TEENAGED SURFING SENSATION Chelsea Roett has added a third place finish at the Ripcurl Gromsearch Nationals in California, United States, to her repertoire of international surfing trophies.

She was the winner of the Ripcurl Gromsearch Regionals at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in August this year.

Coach Alan Burke, who took Roett along with other qualifiers Dane Mackie, Chelsea Tuach, Ametza Nicholls and Joshua Burke to the prestigious international event, said: "For these surfers to qualify for this event is an achievement in itself, and Chelsea's podium presence is a plateful of confidence to junior surfers in Barbados.

"What we need now is good sponsorship so these kids can continue to realise their talents and do their country proud," he added.

The coach enthused that Roett surfed an exciting first round, dropped to fourth in the second heat and then collected a final good ride in the dying moments to catapult her to first place and a berth in the final rounds.

In the finals, Roett started strong again but was unable to fend off the aggressive approach of eventual winner Nage Malamed of Hawaii.

Second place finisher Lakey Peterson, of California, eventually got the better of Roett with good paddle tactics forcing Roett to miss a potential good scoring set wave.

Coach Burke added that event was broadcast live via the Internet and was watched by millions worldwide.

"From what I've been told, the commentators did not stop speaking highly of the island. This is tremendous exposure to Barbados," he said.

The team's trip was made possible with the kind assistance of ACP Associates and the National Sports Council. (PR/HLE)