahan unloaded a flurry of giant forehand snaps in the woman-on-woman heat, notching up a near perfect 9.5 – the highest single wave score of the event so far – to claim the heat ahead of Mackenzie Davidson (Shelly Beach). Shanahan will face Charli Hurst (Port Kembla) in the semi-finals tomorrow.


Day 4: Charli Hurst - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW
 
George Pittar (Manly) continued to build on the momentum he showed in earlier rounds posting an impressive 16.5 two-wave heat total. Pittar showed seamless flow through his turns as he went toe-to-toe and blow-for-blow with fellow event standout Ethan Stocks (Coffs Harbour) who claimed the runner up position with a 16.13 heat total. Both surfers will feature in the man-on-man quarterfinals tomorrow.


Day 4: George Pittar - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW
 
Bodhi Leigh-Jones (Avalon), Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads), Sophia Chapman (Narrabeen) and Tru Starling (Narrabeen) all claimed wins in their respective round three heats to cement a spot into the quarterfinals. All four winners will face off with the round three runner-ups in the two-woman quarterfinals when the event resumes tomorrow.


Day 4: Bodhi Leigh-Jones - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW
 
Taj Watson (Coffs Harbour), Kurtis Vaughan (Bateau Bay), Jay Brown (Cronulla) and Max McGuigan (Maroubra) all put on impressive performances in the Under-18 Boys quarterfinals to earn a spot into the semi-finals. All four surfers will meet tomorrow and battle for the top two spots going into the final. 

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT THE 2017 WOOLWORTHS NSW STATE JUNIOR SURFING TITLES. 

RAINBOW BEACH, BONNY HILLS 
Tuesday, 18 July 2017
The fifth day of the 2017 Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth saw an action packed day of surfing as four new NSW Junior Champions were crowned.
 
After trying to claim a NSW title for the better part of a decade, Max McGuigan (Maroubra) achieved his goal today, claiming the Under-18 Boys division ahead of a blisteringly in-form Jay Brown (Cronulla). After spending a portion of the final on the ropes, McGuigan exploded in the later stages of the heat posting two above-average scores to post an impressive 15.34 two-wave heat total and take the top spot on the dais. As a result, McGuigan has earned a wildcard into the 2018 Australian Open of Surfing.
 
In an all Northern Beaches Under-18 Girls final, Sophia Chapman (Narrabeen) exploded to claim the title ahead of Bodhi Leigh-Jones (Avalon). Chapman remained busy in the battle, catching eight waves and notching up a 13.84 heat total. As a result, Chapman has earned a wildcard into the 2018 Australian Open of Surfing, a short drive away from her hometown of Narrabeen.
 
The Under-16 Boys division saw an all Central Coast dual with Lennox Chell (Avoca) facing Joel Vaughan (Bateau Bay) in the final. Vaughan was able to get an early lead thanks to an excellent 8.2 scoring wave (out of a possible ten points), however Chell used his backside repertoire to post the highest heat total of the event - a near-perfect 9.67 and a 9.00 ride - to give him a two wave total of 18.67 and shoot him into the top-spot.
 
After two semi-final finishes at the recent Occy Grom Comp and Skullcandy Oz Grom Open, Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach) was able to go the extra step in the 2017 Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth, taking out the Under-16 Girls. Picklum was able to find a handful of diamonds in the rough in the final, to post a two wave heat total of 14.16 and get the edge over fellow event standout Carly Shanahan (Wooli). 

The prestigious seven-day event will run from Friday 14th – Thursday 20th July, 2017 and determine the qualifiers for the Havaianas NSW Junior Team for the 2017 Surf Dive N Ski Australian Junior Titles.
 
All qualifiers for the Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth were determined by eight individual regional titles, which took place up and down the NSW coastline earlier in 2017.

Former competitors in the Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth include current World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) surfers Owen and Tyler Wright, Matt Banting, Stuart Kennedy, Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever, Ryan Callinan and Connor O'Leary.
The last two days of the event will comprise of the NSW School Surfing Titles.

2017 will be the seventh year Surfing NSW will combine the NSW School Surfing Titles into the event.
 
The event will be fully mobile in the Port Macquarie area with Town Beach, Flynns Beach, Light House Beach, Rainbow Beach (Bonny Hills) and North Haven Beach all venue options.

The daily schedule and location will be confirmed via the event hotline at 6:45am each day. The event hotline is 0458 247 212.
 
Future Australian surfing champions will receive further help to ride the wave to success, with Woolworths expanding its commitment to the sport to include Surfing Australia’s six affiliated State branches Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles, with 18 events to be run nationally across 6 States in 2017/18.
 
At each event, Woolworths will connect its store teams with the sport and celebrate the next generation of champions in local communities in each state.
 
The Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth is proudly supported by Woolworths, Ocean and Earth, HIF, Australian Skin Cancer Clinics, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Big4 Bonny Hills Holiday Park, NBN, Toyota, Mothernest, Havaianas, Ohana Ocean Athletics and Surfing NSW. 

Results:
Under-18 Boys
1 – Max McGuigan (Maroubra)
2 – Jay Brown (Cronulla)



Under- 18 Girls
1 – Sophia Chapman (Narrabeen)
2 – Bodhi Leigh-Jones (Avalon)



Under-16 Boys
1 – Lennox Chell (Avoca)
2 – Joel Vaughan (Bateau Bay)



Under-16 Girls
1 – Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach)
2 – Carly Shanahan (Wooli)


Under- 18 Girls, 1 – Sophia Chapman (Narrabeen) - photo by Ethan Smith/ Surfing NSW
                                                                                      Sophia Chapman - photo by Ethan Smith/ Surfing NSW

Bodhi Leigh-Jones  - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Zoe Ifield  - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Jamie Thomson - photos by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Anne Dos Santo - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Carly Shanahan - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Charli Allport - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Charli Hurst - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Dane Pullinger - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Emmett Street - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Kasey Hargreaves - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Kiara Meredith - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Max Leonard - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Molly Picklum- photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Teah Van de Wakker - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Day 2: Sunrise - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Woolworths' fresh boost for the next generation of surfers

Tuesday, 11th July 2017: by Woolworths

Future Australian surfing champions will receive further help to ride the wave to success, with Woolworths expanding its commitment to the sport.

Under the new partnership, Woolworths will be the driving force behind Surfing Australia’s junior surfing pathway.

The partnership now includes the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu series, Surfing Australia’s six affiliated State branches Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles, with 18 events to be run nationally, and the Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team.

The Woolworths Fresh Wave award will also be provided to the best and fairest junior surfers at events.

Woolworths Director of Marketing Andrew Hicks said; “As an Australian brand we're proud of a partnership that helps develop the future talent of such an iconic Aussie sport. 

“With the expanded commitment we’re pleased to be able to support more junior surfers in reaching their potential, as well as inspire a fresh wave of surfing talent to take a healthier path to their future success.

“As the major junior events cross the country we’re also looking forward to being able to connect our customers and store teams with the sport and to celebrate the next generation of champions in local communities in each state.” 

Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said; “We’re thrilled to expand our grassroots junior surfing partnership with Woolworths and to cement them as a top tier major partner of Surfing Australia.

“This is the perfect fit given our aligned values and purpose and we are excited to rollout this truly national reaching junior surfing program with Australia’s fresh food people” 

With six-time World Surf League (WSL) Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore already on board as a Woolworths brand ambassador, up and coming WSL World Qualifying Series competitor Soli Bailey will join Gilmore as an ambassador for the partnership.  

Soli Bailey said; “I have come through the development pathway that Woolworths is now supporting and to be still connected to it now as I move forward in my career is an honour. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the future stars of the sport.”

Stephanie Gilmore added; “Woolworths ongoing commitment is a further boost to our sport and will be instrumental in helping continue the growth of future talent as they learn about developing a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

“These Surfing Australia programs are key to our sports growth and making this wonderful lifestyle accessible for all. Woolworths’ support of surfing is fantastic and I’m so proud to be part of the journey.” 

Adding to Woolworths’ partnership assets will be their support of the Surf Dive ‘n’ Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles, Weet-Bix SurfGroms, Surf for Life Project, the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) and the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle including 8 State events and a National Final.

The beach to broadcast partnership will also see Surfing Australia continue to produce content across their digital and broadcast platforms in partnership with Woolworths, including on mySURF.tv and on Surfing Australia TV presented by Woolworths on Channel 9 GO! and Fox Sports. 

The first event of the new partnership is the Woolworths NSW State Junior Surfing Titles commencing at Port Macquarie, NSW on July 14.

For more information, visit www.surfingaustralia.com or www.woolworths.com.au

Photos by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW, 2017.