JAYSON HOMAN

Sunday 9th September, 2007: Queenland

young guns Chris Friend (Maroochydore), Mitch Duggan (Coolangatta), Bridey McNeven (Tugun) and Naomi Stevic (Sunrise Beach) are one step closer to realising their professional surfing dreams after winning their respective state junior surfing titles at the third and final round of the Quiksilver Queensland Junior Series at Maroochydore Beach on the Sunshine Coast today.
The four surfers join a who’s who of the Queensland surfing scene that have netted state junior titles including current ASP world no.1 Mick Fanning (Coolangatta), world no.4 Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta), world no.5 Bede Durbidge (Currumbin) and world tour competitor Dean Morrison (Coolangatta).
Formerly known as the Queensland junior titles, the revamped three event series continues to assist Queensland stamp its dominance not only on the Australian junior surfing scene, but also the surfing world.
Today’s finals were staged in contestable 1-metre waves at Maroochydore Beach with swag of the state’s hottest juniors. Battling it out for exclusive Queensland titles across the U/18 boys, U/18 girls, and U/16 boys and U/16 girls divisions.
The 14 surfers who will represent Queensland at the Quiksilver Australian Grommet Titles at Middleton, South Australia in December were also determined.
Blake Ainsworth (Coolangatta) won the blue ribbon U/18 boy’s final today, defeating Chris Friend, James Woods (Coolangatta) and Mitch Crews (Currumbin) to win the third and final round of the series.
I’m so happy, said Ainsworth. It’s my last year in the series, so I wanted to go out with a bang. I can’t believe I won.
Ainsworth jumped of the gates early in the final, netting a high scoring 8.00 from the judges to put his opponents on the back foot.
With five minutes to go, Ainsworth put the result beyond doubt nailing a heat high 9.25 to finish with a two-wave total of 17.25 to Friend’s 16.75.
Despite finishing runner-up, Friend secured the blue ribbon U/18 boy’s state crown on count back from Ainsworth.
With both surfers tied on 1670 rating points from their best two results, contest organisers were required to revert to their third best result. Friend’s 670-points to Rainworth’s 555 were enough to secure the title.
I’m over the moon, said Friend.
My main goal in 07 was to secure the Queensland title. Although I didn’t win today I fulfilled my aspirations.
Meanwhile, Jayson Homan (Noosa) continued to raise the high performance bar in the U/16 boy’s final today, unleashing a lethal attack of forehand manoeuvres to defeat Thomas Woods (Coolangatta), Jack Freestone (Coolangatta) and Zac Starrett (Caloundra).
Homan netted a 6.90 and a 5.00 to finish with a total 0f 11.90 to Wood’s 10.35.
Despite being knocked out in the semi-finals, Coolangatta surfer Mitch Duggan surfed away with the U/16 boys State Crown, narrowly in front of Caloundra’s Nick Edgerton.
In the blue ribbon U/18 girls final, Tugun resident Bridey McNeven exchanged blows with her older sister, Tiana, Currumbin gidget Amy Hubbard and Buderim ripper Dimity Stoyle for the numero-uno position.
At the final siren, McEwen’s (Bridey) two-wave total of 10.90-points was enough to secure victory over Tiana (McNeven), Stoyle and Hubbard.
In doing so, McNeven (2000-points) claimed her maiden State Crown in front of Stoyle (1730). McNeven Tiana (1720) and Hubbard (1530) finished third and fourth respectively.
Sunrise Beach surfer Naomi Stevic capped off her 07 campaign in style, defeating Amiya Doyle (Coolangatta), Brodie Doyle (Coolangatta) and Georgie Roach (Maroochydore) to secure victory in the U/16 girls division today along with bagging an exclusive Queensland title. Stevic finished with 2000-ratings points, 140 clear of Amiya Doyle in second.
Both girls qualified to represent Queensland at the Quiksilver Australian Grommet Titles at Middleton, South Australia in December.
The 2007 QQJS will be decided from a surfer’s best two results from the three event series.
Please note: Surfers must meet eligibility requirements as per Surfing Queensland’s Eligibility for selection document found on http://www.surfingqueensland.com.au
For all event enquiries please contact the Surfing Queensland office on (07) 5520 1165 or check out http://www.surfingaustralia.com/school.aspx?org=100
The Quiksilver Queensland Junior Series is proudly supported by Maroochy Shire Council, Coca Cola and Aqua Sun.