Epic conditions test new talent at junior WA surfing champs

Jake Molloy : photo Mario Vassallo

Competitors were greeted with what could only be described as epic conditions for the first round of the Xtreme Surf and SK8 junior series for 2005.  They came from afar a field as Kalbarri in the North of our state through to Esperance in the South.

Offshore winds and a clean 2 metre swell put competitors through their paces during the final day with some amazing surfing unfolding in front of the judges and spectators alike. 

Boards were broken as well as egos, as for some, the waves were more than intimidating.  Dylan Bice (Trigg) was the first to fall victim to Gas Points power.  As he pulled into one of the bigger sets of the day the wave just jacked and virtually sucked dry on the reef as Brice disappeared into the abyss only to be released from it with two pieces of his board.  In what can only be described as true sportsmanship Micheal Short from Margaret River who was free surfing next to event offered Brice his board to use and this was accepted by Brice much to his amazement.   

Cottesloes Dave Delroy –Carr was looking the crowd favourite during the semi finals of the under 18’s posting a total heat score of 18.67 pts out of a possible 20.  The young natural footer pulled into two amazing tube rides which saw him average around 9 points for each, but was unable to replicate his performance in the finals. 

Delroy-Carr opened the final with a 5.67 point ride which was quickly answered by Geraldtons Jake Molloy who posted a 7 point ride.  The lead then changed constantly between all four finalists with Jake Perkins (Kalbarri) notching up an opening ride of 6.2 points and Triggs Jack Bestall throwing down the gauntlet with a 7.5 point opening wave.  Throughout the final competitors went for broke to win the first round and not only gain a psychological advantage, but also much needed points.

As huge fans of spray were sent into the air from manoeuvres performed by the finalists Delroy-Carr snapped his board in two, as Gas Points infamous lip came crashing down on him with just 8 mins to go.  A back up board was provided, but he never really found the form again as he adapted to the new board.  During the board exchange Molloy posted a hefty 8.5 ride with a series of vertical back hand manoeuvres that saw him hold the lead and win the event from Delroy-Carr by 1.24 points. 

“It was pretty amazing out there.  Everyone was just pushing each other wave for wave.  After yesterdays howling onshore conditions and rain I was pretty stoked to see it clean and offshore for today.  I would just like to thank my sponsors and everyone involved with the event and I’m pretty happy with the win” said Molloy. 

Mandurahs Tod Quartermaine paced himself through the event in the Under 16 final.  The 14 year old showed gusto along with 15 year old Shaun Howe from Kalbarri who is more than familiar with powerful surf in his home region.  While Howe posted the highest score in the final, 7.50 points he could not find a decent back up wave to make the cut to win and it was Quartermaine who took out the final by just 1.21 points ahead of Howe.

Source: Global Surf News

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