South Coast surfers on fire led by Owen Wright as Julian Wilson sees his title hopes disappear!
Small waves at Manly certainly didn't effect the performance levels of Australasia's top 20 years and under Pro Junior surfers competing on day three of the Aloha Hornet Pro Junior.
Owen Wright, former World under 16 champion and with a competitive record through the junior ranks that is second to none was the standout. Using every possible section of the small waves he displayed his precise and powered approach which included his trade mark fins free top turns and aerial attacks. Wright is almost leading a charge of exceptional south coast NSW surfers who are coming through the ranks.
ASP Australasia Technical Director Dane Jordan commented on the South Coast area "Hot spots for producing great surfers are common in surfing - like Fanning, Parkinson and Morrison from the Gold Coast a few years ago and before that Jake Paterson and Taj Burrows from WA, but what's happening on the South Coast of NSW is the hottest development I've seen!
"There's around 10 surfers, male and female, from that region who could potentially all be top ten in the world in the coming years - I've never seen anything like it."
Jordan pointed to just a few heats from Day 3 - "Owen Wright dominated his heat ahead of another young South coast talent Ty Watson (Gerroa) who progressed to 2nd place in the four man heat.
"And Wollongong's Parish Byrne kept his hopes of a top four finish to the season and a spot in the ASP World Pro Junior Championships alive by also winning through and the relatively unknown but fast developing Brett Burcher from Mollymook actually defeating the number one seed Mitch Coleborn who placed 2nd behind Burcher with both surfers advancing."
"I'm no expert on the surf down that way but it must be special to nurture surfers like this."
Other big news was the shock elimination of number three seed Julian Wilson (Sunshine Coast). Wilson's hopes to win the Australasian Pro Junior Series Ratings have now disappeared with his elimination and the talented youngster, who went so close to winning the ratings last year, will now have to wait till next season to try again for that prestigious title.
The race is now down to Maroochydore's Mitch Coleborn and Coffs Harbour surfer Heath Joske who looked way more comfortable and posted a strong heat win.
Just 24 surfers remain and organisers opted for an early finish in the ordinary conditions and will start around 7:30 tomorrow to take advantage of a much bigger and better surf at Manly for what is sure to be an exciting action packed final day.
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