| Perfect waves surfed in Señoritas and Caballeros |
| Tuesday, 24 May 2011 09:00 |
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Long, glassy and perfect waves. The surf peaks of Señoritas and Caballeros keep delivering the best conditions possible to ride waves and show off skills from best junior surfers in the world. The 5-foot walls were breaking under sunny skies and everyone was having the time of their lives in the 2011 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. The first rounds are finally completed, with record-breaking total of 276 surfers giving their best for their nations. Only Team USA stands without any faults with all of their 12 National Team members surfing the main event. Hawaiian Keanu Asing, 2009 Under 16 Boys ISA World Champion, surfed twice and won the two heats he entered. Portugal’s Vasco Ribeiro, the current ASP Europe Pro Junior’s ranking leader, was ripping again and surfed strong enough to post the highest combined total of the second round of 13.93. "I’m feeling pretty good," said Ribeiro. "It was an absolutely tough heat. I tried to do my best and get first place. I was nervous because I had a new board, but after my first wave I was feeling better. Everything worked great, the waves and the contest are really good." Moroccan Ramzi Boukaim gave the surprise of the day after winning his heat against local star Martín Jerí by posting a combined score of 14.50. Francisco Alves from Portugal placed second. The Iberian country is doing quite OK. "Martín Jerí is a good surfer but I managed to catch a good wave and make it through. Unfortunately my team couldn’t come. It’s my coach and I, but it’s not the first time this has happened. I’m having a great time. Being here on my own doesn’t bother me. I’m having fun and everything’s great.", said Boukaim. Other standouts in the division were Carlos Mario Zapata (PER), Luke Davis (USA), Matheus Navarro (BRA) and Cooper Chapman (AUS). All of them had great performances and won their heats posting combined scores of over 11.00 points. The girls hit the water at Caballeros and showed a great surfing level. Johanne Defay (FRA) posted 16.73 out of possible 20, while Sara Baum (RSA) made great use of her backhand attack to score a 9.33 on her best wave. The following seven posted combined scores of over 15.00: Lakey Peterson (USA), Karelle Popke (TAH), Quincy Davis (USA), Nikki Van Diijk (AUS), Bianga Buitendag (RSA), Kulia Doherty (USA), Mauarii Mato (TAH). "It’s really weird out there as there are a lot of waves all over the place," said 2010 Bronze Medalist, Lakey Peterson. "I tried to get a first good wave fast to feel comfortable the rest of the heat. Luckily I did it and now I will maintain my focus and try to win the gold!"
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