JUNIOR SURFERS have thrown down the gauntlet as the Barbados Surfing Association rolled out its first Junior Surfer Of The Year (SOTY) and Mini Grom series last weekend at South Point, Christ Church.
The new events renewed old rivalries from last year and also signalled that junior surfers can shred just as hard as their older counterparts.
Standout performers were Joshua Burke who, with his backhand power surfing, earned the highest average wave total of the contest – 14.03 out of a possible 20, and Jordan Heaselgrave who had the highest wave score, out of two waves, in the Under-18 Boys’ final.
Hard on his heels was in-form Danny Edghill, who at one point looked set to take the title.
For pre-teen Zander Venezia, the Under-10 Boys’ finals was almost a sure thing, but mini groms Axe Garrett and Caleb Rapson still earned appreciative applause in their first outing in a final.
Meanwhile, the rivalry between the Chelseas continued, with Chelsea Tuach drawing first blood on Saturday, beating her namesake Chelsea Roett in the Under 18 Girls.
Tuach, who seemed to revel in the smaller waves, took advantage in a seeming lull in the conditions. Isabella Venezia – who will be crowned 12-and-Under Girls’ champion at the Barbados Junior Surfing Associations awards ceremony in a few days’ time – was third.
The finals also saw a third Chelsie – Chelsie Grant – who placed fourth.
And Che Allan is back to his winning ways.
Hot off a fantastic 2010, which he ended by being crowned the BSA’s Under-12 Boys’ champion, he secured a win in what has become his pet event.
Allan was also a fourth-placed finalist in the Under-18 and Under-16 Boys’ finals, in one case surfing back-to-back events.
 Meanwhile, the older surfers will start their campaign on February 19 when the senior part of the SOTY series heads to North Point, St. Lucy.
Final results
Under-10 Boys: Zander Venezia, Axe Garrett,Caleb Rapson
Under-12 Boys: Che Allan, Jacob Burke, Evan Moll, Zander Venezia
Under-16 Boys: Joshua Burke, Dane Mackie, Danny Edghill; Che Allan.
Under-18 Girls: Chelsea Tuach,Chelsea Roett;, Isabella Venezia, Chelsie Grant
Under-18 Boys: Jordan Heaselgrave, Danny Edghill, Dane Mackie, Che Allan.
