Australia’s Sam Wrench wins the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Final 2009 in Bali

Sam Wrench (Australia/Ulladulla/Sth Coast NSW) winner of the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Final 2009 today in Bali. Photo: Steve Robertson

Keramas River-Mouth Bail: Sam Wrench today won the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge 2009 final in excellent surf to 5 feet at Keramas River-mouth in Bali defeating French surfer Marc Lacomare.

The 19 year-old from Ulladulla on the south coast of NSW was overjoyed with the win, defeating an elite field of 18 of the world’s best 20 year and under Pro Junior surfers.

“It’s the first and obviously the biggest win of my professional career and it couldn’t have come at a better time” said Wrench after the win.

“I lost my major sponsor at the start of the season and competing has been hard but this win helps in a big way and hopefully proves that I’m well worth sponsoring – the field here was so strong and we have surfed perfect waves all week and it’s amazing to win an event like this – it’s one of the best events in the world for any pro junior surfer.”

Wrench trailed for most of the final after Lacomare opened with a very strong 7 point ride.

It was during the final 10 minutes of the final when Wrench found two clean deep rides and used his proven strategy of scoring long barrel rides that he took the lead and eventually the win.

“It’s such an amazing wave, you can score big in lots of ways, either tube riding, on-face or even aerials and I found getting the  longer tube rides suited me and it worked for me today” said Wrench.

For Lacomare it was his second 2^nd placing at this event and despite being disappointed was gracious in defeat.

“I would have liked to have won this year but unfortunately I’m second again – the contest is so good and the field so strong, we have enjoyed an incredible week of surfing against each other and well done to Sam.”

An inspiring performance was also put on by Hawaii’s Kai Barger today.

Barger suffered a knee injury sustained free surfing two days ago and this morning hobbled to the water’s edge fully braced around his knee to surf his semi-final.

Early in the semi-final he could barely turn on two extremely low scoring rides and most wondered why he even bothered to paddle out.

Half  way through the semi on a good clean medium sized wave, Barger pushed his performance hard, clearly uncomfortable but still showing signs of his renown power and he scored a very worthy 6 point ride putting him in contention.

His following ride was simply amazing, taking one of the largest set waves, Barger unleashed a massive opening bottom-to-top turn and followed up with three more powerful controlled turns, scoring an excellent 8.5 and looked set to take an incredible semi win.

Barger’s injury clearly made it very tough for him in the final 5 minutes and a priority mistake saw Wrench claim the semi final but Barger’s remarkable performance was applauded by all at the event as limped from the water.

With an iced bracing around  his knee after the event Barger spoke of the semi-final performance saying “It was good to get through it and get an excellent score but I feel disappointed now as it was also a missed opportunity, I was so close and it’s frustrating for me right now.”

“The knee was painful throughout each turn and it’s difficult to surf fully braced.”

Sam Wrench won $US20 000 for today’s win, the highest prize purse in Global Pro Junior professional surfing and he joins last year’s inaugural winner Dusty Payne (Hawaii) on the winners list of the Oakley Pro Junior Global Surf Challenge.

The quality of this event was highlighted by the daily scheduling of heats.

With plenty of excellent surf in prime time at an A grade surf location  heats were surfed per day in the following way, 3, 3, 5, 4, 3, 0, 3 and 2– a scheduling unlikely to be matched!

Sam Wrench on the podium. Photo: Steve Robertson

Final Day:

Semi 1: Sam Wrench 14.85 V Kai Barger 14.50

Semi 2: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 15.50, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.66

Final: Sam Wrench (AUS) 14.40 V Marc Lacomare (FRA) 13.65

BSR – LEGIAN BALI – 15OCT2009

BSR pic of the day

Morning of the Earth – LIVE at Manly

Tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.au

Buy tickets NOW or you could miss out!!!

THE MORNING OF THE EARTH LIVE CONCERT EVENT
North Head Sanctuary, North Head Scenic Drive, Manly
Sunday November 8, 2009 – 4:30pm

A worldwide icon of surfing, this seminal 70s surfing movie, Morning of the Earth, which was originally premiered at Manly Silver Screen Theatre in 1972, is now to be reborn as a live music and film event at the iconic North Head Sanctuary as a sunset concert on the green.

Almost 40 years later, the film is still regarded as the holy grail of surf movies and soundtracks.  Created by Australian film maker, Albert Falzon, the film changed the way we relate to surfing showing that surfing was more than a sport — it was also an attitude to life.

The Morning of the Earth Live Concert event will bring to life the full-length film played as the backdrop to performances of the full soundtrack by original writers and performers Brian Cadd and Tim Gaze (Tamam Shud). They are joined on stage by Mike Rudd from Spectrum, brilliant Aussie newcomers Lior and Old Man River and a group of outstanding musicians. Together they create an atmosphere of the 70’s lived out in the sound and sight of today.
The event is a sunset concert on the green, to be held in the beautiful surrounds of North Head Sanctuary.  Set on a huge green field, amongst the old Royal School of Artillery at iconic North Head, bring your picnic blanket to soak up a beautiful summer sunset in this huge field, right on the edge of the ocean.  Food and drink for your picnic experience will be available on the site.  Organisers have also made available a concession ticket for children under 12 in an effort to encourage a family environment.
There will be free STA buses operating from all the key public transport and car parking hubs to get you to the site.  All you have to do is get yourself to Manly!

The Morning of the Earth Live Concert Event is the highlight of The Manly Festival of Surfing.  From November 5 to 8, join legends of the surf and local enthusiasts for one massive celebration of Australian culture.
In what is hoped to be the biggest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, Manly extends an open invitation to all Australians to a non-stop mix of not only board-riding itself, but of music, fashion, art, film and literature too.
Tickets for the Morning of the Earth Live Concert Event are available through www.ticketmaster.com.au and are on sale from Wednesday September 23, 2009.

For more information, log onto www.morningoftheearth.com or www.manlyfestivalofsurfing.com.au.
For further enquiries regarding the Morning of the Earth Concert or the Manly Festival of Surfing, please contact:
Megan Clancy on 02 9977 4969 or 0409 977 282 – centremanager@manly.org.au, or
Chris Moss on 02 9948 2343 or 0414 402 664 – chris@entertainmentmarketinggroup.com.au

little swell makes itself felt… in SoCal…

In the past 24 hours Santa Barbara has had about 20% of its annual rainfall. And the water really looks like it at Campus Point to the west of Santa Barbara. But there are some short period looking west swell waves getting in. They’re really slow and sluggish looking for the most part, but every now and then a couple of waves catch up and sort of get some energy happening for a second or two. Not super crowded in the water, but then again, it could hardly look more suss.

Little ones for the very long boards way down the line at Campus

Waves at the top of the point had their moments.

AMAZING OPP IN SURF INDUSTRY – WA STATE MANAGER

Iconic Brand
Successful Territory
$90K base plus car super and bonus

This brand is an icon in the surf industry marketplace. With a global operation and a strong heritage in Australia, the business is one of the key players in the sector. Maternity leave has led to an initial contract position to manage the entire Western Australian sales operations.

Managing four sales staff and admin, your role will involve driving optimal sales results across all categories including clothing and accessories. The business has one of the largest marketing and sales operations in the industry and as such your role will be to expand their share of wallet in the retail landscape.

This is an opportunity to join an icon in the industry with a territory that can achieve strong results. You will have the backing of a global operation with the autonomy to drive the business across the territory. A background in apparel and/or accessories sales, particularly in the surf industry will be highly regarded. Your initiative, drive and commercial focus will be critical in achieving strong sales results. You will have a passion for the industry and a desire to work with one of the strongest, most stable brands in the sector.

Please contact Nick Chandler at Chandler Macleod for more information.

Ref No. 178NC00087

Nick Chandler
(t) 0407 008 784
(e) nick.chandler@chandlermacleod.com

Not sure what to expect.

Looks like the wind will turn off shore, but with no significant swell. Expect NW winds around 10 mph and drizzle Thursday morning followed by similar but sunny conditions in the afternoon. The bouy shows a small 3+ foot bump in the am then dropping, so I am just not sure a small glassy wave will be present, or just junk. Be sure to check the cameras early.

For those living near Charleston be sure to check out the Joe Hiller Longboard classic and surf expoe on the Island of Palms pier this saturday and sunday. You can get detailed info at www.charlestonwatersport.com

Roberto

Narrabeen Rpt

Um,…there aren’t any waves today

Cronulla report by Aquasea Wetsuit Repairs

Dee Why: Tranquil

Good day for anything except surfing. Sunny, warm and relaxing but it’s flat.

C C

Fine, dry and mild with some high light cloud on the Central Coast this Thursday morning.  A mini repeat of yesterday’s conditions basically.  The swell is smooth and small at 1 – 2 feet from the east.  There is no breeze at the moment but forecast to go west northwest and strengthen later.  High tide 0635 and low tide around 1230.  Local barometer 1002 hpa, 12 degrees C. 64% humidity.   Have a good one.