| Connor O'Leary takes the Ocean and Earth International Teenage Rampage |
| Sunday, 13 December 2009 14:08 |
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Sun, surf, sand and not to mention the Ocean and Earth International Teenage Rampage was pumping at North Cronulla today as local Connor O’Leary (Cronulla, NSW) snuck home against fellow Cronulla surfer Rory Jenkins by just over one point. Early on throughout the contest spectators were treated to some outstanding surfing performances by local ace Rory Jenkins (Cronulla, NSW) and Crescent Head’s (NSW) Ellie-Jean Coffey who both headed the race to maintain dominant lead positions on the Teenage Rampage leader board in their respective divisions. But it was Jenkins’ mate O’Leary who produced what was needed to capture the blue ribbon division with an impressive display of the stylish surfing he has become known for. O’Leary opened up with an impressive 9.50 in his first wave of the day to take a commanding lead in the 25 minute final. “Opening with that wave (9.5) was such a confidence booster and I was ecstatic to get that first score on the board,” said O’Leary. In second behind O’Leary was a gallant Jenkins who made a late charge towards the end of the heat but couldn’t pull off the upset. “It’s so good what Ocean & Earth put on with the Teenage Rampage,” said O’Leary. “We get treated like the professionals with a Competitors Area and even a media launch!” However Jenkins made sure that O’Leary didn’t have things all his way in the final by coming within a whisker of winning. “I couldn’t let Connor (O’Leary) just have the win, it was tough out there and I did the best I could,” said Jenkins. Novocastrian Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW) came in third with NSW South Coaster Matty King (Ulladulla, NSW) in fourth. It was the unstoppable Ellie-Jean Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW), who took out the Under 16 Girls Division final. In second behind Coffey was Cody Klein (Kingscliff, NSW) with Emily Clapoudis (Port Macquarie, NSW) third and April Charles (Cronulla, NSW) fourth. In the 13 Boys Division it was a clash of the ‘J’ names with Merewether’s (NSW) Jackson Baker taking the honours over Warilla’s (NSW) Josh Szele. Baker clinched the title with an all or nothing final wave score of 8.67. In third was Jackson Coffey of Crescent Head (NSW) whilst fourth place went to Jack Germain (Lake Cathie, NSW). The 13 Girls Division saw Holly-Sue Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW) add another trophy to the Coffey family trophy cabinet, winning the tight final from a fast finishing Laura Poncini (Moffat Beach, QLD) , with Cali McDonagh (North Curl Curl, NSW) in third and Renee Heazlewood (Moffat Beach, Qld) in fourth. The ‘Dominelli Ford Wave of the Weekend’ was taken out by Ellie-Jean Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW) who once again who stood out and rose above the rest by posting a phenomenal 10-point ride out of a possible 10 in her semi-final. “I saw the set coming and I needed a decent score. I took a chance, went for the wave and it paid off,” said Ellie-Jean. “I think I’m going to go shopping with the prize money and buy a pair of shoes, maybe two!” Global CEO of Ocean & Earth, Paul Munten, was on hand for the entire event and is excited at the prospect of being involved in unearthing and developing Australia’s future surfing champions. “Our competition aim has always been to deliver an event that provides a solid pathway and support for young and upcoming surfers to head towards the elite level of the sport,” said Munten. “The Teenage Rampage series is all about the kids and providing a competition format that is unique to any other. We want to give each competitor every opportunity to improve their contest surfing and the Teenage Rampage format achieves this,” said Munten. The Ocean & Earth International Teenage Rampage event is held all over the world including countries such as France, Japan and New Zealand promoting growth and development in the junior surfing ranks. In conjunction with the event, Cancer Council NSW launched the new ‘Sun Sound’ campaign. The ‘Sun Sound’ is a special harmony produced by musician Ben Lee in a bid to encourage young people to protect their skin this summer. “We know it's easy to forget to protect your skin when you're out having fun in the sun,” said Sofia Khayech of the Skin Cancer Prevention Unit, Cancer Council NSW. “We hope young people really get behind the ‘Sun Sound' and take it on board as a reminder to protect themselves when they’re outside and hear the Sun Sound”. For a full results of the Ocean & Earth International Teenage Rampage presented by Vodafone, go to the event website link at www.oceanearth.com.au for all heat scores, results, photo and video highlights and news. The Ocean & Earth International Teenage Rampage is presented by Vodafone and is proudly supported by Chilli Surfboards, Australia’s Surfing Life, Dominelli Ford, Westfield Miranda, Rydges Hotel, Triple Bull, The Frog Crew, the Sutherland Shire Council, St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, Cancer Council NSW, Podsurf.TV, and Surfing NSW. Results of the 2009 OCEAN & EARTH INTERNATIONAL TEENAGE RAMPAGE Presented by VODAFONE: Under 16 Boys 2nd – Rory Jenkins (Cronulla, NSW) 2nd – Cody Klein (Kingscliff, NSW) 3rd – Emily Clapoudis (Port Macquarie, NSW) 4th – April Charles (Cronulla, NSW) 2nd – Josh Szele (Warilla, NSW) 3rd – Jackson Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW) 4th – Jack Germain (Lake Cathie, NSW)
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