Owen Wright (Lennox Head, NSW) today claimed his fourth consecutive ASP Australasia Pro Junior Title today, with a convincing victory at the Chill Pro Junior at Trigg Point, Western Australia. The $6000 winner’s cheque means that Owen Wright has now won more prize money than any other surfer in the history of the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series.

At just 19 years of age, Wright now sits clearly on top of the ASP Australasia Pro Junior ratings, as well as holding down third place on the ASP World Qualifying Series ratings.

The best surf of the event was saved for the finals where clean two feet waves allowed for some true high performance surfing, with all finalists stepping up to the challenge.

Wright’s scores in the 30 minute final against Noah Lane (Rainbow Beach, QLD) reflect his total dominance of the three day event. He locked in a 9.50 ride in the opening minutes which set him up for the rest of the final. He went on to score a back up 8.90 to finish with a combined total of 18.40 from a possible twenty, the highest total for the entire event.

Wright’s razor sharp forehand attack was perfectly suited to the long lefthanders on offer, with his smooth style and trademark aerial manoeuvrers causing an eruption of applause from the crowds at Trigg Point. Wright was pushed by a determined Noah Lane who persisted with a counter-attack and scored a combined total of 16.50 from a possible twenty.

“I was stoked with the waves we had in the final, we couldn’t have asked for much more. I was a bit worried that the surf was going to be small, especially after three weeks of pumping waves in Bali, but it turned out to be a great final.” Said Wright who will return home to Lennox tonight for the first time in three months after a busy competition schedule.

In the women’s event, local girl Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys, WA) caused an upset to claim her first Pro Junior win. Palmateer defeated event favourite Laura Enever (Narrabeen, NSW) in the semi-finals and carried the momentum with her into the finals, where she defeated Angela Keighran (Mullaway, NSW). Palmateer nearly doubled the score of her rival in the finals, racking up a combined score of 14.25 out of a possible 20, Keighran didn’t look as comfortable at Palmateer’s home break, scoring a combined total of only 7.75.

After the great success of the 2009 Chill Pro Junior at Trigg Point major sponsor Brownes Chill have solidified their commitment to junior surfing in WA, supporting a range of events over the course of the next two years.

Surfing WA Event Manager Justin Majeks said, “It’s great to have Chill on board for a long-term partnership, the brand is a great fit with surfing and their support is much appreciated. It’s important for WA to have an ASP sanctioned Pro Junior event and we’re all looking forward to an even bigger and better Chill Pro Junior in 2010.”

For all results and news from the weekend check out www.chillprojunior.com
The Chill Pro Junior is presented by the City of Stirling and is proudly
supported by Surfing Western Australia, 92.9, Australia’s Surfing Life, Reef,
Filtrate Eyewear, Department of Sport and Recreation and ASP Australasia.
“Sport and Recreation building stronger, healthier, happier and safer
communities”

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The debate continues as to whether or not Kelly Slater will continue the world tour race and his 10th world title. There has been some talk both here and at other places as to Kelly’s position in the title race, but if Kelly is continuing his uphill battle to the title, the comment he makes after the Tahiti event show where is head is at…

Surfing may have been born in Hawaii and raised in Malibu, but it grew up on the golden shores of Orange County. From the breaks at Sunset to the beaches fronting “Surf City” in Huntington Beach south to the legendary line-up at Trestles on the southern border, Orange County has been the spawning ground for generations of great board riders.

The Register salutes the best each year with the annual Orange County Surfer of the Year Awards. The online poll plugs into fans who vote for the best male and female professional rider – maybe a contestant in the worldwide Association of Surfing Professionals circuit or a lone wolf seeking out the biggest waves wherever they form in the oceans of the earth. A prize goes to the best of the longboarders who cruise the waves in their big boards, keeping alive the “hang ten” tradition of their zinc-nose slathered forefathers and mothers.

The awards also honor the next wave of top surfers – the up and coming boys and girls who surf for the fun of it or for their high school or surf team spirit, with perhaps an eye to one day taking on the Kelly Slaters, Andy Irons and Layne Beachleys of the world.

Fans, vote early and often. The last waves of votes will hit the ballot at midnight on July 9. Then the horn blows. The excitement peaks during the U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach, where the awards ceremony will be held at the Walk of Fame at Jack’s Surfboards on July 23.

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