Opening Round of Arnette Queensland Junior Surfing Titles Completed On Gold Coast

(Sunday 7th June, 2009): NOT even a wild storm could slow down the state’s next wave of surfing champions, as the opening round of the Arnette Queensland Junior Surfing Titles was finalised on the Gold Coast today.

A freak storm lashed the region mid-morning, with gale force winds and heavy rain causing contest organisers to place day two of competition on hold until conditions cleared.

When surfing resumed, Queensland’s junior top guns went head-to-head in the race for an early ratings lead, busting out an entertaining, high performance spectacle in clean 2-3ft beach break peaks at Main Beach.

Coolangatta ace Jack Freestone drew first blood in the U/18 boy’s state title race, using plenty of style, flair and class to beat fellow Coolangatta surfer Thomas Woods, North Stradbroke’s Tim MacDonald and Dicky Beach ripper Josh Menger.

After demolishing his opponents in his earlier semi final, Freestone was on the front foot early in the 20-minute final, locking in an 8.00 in the opening seconds before sealing the win with a near perfect 9.67 late in the exchange.

17-year-old Freestone recording a 17.67 combined two-wave total to Wood’s 11.16. MacDonald finishing in third on 9.16, with Menger in fourth on 7.26.

Post final, Freestone says he was stoked to get a jumpstart on his fellow finalists heading into round two of the three-event titles.

“The win gives me plenty of confidence for the rest of the series,” he said.

“I was able to jag a good wave straight after the opening siren and everything kept getting better from that. The win felt good.”

The competition was just as fierce in the U/18 girl’s final with Sunrise Beach star Naomi Stevic getting the better of Coolangatta gidget Amiya Doyle and Chiana Ireland to claim a win.

She notched up a 24.33 accumulative total across two finals to bag the title and leave her opponents to scrap it out for minor placings.

The U/16 boys didn’t disappoint either, lifting the performance bar in a tight, high-scoring final.

Coolangatta ripper and reigning U/16 champion Noa Deane is one step closer to back-to-back Queensland crowns, dominating the last final of the day against Wurtulla’s Eli Steele, Currumbin’s Hayden Welch and Sunshine Beach up-and-comer Harry Bryant.

Deane, who is the son of Gold Coast surfing legend Wayne Deane, notching up a 9.17 and 8.33 on his way to victory in the final.

Deane’s two wave scoring total of 17.50 was enough to secure the win by 4 points over Steele (13.5), with Welch (10.33) in third and Bryant (8.73) in fourth.

Meanwhile, Currumbin’s Eden Putland stamped her authority in the U/16 girl’s division final, demonstrating a mature approach to overcome Coolangatta carver Brodie Doyle, Noosa’s Sophie Callister and Moffat Beach surfer Laura Poncini.

Final scores: Putland (14.33) Doyle (6.64), Callister (6.57) and Poncini (5.27).

In the Arnette Expression Session, the state’s best juniors traded blows across one, 30-minute final.

Coolangatta’s Mitch Duggan won ‘best move’, Noosa’s Hayden Cervi claimed the ‘best air’, while Sunshine Beach top gun Harry surfed away with the best ‘novelty move’.

Round two of the Arnette Queensland Junior Surfing Titles will be held on North Stradbroke Island on June 30 – July 2.

Series winners will join a who’s who of the Queensland surfing scene that have netted state junior titles including reigning world champion Mick Fanning (Coolangatta), world no.2 Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta), world no.3 Bede Durbidge (Currumbin) and world tour competitor Dean Morrison (Coolangatta).

Top seeds from events 1 and 2 will be eligible to compete in the final event on the Sunshine Coast on August 8-9. The top 24 rated – U/16 and U/18 year old boy surfers and the top 8 – U/16 and U/18 year old girl surfers will be invited to contest the final event.

2009 champions will be decided from a surfer’s best three results from the three event series.

Please note: Surfers must meet eligibility requirements as per Surfing Queensland’s ‘Eligibility for selection’ document found on www.surfingqueensland.com in the documents link.

The Arnette Queensland Junior Surfing Titles are proudly supported by WAECO, Australia’s Surfing Life (ASL) Magazine and Surfing Queensland.

The dates and locations for the three-event titles are:

1. Gold Coast June 6-8
2. North Stradbroke Island June 30 -July 2
3. Sunshine Coast August 8-9

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Harry Mayo, an original member of the Santa Cruz Surfing Club of 1936, has been working hard to keep the doors open at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Ian McRae, owner of Hula’s restaurant on Cathcart Street in downtown Santa Cruz, handed Harry a check for $860 for the museum from a Sunday brunch fundraiser back in March.

“Ian serves great food and a nice check to many worthy causes in and around town,” says Boots McGhee.

Boys & Girls Club gets $1,000

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz recently received a check for $1,000 from Wells Fargo Foundation. Michelle Bassi with Wells Fargo Bank presented the check to the club recently.

The funds given to the Boys & Girls Club will be used to help with the updating their Education and Technology Department. The Boys & Girls Club currently has two sites serving over 1,400 youth in Santa Cruz County.

LIFE in New York

“LIFE: A Journey Through Time,” multimedia production by Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom, set to the music of Philip Glass, will receive its New York premiere at the Lincoln Center June 10 under the baton of Marin Alsop. The occasion is a gala to launch the World Science Festival, and to honor the distinguished biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson, who will be celebrating his 80th birthday that evening.

Cleanup at Camp Harmon

Last month, five members of the Surf City Kiwanis Club of Santa Cruz: Darwin Hoogenson, Lou Schlumbrecht, Don O’Brien, Jim Riss and Paul Crawford, along with Doug Patrick of the county Commission on Disabilities, spent more than 50 hours on improvements to Easter Seals’ Camp Harmon in Boulder Creek.The crew painted bookcases and storage units in the various camper cabins and enclosed the camp’s stage area and disabled access ramps with plywood sheeting to improve accessibility to the stage.

Over the years, the Kiwanis Club of Surf City, Santa Cruz has sponsored numerous work parties at Camp Harmon, supplying not only all the materials and paint, but more importantly the labor, all as part of Kiwanis’ goal of making the children of our community “Priority one.” As part of its Youth Services programs, Surf City Kiwanis Club also sponsors Boy Scout Pack 633, Cub Scout Pack 616, the Soquel High Key Club, and a number of Little League, Gals Softball and other youth programs.

Awards and honors

• Laura Anne Mello has graduated with honors from Golden Gate University in San Francisco with a double master’s degree in psychology and industrial organization and a graduate certification in conflict resolution. She was awarded the Outstanding Student Award in psychology.

Laura is the daughter of Cindy Moore of Scotts Valley and David and Mary Mello of Scotts Valley. Laura is a graduate of Soquel High School and San Francisco State University.

• Scotts Valley Rotary recently honored the hard-working students of Scotts Valley MiIddle and High School at an awards dinner recently. Winners include: Dudley Mikesell Award for Community Service to Grace Berg; Outstanding Achievement Performing Arts to Arden Kilzer; Outstanding Achievement Visual Arts to Serena Chen; Outstanding Academic Achievement 12th Grade to Emilie Graham, Caroline Sayer, Abby Imboden, Antares Yee and Michael Benko; Outstanding Academic Achievement 11th Grade to Kayla Germany, Lauren Germany, Sharon Chiu, Julia Kernan and Kai Moncino; Outstanding Academic Achievement 10th Grade to Melissa Kumar, Morgan Andrews, Clara Yuh, Maiya Moncino and Catherine Haas; Outstanding Academic Achievement 9th Grade to Renate Mols, Lizzie Zweng, Jordan Rein, Miriam Arghavani and Jaemi Mansfield.

Scotts Valley Middle School Dudley Mikesell Award for Community Service to Sydney Andrews; Outstanding Achievement Performing Arts to Taylor Stone; Outstanding Achievement Visual Arts to Logan Thornley; Outstanding Academic Achievement 8th Grade to Marielle Fesmire, Jessica Granger-Jones, Melissa McGee, Austin Park and Brett Perry; Outstanding Academic Achievement 7th Grade to Mikayla Fish, Brett Klotz, Steve Lonhart, Jason Ritchey and Brett Turner; Outstanding Academic Achievement 6th Grade to Christa Boynton, Melissa Braun, Zoe Hur, Mitchell Pisciotta and Emily Todd.

Scholarship recipients include Samantha Steele, who will study medical technology/environmental science, at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Lindsay Walch, who will study architecture at Brigham Young University; Steven Haas, major to be determined, at UC Berkeley; Alyssa Stanger, who will study marine biology at UC Santa Cruz; Flor Monick Trujillo-Ramos, who will study business administration at Bethany University; and Clara Ricabal, who will study nursing at Cabrillo College.

Politicians gather for open house

On May 8, 110 people gathered at Mission Santa Cruz State Historic Park for Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks’ Spring Open House, “Chocolate & Chitchat.” The Open House showcased Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks’ upcoming summer campaign “Discover Our Backyard,” and provided guests an opportunity to mingle with Friends’ new Executive Director Bonny Hawley, former chief of staff to Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird and former Assemblyman Fred Keeley.

On hand at the event were emcee and county Treasurer Keeley, Assemblyman Bill Monning, county Supervisor Neal Coonerty, Mayor Cynthia Mathews, Santa Cruz City Council members Don Lane and Katherine Beiers, State Parks Superintendent Chet Bardo, Friends’ Board members and staff, and dozens of parks volunteers and supporters.

Silver Slug scholars

The UC Santa Cruz Silver Slugs retirees presented six student scholarships at their May Dessert Event at the Arboretum. Three of the six scholarships were awarded in memory of Bruce Lane, a respected architect who joined UCSC early in 1964, before the first buildings were constructed. Mr. Lane passed away last October and Lane family members were there to award the scholarships.

Recipients of the Bruce C. Lane Memorial Scholarship awards were Joseph Cresalia, business administration; Henry Mun Hong Dea, biochemistry; and Loc Van Do, health sciences. Silver Slug scholarships were presented to Ezekial Bennett, politics; Jay Roldan, computer engineering; and Lane Sharon, biology.

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Arnette All-Day Antics
Presented by Jack’s Surfboards

ASP Grade 3 Mens Pro Junior event
54th Street Newport Beach, California
6 – 7 June 2009

Nat Young Claims ASP Grade-3 Arnette Pro Junior

Newport Beach, Ca — Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 17, won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior Series Grade-3 Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior presented by Jack’s Surfboards in two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at 56th street in Newport Beach, California topping fellow finalists Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 16, Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, and Cody Thompson (Jacksonville, FL), 19.

All surfers competing on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series are battling for their spot at the ASP World Junior Championships held in Narrabeen, Australia each January. ASP North America will send the series’ top three finishers at year’s end to the coveted event, where each surfer earns the chance to claim the prestigious title of ASP World Junior Champion.

Young’s dominating performance in the Arnette All Day Antics explained why he is a threat in every ASP North America Pro Junior Series event. The humble goofy-footer annihilated his competition today and jumped out to an early lead in the Final, posting two average scores before smashing an 8.25 out of 10 on his last wave to solidify the win.

“The Final was kind of weird,” Young said. “There weren’t many good waves, so I just tried to stay busy and keep improving my scores and luckily on that last wave I got two good turns in and got a solid score.”

The Santa Cruz native’s lightning-quick forehand approach and impeccable wave ion on the racy lefthanders at 56th street played a critical role in his impressive showing. ”I think it definitely helps to be on your forehand out here on these lefts,” Young said. “It’s pretty fast, but in the end you’ve really just got to get the best waves out there. It’s whoever gets the best waves.”

The Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior victory by Young will play a critical role in his quest toward requalification for next year’s ASP World Junior Championships and will launch him towards the top of the 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series ratings.

“I’m stoked to win the Grade-3,” Young said. “This is my first win of the year and it’s especially good because of the extra points, so it’s important for this year.”

Asing quietly marched his way through to a second place finish, smashing the 56th street lefthanders on his backhand throughout the event in route to his standout performance. The explosive Hawaiian got off to a slow start in the Final, but worked his way back up the ladder to finish behind Young.

“I’m just really happy to make the Final,” Asing said. “It’s great to come over here and get some points. Congratulations to Nat (Young) and all of the other finalists, everyone was surfing well.”

Asing is hoping his second place finish will help his chances in representing Hawaii at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships next year. “It’s really cool to be able to earn points towards qualification for worlds,” Asing said. “I had fun here and I hope this helps my cause.”

Arrambide, who was the defending Arnette Pro Junior Series Champion, was off to a rough start to his 2009 season, but the defending ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion was back to his usual domineering form en route to his third place result. The Ventura local smashed a seven-point-ride early on in the Final, but could not find another solid score to take out the win.

“I was definitely nervous coming in to this contest,” Arrambide said. “My first two contests were kind of shockers, but since then, I’ve been training harder than ever and I’m stoked to get on a role. I haven’t really had a good heat yet, I’ve just kind of been skimming through.”

Thompson’s Final berth was a notable result for the ASP North America Pro Junior standout, marking his first appearance amongst the final four surfers in three years. The talented Floridian’s fourth place finish at the Arnette Pro Junior helped him break out of his early season slump and Thompson was happy to capitalize on the additional ASP Grade-3 points on offer.

“This is the first Pro Junior Final I’ve made since I was 16,” Thompson said. “I’ve been in a slump, so I’m stoked to have made it here. I’ve had a really bad year. This is the first event that I’ve made it out of my seeded round, so to make it to the Final in this one, a Grade-3, it’s really important to me.”

The next ASP North America Pro Junior Series event will be the ASP Grade-4 Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s from June 28-29, 2009.

For all of the LIVE Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior action log on to arnetteprojunior.com. For additional ASP information check out .aspworldtour.com or .arnetteprojunior.com

Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior Final Results:
1 – Nat Young (USA) 14.25
2 – Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.05
3 – Cory Arrambide (USA) 10.60
4 – Cody Thompson (USA) 8.50

Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior Semifinals Results: (1st and 2nd advance)
SF 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.75, Cory Arrambide (USA) 9.90, Luke Davis (USA) 9.45, Chase Wilson (USA) 7.25
SF 2: Nat Young (USA) 15.50, Cody Thompson (USA) 13.00, Andrew Doheny (USA)11.80, Fisher Heverly (USA) 8.00

Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior Quarterfinals Results: (1st and 2nd advance)
QF 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 15.15, Luke Davis (USA) 13.35, Jeffrey Lukasik (USA) 11.35, Ian Crane (USA) 7.40
QF 2: Chase Wilson (USA) 11.50, Cory Arrambide (USA) 9.25, Evan Geiselman (USA) 7.95, Matt Meola (HAW) 7.35
QF 3: Nat Young (USA) 15.15, Cody Thompson (USA) 11.75, Mike McCabe (USA) 11.55, Granger Larsen (HAW) 10.35
QF 4: Fisher Heverly (USA) 9.90, Andrew Doheny (USA) 8.50, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 8.35, Tayler Brothers (USA) 6.15

Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior Round of 32 Results: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Jeffrey Lukasik (USA) 11.25, Ian Crane (USA) 9.00, Brent Reilly (USA) 8.45, Evan Thompson (USA) 7.50
Heat 2: Keanu Asing (HAW) 17.00, Luke Davis (USA) 11.60, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 7.60, Adam Lambert (USA) 6.95
Heat 3: Evan Geiselman (USA) 16.00, Matt Meola (HAW) 11.75, Ford Archbold (USA) 11.50, Albee Layer (HAW) 10.50
Heat 4: Chase Wilson (USA) 15.00, Cory Arrambide (USA) 10.00, Evan Kane (HAW) 5.95, Balaram Stack (USA) 2.95
Heat 5: Nat Young (USA) 10.10, Mike McCabe (USA) 8.50, Dylan Goodale (HAW) 7.75, Matt Pagan (USA) 7.00
Heat 6: Granger Larsen (USA) 13.75, Cody Thompson (USA) 13.40, Michael Dunphy (USA) 10.35, Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 7: Quinn McCrystal (USA) 10.90, Andrew Doheny (USA) 10.35, Kyle Galtes (HAW) 9.25, Matt Costa (USA) 8.80
Heat 8: Fisher Heverly (USA) 10.35, Tayler Brothers (USA) 9.75, Taylor Thorne (USA) 5.60, Levi Gonzales (HAW) 4.00

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