Talented Junior’s set a Hot Standard at the SOUL Australian Longboard Titles
Harbord/Nth Sydney surfer Dan McComb walks to the nose and was
the most impressive and high scoring under 18 round one heat winner
Australia’s best young Longboarders took to the windy Port Macquarie waves today with opening round one completed for under 18 Boys and Girls divisions.
While the waves looked small, windy and ordinary from the beach, when these eager and talented surfers actually started riding them they looked way better with all the classic and progressive longboard moves on display.
In the four man heats of round one with 1st and 2nd placed surfers progressing to round three and 3rd and 4th going into the elimination requalifying round two, there were no major upsets however a few notable results were surprising lead by Gold Coast Queensland surfer Clinton Guest (Burleigh Heads) who won the opening heat of the under 18 Boys defeating the highly fancied Bryce Young (Angourie/NSW) who still advanced comfortably to round three in 2nd place.
Young placed 2nd in last years Australian Junior Longboard titles and is a red hot favourite to take out this years event but today’s result clearly showed he won’t have it all his own way here in Port Macquarie.
Pleased to win his opening round Guest said after the heat “Stoked to win and especially to beat Bryce Young who is a fantastic longboard rider – It gives me confidence for sure, I’ve beaten him today so really, if things go my way I can beat him again and even win this event. I’m looking forward to round three.”
Also very impressive and clearly here on a winning mission was Northern Sydney Beaches surfer Dan McComb (Harbord) who posted the highest scoring ride of the round (an 8.5 out of a possible 10), to win through his round one heat.
This is my third time competing in the Australian Junior Longboard Titles and I really feel ready to win this event. My boards are going great and providing I get the right waves I’m feeling like I’m as good a chance as anyone here so I just want to give it my very best shot this year. Winning that heat is a good start for me.”
McComb defeated Sunshine Coast surfer Mitch Surman (Maroochydore) who also progressed in 2nd place and was also impressive with his aggressive attack to the waves going for and pulling off some critical moves.
Fellow Sunshine Coast Maroochydore surfer Luke Potter continued the excellent Sunshine Coast form at this event through the early rounds by posting a strong round one heat win and talented Victorian Adam Lynch (Torquay) was an impressive final heat of round one of the under 18 Boys heat winner.
The Junior Girls also surfed in tough conditions with an outgoing tide, lots of wind and small swells but it did not stop NSW pair Rachel Pinsek and Jess Kelly posting impressive heat wins.
Earlier in the day and enjoying cleaner conditions and better waves, the over 45, 50,55 and 60’s Mens divisions surfed their opening round heats and while there were numerous excellent performances, none came close to former Australian Longboard champion Alan Atkins (Byron Bay) who posted an event high 9.75 along with an 8.5 to notch up the highest heat tally so far of 18.25 out of a possible 20 points in his round one heat of the over 55 Men.
Winds are expected to become more favorable and much better conditions are expected in the coming days which is great news for all competitors here.