Talented Barbadian junior surfer Josh Burke finished fifth at the NSSA South West Open at Seaside Reef in Cardiff, California, on his return to competition last weekend.
Burke surfed very well throughout the event, consistently posting high scores before he was halted by the eventual winner Jake Marshall and second place finisher Noah Collins.
The event coincided with the Barbados National Championships at the Soup Bowl in Bathsheba on Saturday and Sunday and Burke said he was watching the live surf cam of that event.
“I am a little disappointed that I had to miss the Nationals, and when the event is contested in basically perfect conditions it is hard to absorb. However, I am aware this is just one of the many sacrifices that come with pursuing a career in a professional sport when you are a Bajan,” said the ASP Pro Fins Junior champion.
Burke recently finished the ASP Junior season with an amazing victory becoming the first Bajan male surfer to win an ASP Junior event.
That victory pushed him to third in qualifying on the North American rankings for the ASP World Junior Championships in Portugal from October 25 to November.
Burke, who is sponsored by Billabong, LIME, Reef VZ, Rich Price Surfboards, Dakin, Futures and Nixon will leave California three days ahead of this event, which is the highest level of junior surfing in the world. (PR/EZS)
