DAY 2 OF THE VISSLA ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWCASED IMPRESSIVE ACTION

Surfing Conditions Improved Allowing The World’s Best Junior Surfers To Perform At The Highest Levels at La Lobería (La FAE) In Ecuador

Griffin Colapinto from Team USA dominated his heat earning a 12.50 total heat score with the help of above the lip critical maneuvers. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle
Griffin Colapinto from Team USA dominated his heat earning a 12.50 total heat score with the help of above the lip critical maneuvers. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

Day 2 of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) was filled with incredible performances by the top junior surfers in the world.

The surfing conditions improved at the left point break of La Lobería (La FAE), in Ecuador. The surf was in the 3-4 feet range throughout the day. The point came alive with 150 yard-long rides when the tide dropped which resulted in long peeling waves from the top of the point all the way to the inside.

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Event site of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship at La Loberia (La FAE). Photo: ISA/ Michael Tweddle

Today showcased the opening Qualifying Round of the Under-18 and Under-16 Girls, who demonstrated their stellar talent, while the Under-18 and Under-16 Boys competed in the Qualifying Round 2.

“Today was an incredible day of competition. Every year, I am amazed by how the performance level only gets higher,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The action is getting more exciting as the do or die repechage rounds start tomorrow. The live webcast has been great and is available all over the world, so tune in wherever you may be.”

The girls divisions kicked off on podium 2, which is approximately 400 yards up the beach from the main contest site. In the Girls U-18, 2013 ISA WJSC Gold Medalist Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) had a strong start in the event becoming the standout of the day, earning 14.66, the highest total heat score of the division, defeating Paola Duarte (CRI, 8.96) and Elen Harding (GBR, 4.57).

The Junior Girls hit the water for the first time in the competition and France’s Kim Veteau was one of the standouts of the day. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales
The Junior Girls hit the water for the first time in the competition and France’s Kim Veteau was one of the standouts of the day. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

For the first time in ISA history, Wales, recognized by the ISA in 2013, fielded a junior team. Displaying strong skills Emily Williams, advanced by winning her first heat in the competition.

Another standout in the division was Peru’s Melanie Giunta. “I am super excited for advancing in first place in my heat. I have been nervous because we don’t have many beach breaks in Peru, but we have been training here as a team. I am very happy for advancing and now its time to cheer on my teammates.”

In the Girls U-16, Australia’s Laura Poncini had the best performance of the day earning a total heat score of 14.00. The Aussie defeated Lilly Von Treuenfels (GER, 4.90) and Betan Lewis (GBR, 1.50).

Simultaneously, the Boys U-16 and Boys U-18 action took place at the Main Podium with Qualifying Round 2.

The boys were not holding back displaying critical airs and big turns, while taking advantage of the conditions to deliver a great show for the hundreds of spectators on the beach and the hundreds of thousands around the world, who watched through the live webcast.

In the Boy’s U-16, Hawaii’s Cody Young had the best performance of the day, earning a 12.80 total heat score. Young defeated Yuki Nakashiro (JPN, 10.33), his team-mate Kaulana Apo (HAW, 9.26) and Kairi Noro (JPN, 5.80). The Hawaiian only rode 4 waves in his heat to advance, posting 6.07 in the first minutes of the heat and later securing his victory with a 6.73 wave.

Another standout of the round was Australia’s Quinn Bruce. With strategic wave choice, the Aussie advanced in first place. “I watched the waves and I knew that everyone was going to the outside, so I stayed in the inside by myself and got a couple of good waves. That worked for me, as I got those little rights that had walls and sections to get through. The waves are really fun and I’m loving it.”

Next up was the Boy’s U-18, where Kanoa Igarashi from United States and Lucca Messinas from Peru, posted some of the biggest scores of the day, earning 16.00 and 14.33 points in their respective heats.

For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://isawjsc.com/2014/results/

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The waves peal right off the rock at the point where the natural wild life lives. Photo: ISA/ Michael Tweddle

The 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship resumes Tuesday at 7:40am with The Morning Show hosted by Beau Hodges with guests from Team Wales.

Following that, the competition will feature:
6 heats of under-16 Girls Qualifying Round 2 (Main Podium)
6 heats of under-18 Girls Qualifying Round 2 (Main Podium)
6 heats of under-16 Boys Qualifying Round 3 (Main Podium)
6 heats of under-18 Boys Qualifying Round 3 (Main Podium)
3 heats of under-18 Girls Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)
2 heats of under-16 Girls Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)
12 heats of under-16 Boys Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)
12 heats of under-18 Boys Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)

The live webcast of the entire 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship is available on www.isawjsc.com

About the International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running the Open Division World Championship since 1964, the World Junior Surfing Championship since 1980, the World Masters Surfing Championship since 2007, the World Bodyboard Championship since 2011, the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival in China, and the World Standup Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship beginning in 2012. The ISA also sanctions the World Kneeboard Titles and the World Tandem Surfing Championship, and will launch the World Longboard Championship in 2013. ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 75 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro and re-elected seven times since. The ISA’s four Vice-Presidents are Alan Atkins (AUS), Karín Sierralta (PER), Debbie Beacham (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).

More on www.isasurf.org

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