2009 Suzuki Makka Pro
Jamaican Surfing Assn.
Southhaven St Thomas
4 – 5 July 2009
Barbadians Lewis St John and Chelsea Tuach along with local boy Shane Simmonds shared the championship honors at the 2009 SUZUKI MAKKA PRO surf contest which went off without hitch at the “Makka” surfing beach in Southaven, Yallahs St Thomas on the 4th and 5th of July in 4’-5’ waves.
The event which featured top Caribbean pro surfers attracted 16 pro men, 5 pro women and 12 junior pro surfers along with thousands of patrons to the south coast’s premiere surf contest venue. The event, now in its third year, has taken on the title of “Biggest surfing contest in the English speaking Caribbean and attracted a diverse demographic of spectators from babes in arms to great grandmothers from all sectors of the society.
There was much excitement as Jamaica’s top surfers matched up against the best from Barbados and showed that the Jamaicans are a force to be reckoned with. JSA President Billy Wilmot provided lively commentary throughout the day with help from CSN Director Nic Donawah. There were loud cheers and whistles from the crowd on the beach each time a surfer executed an impressive maneuver and by the end of the day the patrons had become expert surf judges themselves.
MENS DIVISION (US$)
1st Lewis St John BAR $1,200.00
2nd Shane Simmonds JAM $ 700.00
3rd Jordan Heaselgrave BAR $ 500.00
4th Inilek Wilmot JAM $ 300.00
5th Luke Williams JAM $ 250.00
6th Ackeam Philli8ps JAM $ 200.00
7th Icah Wilmot JAM $ 150.00
8th Michael Panton JAM $ 100.00
WOMEN DIVISION (US$)
1st Chelsea Tuach BAR $600.00
2nd Ametza Nichols BAR $300.00
3rd Imani Wilmot JAM $150.00
4th Jessica Williams JAM $100.00
JUNIOR DIVISION
1st Shane Simmonds JAM Trip to Trinidad
2nd Jordan Heaselgrave BAR Prizes
3rd Stefan Corbin BAR Prizes
4th Eneson Lightbourn JAM Prizes
Buondi Pro Junior /Cordoama O’Neill Pro
Presented by Nissan
ASP 1 Star WQS Mens event
Grade 1 ASP Pro Junior Mens event
Praia de Cordoama Portugal
6 – 12 July 2009
Coredoama, Portugal — The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade-1 Buondi Pro Junior got underway today at Cordoama, in South Portugal, kicking off the busy European summer with exciting action displayed by some of Europe’s best Under-21 competitors.
With four foot (1.2 meter) waves breaking at the consistent beach break location, sixteen heats of the Men’s division were completed for the first day of competition. Half of the event’s top seeds were able to get their start in the event, France’s representative Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) and Germany’s Nicolau Von Rupp (DEU) making the difference in their respective match-ups.
Pierre-Valentin Laborde (Hossegor, FRA), 18, a long time regional Top 10 member and event No.1 seed, came up with solid surfing, the young man unleashing his renowned classic technique to easily advance through to Round 3 of the Buondi Pro Junior. Laborde, who posted a good 13.50 point heat tally out of a possible 20 en route to his first heat win of the summer, showed he was in form and focused towards a first good result this summer.
“I came to Portugal to get the dust off my new boards and do some serious training,” Laborde said. “I’ve just received a few new boards and I feel pretty good with that new equipment so I will try to stay focused and keep things going my way if the conditions give us the opportunity to surf well.”
Laborde, who is been a top regional competitor and former ASP World Junior No. 5, has yet to clinch his first ASP European Junior crown and is considered one if the best French hopes towards the prestigious title. The 18-year-old favorite will now take on other event favorite and former ASP European Junior No. 2 Nicolau Von Rupp (Algarve, DEU), the other inform man of Day 1 of competition.
