Tru Starling going vert at Coolum Beach on day 1 of competition. - WSL / John Andrews
Competitors were greeted with attesting 3-4ft (1.5-2m) waves at Coolum Beach for the first day of the Subway® Surf Series Pro Junior event on the Sunshine Coast today. There was non-stop action in round one as the series leaders were out in full force.
A mid morning ease in southeast winds saw the best conditions of the day for the first few rounds of competition for event six of the WSL sanctioned series. A very competitive field of the world's best juniors saw the Boy's top seeds putting on a show for spectators. A relaxed Mikey McDonagh continued his excellent form for 2017 to progress through his heat to round two of competition.
Mikey McDonagh continuing his stellar run in 2017. - WSL / John Andrews
"We're all in the same boat when conditions are like this. I just got out there and did my best." McDonagh said. "Coming into the event everyone is bringing their a-game and ripping. I'm really happy to be here."
McDonagh is high on the leaderboard for the 2017 Subway® Surf Series going into the final event on the Gold Coast and is a strong contender to qualify for the WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) in 2018.
There were also fireworks in heat six of the day as Tane Bowden impressed the judges with an exciting display of strong rail transitions combined with vertical, fins free surfing to pip Gold Coast local Jagger Bartholomew.
Tane Bowden taking out his early round heat. - WSL / John Andrews
"I've been surfing out here for the last couple of days so I've tried to get used to it. I was feeling a bit frisky going into that heat this morning though, it's a pretty junky swell." Bowden commented.
Both Bowden and Bartholomew will progress through to round two, where Bartholomew will meet McDonagh in heat four to battle it out for a spot in Sunday's quarter finals.
Jaggar Brtholomew throwing buckets. - WSL / John Andrews
"We were lucky that the wind dropped off and it was glassy for our heat, it was pretty fun. I'm feeling good now going into round two this afternoon." Bartholomew said.
Huge Opening Day at Subway Surf Series Sunshine Coast
WSL
Competitors were greeted with attesting 3-4ft (1.5-2m) waves at Coolum Beach for the first day of the Subway® Surf Series Pro Junior event on the Sunshine Coast today. There was non-stop action in round one as the series leaders were out in full force.
A mid morning ease in southeast winds saw the best conditions of the day for the first few rounds of competition for event six of the WSL sanctioned series. A very competitive field of the world's best juniors saw the Boy's top seeds putting on a show for spectators. A relaxed Mikey McDonagh continued his excellent form for 2017 to progress through his heat to round two of competition.
"We're all in the same boat when conditions are like this. I just got out there and did my best." McDonagh said. "Coming into the event everyone is bringing their a-game and ripping. I'm really happy to be here."
McDonagh is high on the leaderboard for the 2017 Subway® Surf Series going into the final event on the Gold Coast and is a strong contender to qualify for the WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) in 2018.
There were also fireworks in heat six of the day as Tane Bowden impressed the judges with an exciting display of strong rail transitions combined with vertical, fins free surfing to pip Gold Coast local Jagger Bartholomew.
"I've been surfing out here for the last couple of days so I've tried to get used to it. I was feeling a bit frisky going into that heat this morning though, it's a pretty junky swell." Bowden commented.
Both Bowden and Bartholomew will progress through to round two, where Bartholomew will meet McDonagh in heat four to battle it out for a spot in Sunday's quarter finals.
"We were lucky that the wind dropped off and it was glassy for our heat, it was pretty fun. I'm feeling good now going into round two this afternoon." Bartholomew said.
Subway Pro Junior Sunshine Coast
Reef Heazlewood and Kobie Enright move closer to taking out the 2017 Australia / Oceania JQS with a win at Subway Surf Series.
The 2017 Australia / Oceania JQS is off to the Sunny Coast for it's second to last stop.
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